Alicia Patterson Fellowship (includes Cissy Patterson Fellowship for Science & Environmental Writers)

About this program

The Alicia Patterson Foundation awards the Alicia Patterson Fellowship (with a Cissy Patterson designation for science and environmental reporting) to support independent reporting projects by print journalists, providing a $40,000 stipend for a 12‑month fellowship or $20,000 for six months; stipends are taxable and intended to cover travel and research costs. Eligible applicants are U.S. citizens who are full‑time print journalists and non‑U.S. citizens who work full‑time for U.S. print publications (in the U.S. or abroad); freelancers may apply and two collaborators may share a single stipend. Applications are submitted online and must include a typed fellowship proposal (max 3 single‑spaced pages) with a brief summary of four articles, work samples (reporters: two articles; editors: four; photographers: 8–12), a professional autobiography (max 2 pages), a one‑page estimate of costs separating fellowship costs and personal maintenance, and contact information for two references whose letters are submitted directly by referees. Typically 6–8 fellows are chosen each year (semi‑finalists notified by late November, winners mid‑December); employers may supplement stipends without affecting selection, and the foundation does not underwrite books.