Peggy Girshman Idea Grants

Idea Grants help science writers reach diverse audiences and navigate mental health issues

Three projects aiming to empower science writers and communicators to more effectively reach diverse audiences and to express and manage pandemic-related mental health issues have been selected by NASW’s Grants Committee to receive Peggy Girshman Idea Grants. The $15,000 awarded in the latest funding round adds to more than half a million dollars granted since the program’s inception in 2010.

$15,000 in Idea Grant funding awarded

Four projects focused on improving craft and diversity in science writing were selected to receive Peggy Girshman Idea Grants. This year, the NASW Grants Committee received 17 proposals and granted a total of $15,000 to four groups or individuals.

LegalEye will aid access to federal court system

Charles Seife, a journalist, author and professor at New York University, is building LegalEye, an automated research service that will help journalists find new lawsuits that are relevant to their beats and notify them of developments in interesting cases.

Improv your way to better science writing

With support from Peggy Girshman Idea Grant, Katherine Mast, Allison Mills, and Phil Weaver-Stoesz are hosting a workshop using improv—live performance in which the plot, characters, dialogue, and movements develop in the moment—to help science writers become better storytellers.

Putting short science stories on show

In 2016, Diana Crow, started ‘The Best Shortform Science Writing Project (SciShortform), a roundup of excellent short science writing pieces in a variety of genres. Curated by an all-volunteer team of writers and scientists, the list is published quarterly on Medium. This year, SciShortform got a boost from a $2,200 Peggy Girshman Idea Grant from NASW.