BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2027: Fully Remote, CHF 5,000 Stipend, Apply by 31 October

The BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2027 is open for applications. Launched to celebrate BOLD's 10th birthday, this fully remote, part-time fellowship gives up to three early-career researchers studying child learning and development a CHF 5,000 stipend, expert science-communication training and a global publishing platform. Applications close on Saturday, 31 October 2026 — here is who can apply and how.

• Programme: BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2027, run by BOLD and supported by the Jacobs Foundation.
• Format: fully remote and part-time — designed to fit around your existing research role.
• Stipend: CHF 5,000 (50% at the start, 50% on completion of all required tasks).
• Fellows selected: up to three researchers worldwide.
• Duration: 4 January – 30 June 2027; roughly six hours per month.
• Application window: 1 September – 31 October 2026; review in November 2026, fellows informed by 1 December 2026.
• Eligibility: active researchers studying any aspect of children's learning and development; no more than 10 years post-PhD (a PhD is not required).
• Apply: in English via the application form on BOLD's official fellowship page (boldscience.org/fellowship).
• Sources: BOLD official fellowship page (boldscience.org); Jacobs Foundation announcement (jacobsfoundation.org, October 2026); Scholarship Union (18 October 2026).

What Is the BOLD Science Communication Fellowship?

BOLD is a global platform that translates research on child learning and development into practical guidance for caregivers, educators and practitioners. Its knowledge network spans researchers, journalists and practitioners worldwide, and the platform is marking its 10th birthday by launching this fellowship — a structured route for scientists to learn to communicate their work beyond academia.

The fellowship runs for six months, part-time and entirely online. Fellows receive mentoring and hands-on training, then produce at least three pieces of content — articles, interviews or videos — agreed with the Editor-in-Chief and published on BOLD's website and social channels. In other words, you leave the programme with published science-communication work on a platform with an international audience.

What Do Fellows Receive?

Per BOLD's official fellowship page, each fellow gets:

• A CHF 5,000 stipend — paid 50% at initiation and 50% at the end, once all required tasks and milestones are complete. It is designed to cover the time and resource investment the fellowship asks of you.
• A writing workshop with BOLD's Editor-in-Chief, Annie Brookman-Byrne (PhD).
• Training on editing — how to edit your own work and your colleagues'.
• A monthly writing club with the BOLD team.
• Video training — sessions with experts on producing science-communication videos for social media and writing for general audiences.
• Mentoring and networking with the BOLD team and partners throughout the six months.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility is broad and global — applicants are welcome from anywhere in the world. You are eligible if:

• You are a scientist studying an aspect of children's learning and development.
• You are an active researcher, no more than 10 years post-PhD — and you do not need a PhD to apply, so early-career researchers at different stages can enter.

The fellowship is specifically designed for researchers passionate about making scientific evidence understandable and useful to caregivers, educators and wider public audiences. If your work touches how children learn, grow and develop, it fits the brief.

What Are Fellows Expected to Do?

The commitment is intentionally light — around six hours per month:

• Attend a virtual introduction in January 2027.
• Dedicate roughly six hours per month to content development and virtual training sessions.
• Produce at least three pieces of content (articles, interviews or videos, as agreed with the Editor-in-Chief), published on BOLD's website and social media channels.

Applications are reviewed by Annie Brookman-Byrne (Editor-in-Chief, BOLD) and Gemma Wirz (Learning Outreach Lead, Jacobs Foundation).

How to Apply: Before 31 October 2026

Applications are submitted in English through the application form linked on BOLD's official fellowship page (boldscience.org/fellowship). You will need three things:

1. A sample article or video — up to 500 words or 3 minutes — explaining a scientific concept relevant to BOLD in language a caregiver can understand. If you have already written or presented for a public audience, you can share that link; otherwise upload a written piece.
2. A written statement (up to 500 words) covering why you want the fellowship and why you would be a good fit.
3. Your CV, including any previous science-communication experience.

The strongest applications show the core skill the fellowship teaches: explaining complex science accessibly. Keep the sample free of heavy jargon, connect your research to something a caregiver or teacher could use, and make your motivation concrete — why this fellowship, why now, what you want to produce.

What Should Interested Researchers Do Right Now?

Today: read the official fellowship page and the Jacobs Foundation announcement, and confirm your research fits the child-learning-and-development scope. This week: draft your 500-word sample and statement — these decide most applications. Before 31 October 2026: submit the form with your sample, statement and CV in English, and keep the confirmation. Successful fellows are informed by 1 December 2026, and the fellowship begins 4 January 2027.

Keeping an accurate research CV matters everywhere: verify your academic numbers with our per-university GPA and grading systems guide and GPA calculator so the credentials on your application are precise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for the BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2027?

Applications opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 31 October 2026. They are reviewed in November 2026, fellows are informed by 1 December 2026, and the fellowship runs from 4 January to 30 June 2027. Submit in English via the form on BOLD's official fellowship page.

Is the BOLD fellowship paid, and is it remote?

Yes to both. Fellows receive a CHF 5,000 stipend — 50% at initiation and 50% on completion of all required tasks and milestones. The programme is fully remote and part-time (about six hours per month), designed to fit around an existing research role, with applicants welcome from anywhere in the world.

Do I need a PhD to apply for the BOLD fellowship?

No. A PhD is not required. You must be an active researcher studying an aspect of children's learning and development, and — if you hold a PhD — no more than 10 years post-PhD. The fellowship explicitly welcomes early-career researchers at different career stages.

Who reviews the applications?

Applications are reviewed by Annie Brookman-Byrne (Editor-in-Chief, BOLD) and Gemma Wirz (Learning Outreach Lead, Jacobs Foundation). You will submit a sample article or video (up to 500 words or 3 minutes), a 500-word written statement and your CV with science-communication experience.

Sources

• BOLD — "The BOLD Science Communication Fellowship" (boldscience.org/fellowship): official benefits, eligibility, expectations, timeline and application details.
• Jacobs Foundation — "BOLD celebrates its 10th birthday by launching the Science Communication Fellowship" (jacobsfoundation.org, October 2026).
• Scholarship Union — "BOLD Science Fellowship 2027 in Global | Paid" (18 October 2026): application form link and deadline countdown.
• Opportunities for Youth / Global South Opportunities (September 2026): corroborating timeline and eligibility.

Note: all dates, stipend figures and eligibility terms above come from BOLD's official fellowship page and the Jacobs Foundation announcement. BOLD lists the application form on its official fellowship page — confirm the live link there before submitting.