The National Association of Science Writers and its Grants Committee are now accepting applications for a new round of NASW Peggy Girshman Idea Grants. All proposals are due on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.
NASW invites proposals from individuals or groups for grants of up to $15,000 to support projects and programs that will help science writers in their professional lives and benefit the field of science writing. Projects must be aligned with NASW’s mission, and should be accessible to U.S.-based science writers. The committee welcomes proposals from journalists, editors, PIOs, staff, freelancers, producers, managers, and others across media professions. Being a member of NASW is not a requirement, though applicants should demonstrate an understanding of the goals and mission of the organization. Applicants located outside of the United States may apply, but all proposals must demonstrate a clear benefit to U.S.-based science writers.
- Please submit your proposal through Submittable by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.
- Attend our NASW Virtual Networking Social on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 to ask your questions about the NASW Idea Grants program and to meet potential collaborators.
What We Look For
The Grants Committee encourages creative thinking, and so, as in past years, the guidelines for Idea Grant proposals are consciously broad. However, the committee prioritizes applications that propose novel projects, events, or resources that the NASW grants program has not supported in the past. Successful past applications have demonstrated how funded work will be sustained beyond the award period. Applicants are encouraged to learn more about the program, review past awards, and read selected proposals from past projects. Before submitting a proposal, please also review our list of Do’s and Don’ts.
Project funds should not support individual works, such as underwriting a single investigative piece or book, but could, for instance, underwrite a study of the state of science writing in the United States, or a resource for science writers. All Idea Grant projects are organized independently of NASW, meaning NASW does not provide web services, event support, or other organizational resources to recipients.
NASW is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are especially interested in projects led by and/or that serve underrepresented audiences and groups. In addition, any funded projects that solicit multiple voices, whether in the form of panels, events, writing compilations, etc. will be expected to showcase a broad diversity of voices from varied perspectives and backgrounds, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical ability, nationality, age, socioeconomic status, and belief. The best proposals will outline plans for diversity, equity, and inclusion in their project development, execution, and outreach.
What to Expect
Applicants will be notified of the NASW Grant Committee’s decision in Spring 2024, and can expect disbursements to begin soon thereafter, pending grantees’ acceptance of the grant contract. Applicants should take this timeline into account when planning events. In general, NASW Idea Grants may not be used to fund costs already incurred. Only direct costs are allowed. Indirect costs are not allowable. Grants of more than $5,000 require additional time for approval by the NASW Board in addition to the Grants Committee.
About the Peggy Girshman Idea Grants Program
Since 2010, the National Association of Science Writers has funded projects totaling nearly $600,000 to benefit science writers. The grant program is named in memory of former NASW board member Peggy Girshman, a founding member of the NASW Grants Committee and longtime advocate for writers.
If you have questions about the grants program or about submitting an application, please contact Sheila Burt, chair of the NASW Grants Committee, at grants@nasw.org. Thank you for your interest!
Join the conversation on social media by tagging #SciWriGrants
Founded in 1934 with a mission to fight for the free flow of science news, NASW is an organization of ~ 2,800 professional journalists, authors, editors, producers, public information officers, students and people who write and produce material intended to inform the public about science, health, engineering, and technology. To learn more, visit www.nasw.org and follow NASW on LinkedIn.
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