Northern California Science Writers Association (NCSWA)

Submit by Feb. 1: Entries open for NASW’s annual awards Each year, the #SciWriAwards recognize some of the best works in science journalism and science writing, as judged by fellow science journalists and science writers. Deadline to enter is Feb. 1, 2026.

DEADLINE ALERT: Enter your best work from 2025 in the National Association of Science Writers' Science in Society Journalism Awards or Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards by February 1, 2026. Discounted entry fees for members. Membership not required:

Students and recruiters: Register now for the NASW Virtual Internship Fair on Feb. 6, 2026 NASW student members looking for great science writing internships or one-on-one networking conversation with editors at news and science organizations are invited to register for the 2026 NASW Virtual Internship Fair.

Seeking excellent candidates for a paid internship in science writing? Reserve your spot at NASW’s Virtual Internship Fair, scheduled for Friday, February 6 from 1-5 PM ET. NASW membership is not required for recruiters, and the “table” is free.


SIGN UP TO RECRUIT:

Brick facade of Jupiter in Berkeley

Join us for NCSWA's annual members' party on Jan. 29 at Jupiter in Berkeley! We'll serve pizza and beer, play games, and give out door prizes. Catch up with your fellow science writers and tell us what you want to see in 2026! Register now: www.ncswa.org/event-6462199

Submit by Feb. 1: Entries open for NASW’s annual awards Each year, the #SciWriAwards recognize some of the best works in science journalism and science writing, as judged by fellow science journalists and science writers. Deadline to enter is Feb. 1, 2026.

Have a piece from 2025 you are especially proud of? The National Association of Science Writers welcomes entries for our Science in Society Journalism Awards and Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards. Membership not required. Submit by February 1, 2026:

Thank you for an amazing #SciWri25!

Attendees: Don't forget to fill out our quick survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/sciwri25

And see everyone next year for #SciWri26 at @oregonstate.edu!

Pumpkin painted with "Drake's Brewing" and a fake headstone behind it

Come to our fall mixer at Drake's in Oakland, Oct. 30! Drop by anytime between 4 & 8 pm and meet your fellow science writers. Look for the table in the courtyard with a 'NCSWA' sign. No RSVP needed -- bring your friends! ncswa.org/event-6396348

#SciWri25 online events begin this week! Not able to join us in Chicago? Want to add to your in-person conference experience? Join us online October 22-24 for a bespoke slate of professional development sessions covering entrepreneurial science writing, AI and more.

Pumpkin painted with "Drake's Brewing" and a fake headstone behind it

Come to our fall mixer at Drake's in Oakland, Oct. 30! Drop by anytime between 4 & 8 pm and meet your fellow science writers. Look for the table in the courtyard with a 'NCSWA' sign. No RSVP needed -- bring your friends! ncswa.org/event-6396348

CapSciComm Networking Social, October 14: Happy OctoBEER! Our series of monthly in-person meetups for science communication professionals and students in the Capital Region is back in Sacramento to celebrate a Happy Ocotobeer together! Drop by Oak Park Br…

Happy OctoBEER!🍻 Gather with your fellow #scicomm professionals & students to celebrate on Tuesday, October 14, at Oak Park Brewing during our monthly networking social. Próst!
#KeepScienceSpicy🌶️

Deets & RSVP info🔽

Join us on Wed., Oct. 8, for a NCSWA members-only lunchtime pitch swap! Bring your pitches and ideas to share for casual feedback, and be ready to offer helpful critiques to others. Sign up here for the Zoom link: ncswa.org/event-6199102

EARLY BIRD CONFERENCE DISCOUNT ENDS TODAY: Take advantage of early bird rates for #SciWri25 and check out the newly added data journalism pre-conference workshop and more discounted hotel rooms.

Registration open through Oct 22. Register by 11:59 PM ET today to save $$!

sciencewriters2025.o...

COMING TUESDAY: #SciWri25 field trip drop! Sign up for a field trip during a new registration beginning Sept. 16. Already registered? Edit your existing registration to add a field trip.

REGISTRATION INFO: sciencewriters2025.o...
PROGRAM: sciencewriters2025.o...

Early-Career Fellowship Program - The Open Notebook Every year, The Open Notebook offers a paid, part-time fellowship program for early-career science journalists. This ten-month program offers fellows the opportunity to explore their career interests ...

Applications are OPEN for our early-career fellowship program supported by the @bwfund.bsky.social!

Work with a mentor to plan, report, and write articles for The Open Notebook and become part of the TON team. 🧵

Fantastical image of a person in a purple sweater and jeans against a background of blue and purple clouds and mountains

Still a few spots left for our trip to "Adventures in AI" at the Exploratorium this Thurs. 8/21! We'll experience the museum After Dark and meet one of the exhibit's science writers & exhibit designers. Sign up here: www.ncswa.org/event-6275340 @exploratorium.bsky.social

Join us for a trip to "Adventures in AI" at the Exploratorium on Aug. 21, 6 - 10 pm! We'll talk with a science writer and exhibit designer who helped bring the exhibit to life, then experience the museum After Dark. Register here: www.ncswa.org/event-6275340 @exploratorium.bsky.social

Chairs, tables, and benches in a peaceful park setting in front of the BareBottle Brewing kiosk

Come hang out with us & @healthjournalism.org in San Francisco! Our summer mixer is July 24, 5 - 7 pm, at BareBottle Brewing in Salesforce Park. For more info & to RSVP: www.ncswa.org/event-6241973

Join us for a weekend camping trip at UC Berkeley’s Sagehen Creek Field Station, just north of Truckee in the Sierra Nevada, Aug. 1 - 3! Registration deadline is Friday, July 18. Come explore and learn about the work of the reserve!
www.ncswa.org/event-6243541

Image description: A person holding a camera. Text reads:" EGU Science Journalism Fellowship 2025. Apply NOW!

Applications are now open for the EGU Science Journalism Fellowship 2025!

Up to €5000 awarded to #journalists reporting on ongoing #research in Earth, planetary, or space sciences.

Apply Now!

📆 Deadline: 17 June 2025.
👉 Learn more: egu.eu/783DX3

Register now for the free May 8 SciWriRoundtable: Reporting in challenging free speech environments NASW members are invited to register for the upcoming, free #SciWriRoundtable webinar “Reporting in challenging free speech environments” scheduled for Thursday, May 8, at 11 a.m. Eastern.

MEMBER EVENT THURSDAY: Join us for year's first #SciWriRoundtable on May 8 at 11:00 ET. Journalists from around the world will discuss their experiences working under constraints on press freedom.

Register for the (free!) event: www.nasw.org/events/...

Not a member? Visit nasw.org/join

Thomas Levenson

Cover of "So Very Small: How Humans Discovered the Microcosmos, Defeated Germs--And May Still Lose the War Against Infectious Disease," by Thomas Levenson

Join us on May 14 for dinner and a conversation with Tom Levenson (@tomlevenson.bsky.social), professor of science writing at MIT, about his new book, "So Very Small." We'll be at Drake's Dealership in Oakland from 6-9 pm. Reserve your spot: ncswa.wildapricot.org/event-6166491

ScienceWriters2025 to be held in Chicago November 7-9 The National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing are excited to announce that ScienceWriters2025 will take place in Chicago, November 7–9, at the Marriott Chicago O’Hare.

BIG NEWS: #SciWri25 has a new location and dates! Get ready to gather in Chicago Nov 7-9. The virtual portion will take place Oct 22-24. Thank you to everyone for your support during this journey.

Details: www.nasw.org/article...

Tom Levenson

Cover of "So Very Small: How Humans Discovered the Microcosmos, Defeated Germs -- And May Still Lose the War Against Infectious Disease," by Thomas Levenson

Join us on May 14 for dinner and a conversation with Tom Levenson (@tomlevenson.bsky.social), professor of science writing at MIT, about his upcoming book, "So Very Small." We'll meet at Drake's Dealership in Oakland from 6-9 pm. Reserve your spot: ncswa.wildapricot.org/event-6166491

There are two weeks left to apply for the Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award! If you are a mid-career science journalist with a big project idea, this award is for you.

Learn more, and apply: casw.org/awards-fello...

Pizza, beer, and a menu from Drake's Dealership

Come join us tomorrow (March 6) at Drake's Dealership in Oakland! Stop by anytime between 4 - 8 pm and hang out with fellow science writers. For more info and to RSVP: ncswa.wildapricot.org/event-6066460

Burnout: Causes and Remedies for Science Communicators This Virtual Networking Social: Mental Health Workshop is brought to you by the NASW Freelance Committee.

THIS THURSDAY: Join us for a special 1.5 hr workshop on burnout with Wendy Marie Ingram, founder and CEO of Dragonfly Mental Health. All members welcome.

Join the March 6 Event: www.nasw.org/events/...

Not a Member? www.nasw.org/join

IRE25 JUNE 19-22 • NEW ORLEANS Discounted Registration For early-career journalists, freelancers and those currently unemployed.

Early-career journalists and freelancers, you can now attend an IRE Conference at a fraction of the usual price!

Check out our super-discounted rate of $199 for #IRE25. Available until March 24.

Register now and join us in New Orleans: www.ire.org/training/con...

San Francisco's rally will be at Civic Center Plaza, March 7, 1-3pm.

Berkeley and east bay folks - we will have a UC Berkeley campus event on Friday as part of this broader day of action — please join us and make your voice heard!

www.standup4scienceberkeley.com

Jacqui Banaszynski, photo credit Missouri School of Journalism

Join us on March 12 for a lunchtime virtual workshop, "The Art of the Interview," with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, professor, and story coach Jacqui Banaszynski. Free for all NCSWA members. Sign up here: ncswa.wildapricot.org/event-6092120

Apply by April 1 for the 2025 NASW Diversity Summer Fellowship Making ends meet on an intern’s salary can be hard. Stipends don’t always cover the full costs of temporarily relocating to a new city or making ends meet while working remotely. Sometimes, prioritizing steps to advance your career can mean putting off other income opportunities that would otherwise serve more immediate financial needs.

SHARE WITH YOUR NETWORKS: Applications are open for the 9th year of the NASW Diversity Summer Fellowship. Awards of $3,000 available for students and early-career science communicators undertaking summer internships.

Learn more and apply by April 1: www.nasw.org/2025Div...