The Santa Fe Institute’s Journalism Fellowship In Complexity Science

The application period for the inaugural fellowship is closed.

With the generous support of SFI Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus Bill Miller, the Santa Fe Institute offers a new journalism fellowship for accomplished reporters. National and international journalists with a demonstrated interest in and record of reporting about matters related to complex systems are considered and selected for the paid, residential Fellowship in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The premise of the Fellowship is to transcend the journalist’s shorter-term, deadline-driven reporting focus to explore complex systems science more deeply, to gain an appreciation for the history of and trends in the field, to discover the state and limitations of current scientific theory, to understand the issues underlying current scientific debates in relevant fields, and to interact with the unmatched collection of top scientists collaborating across disciplines at the Santa Fe Institute. With this knowledge, the fellow returns to his or her day-to-day reporting better prepared to convey the interrelatedness of solutions to the complex problems we face.

The Fellowship term is at least two months and up to six months, which provides an immersive opportunity for the selected fellow or fellows to participate in SFI complexity education programs, and to participate in scientific workshops, working groups, offsite meetings such as Business Network Topical Meetings, and SFI Short Courses.

A monthly-equivalent stipend of $7,000 is provided; this amount includes the cost of housing in Santa Fe paid by the selected fellows and their families. This stipend may enhance the Fellow’s existing salary, or the journalist’s employer may offset his or her ongoing salary with the stipend. Enrollment in SFI education programs is provided free of charge. Health care coverage is not provided, nor are relocation expenses. Travel reimbursement of up to $4,000/6 months or $2,000/3 months is provided so the fellow may participate in one or more SFI-sponsored offsite events. Other travel is not covered (except to reimburse top candidates for travel to SFI during an introductory visit/interview prior to the Fellowship).

To ensure immersion in complex systems science, selected fellows are expected to refrain from routine reporting in their normal news media outlets during the Fellowship. (However, maintaining the continuity of ongoing blogging and social media activity by selected fellows is accepted and encouraged.) No specific reporting outcome or product is expected or required of selected fellows.

Selection process

The application deadline for the inaugural fellowship was September 1, 2013.

Candidate journalists are self-identified or are recommended by Santa Fe Institute faculty, staff, or trustees or by their employers or colleagues. Selected top candidates are expected to visit the Institute once for in-person interviews. Final decisions will be made by the Institute’s president.

Application submission requirements

1. Resume or CV
2. Five past examples of professional work that demonstrate substantive past coverage of complex systems-related science or science applied to complex systems issues (accepted file formats include pdf, scan, or active url)
3. Fellowship proposal letter detailing how the journalist intends to use the fellowship to further his or her own journalistic experience and perspective
4. Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the journalist’s work

Eligibility requirements

The Fellowship seeks accomplished, actively reporting journalists.

1. Applicants are considered whose reporting in the national and international news media demonstrate an interest in science or in problems that interdisciplinary science can help address.
2. Each applicant must be able to demonstrate his or her status as an actively reporting journalist (any beat) consecutively for at least the previous seven years. Freelance journalists must be able to demonstrate routine, frequent reporting for the past seven years.
3. Applicants may be reporters, writers, editors, producers, or program hosts. They may work in newspapers, magazines, news websites, television, or radio.
4. Journalists from all countries will compete equally; top priority will be afforded journalists working primarily in the English language.
5. There are no educational prerequisites.
6. Professionals now working primarily in public information, public relations, the trade press, government, or academia without all of the above experience requirements are not eligible.

Stipulations

Selected applicants must agree to the following requirements:

1. To reside in the Santa Fe area for the full term of the Fellowship and to report to work at the Santa Fe Institute on a full-time basis during the Fellowship.
2. To refrain from professional reporting during the Fellowship (continuity of existing blogging and social media activities are permitted and encouraged)
3. To participate in at least one SFI educational program in complex systems or one scientific workshop or working group during the Fellowship
4. To give at least one informal talk during the Fellowship (topic TBD)
5. For international selectees, to obtain required travel credentials including an appropriate visa with a status allowing direct payment and receipt of U.S. payments

Please direct questions to John German, SFI Director of Communications, at  .