The Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW), an organisation committed to improving the quantity and quality of science news reaching the public, is now accepting entries for the 2026 edition of its Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award.
The award, established in 2021, is designed to recognise and support reporting and writing that reflect the high standards set by Sharon Begley (1956–2021), a respected science journalist known for her dedication, skill, strong ethics, and commitment to mentoring others.
The Sharon Begley Award includes a career prize that recognises the achievements of a mid-career science journalist. It also comes with a grant of at least $20,000 to support the winner in carrying out an in-depth reporting project. In addition, each awardee is paired with an experienced senior science journalist who will serve as a mentor, offering guidance and support throughout the project.
Applicants for the Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award are expected to meet specific eligibility and submission requirements. Candidates should have at least 8 to 10 years of experience as working journalists, including strong involvement in science journalism, or provide clear evidence of commitment to the field. Time spent working as an editor also counts toward this requirement. Both staff and freelance journalists from anywhere in the world can apply, as long as their work has been published in outlets accessible to international audiences. While the award can only be won once, applicants are free to apply multiple times.
For submission, candidates are required to present a body of work made up of three to five published pieces that reflect their best work in science journalism. This may include news stories, feature articles, deeply reported columns or analysis, newsletters, book chapters (but not full books), podcasts, as well as video, audio, or multimedia storytelling, provided the applicant both reported and scripted the work. Data-driven stories and visualisations are also accepted.
Where the work is collaborative, applicants must clearly explain their role in the reporting and writing process. For multi-author features, the applicant should have contributed significantly to the reporting. All submitted work must have been published in English, and self-published materials are not eligible.
In addition, each application must include two or three supporting letters. One should come from an editor or publisher familiar with the applicant’s work, while the others should be written by senior journalists. At least one of these referees must be independent, not from the applicant’s current workplace and not someone who stands to benefit from the proposed project.
For full details, see the Rules and Eligibility page and the Application Process page. Applications close on April 30, 2026.
To apply, please click: https://casw.submittable.com/submit/212344/sharon-begley-science-reporting-award.
