Africa Science Journalism Awards

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is excited to announce the second edition of the Africa Science Journalism Awards (ASJA). These prestigious awards celebrate excellence in health, science, and development reporting across Africa. By recognizing and rewarding exceptional journalism, ASJA aims to amplify the visibility and impact of science coverage on the continent.

📝 About the Awards

The ASJA is supported by the Gates Foundation and the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ). It reflects the SFA Foundation's commitment to advancing science communication in Africa.

Rationale for the Awards

The awards aim to:

• Recognize African journalists excelling in health, climate change, environment, and agriculture reporting.
• Promote credible science communication by combating misinformation and disinformation.
• Include categories for scientists and editors to amplify reliable science voices and champion science journalism in newsrooms.

Objectives

The ASJA seeks to:

• Establish an award honoring excellence in science journalism, focusing on health, climate change, environment, and agriculture.
• Expand the pool of science journalists across the continent.
• Strengthen the capacity of African science journalists to gain in-depth knowledge on specific scientific topics.

🏆 Entry Categories and Prizes

Categories

1. Best Story – Print and Broadcast

   • Recognizes seasoned journalists (5+ years of experience) for impactful reporting on health, climate change, environment, or agriculture.
   • Prize: $1,500 for each winner.

2. Early Career Journalist – Print or Broadcast

   • Honors journalists with less than 5 years of experience who show exceptional potential in science reporting.
   • Prize: $1,500 for each winner.

3. Innovator Award for Editors

   • Acknowledges editors who have championed science journalism within their newsrooms.
   • Prize: $2,000 for each winner.

4. Science Champion

   • Recognizes scientists or innovators who effectively promote science through online or traditional platforms.
   • Prize: $1,500.

🎁 Benefits

• Specialized Science Journalism Workshop: Shortlisted candidates will participate in a workshop to enhance their skills.
• Immersive Experience: Winners will spend 3 days to 1 week at a partner academic or research institution to gain deeper insights into a scientific subject of interest.

📋 Eligibility Criteria

• Publication Period: Submissions must have been published between January 2024 and June 30, 2025.
• Residency: Open to journalists who are citizens or permanent residents of an African country and primarily reside in Africa.
• Focus Areas: Entries must align with SFA Foundation’s thematic areas of health, climate and environment, or agriculture.
• Editor’s Award: Editors must represent publications based in Africa.
• Transparency: Applicants must disclose if their story was supported by external grants or assistance.

🕵️‍♂️ Selection Criteria

For Journalists

1. Impact and Reach:

   • Addresses significant, timely science-related issues relevant to African audiences.
   • Effectively conveys the importance and broader context of the topic.
   • Engages a wide audience through well-structured storytelling.

2. Quality and Creativity:

   • Well-researched, factually accurate, and demonstrates a clear grasp of the subject.
   • Explains complex scientific ideas in an accessible and engaging manner.
   • Uses innovative angles or storytelling techniques to captivate the audience.

For Scientists (Science Champion Award)

• Submit original science-related content (e.g., op-eds, feature articles, interviews).
• Judged on clarity, accuracy, and effectiveness in communicating scientific concepts to non-expert audiences.

For Editors (Innovator Award for Editors)

• Submit science stories they have edited and published.
• Judged on the quality, depth, and impact of the submitted work.

📅 Application Process

• Deadline: July 4, 2025, at 1700HRS East African Time (EAT).
• Submission Platform: Applications must be submitted via the Agaseke Grants Management System.

Submission Requirements

• Best News Story: 1 story.
• Early Career Journalist: 1 story.
• Editor’s Award: List of published stories showing commitment to science journalism.
• Science Champion: 1 story.

📌 Key Dates

• Date Published: May 16, 2025
• Application Deadline: July 4, 2025

For more details, visit the Science for Africa Foundation Africa Science Journalism Awards page.

Apply now via the Agaseke Grants Management System.

• Each winner in the “Best Story - Print and Broadcast” category will receive $1,500.
• Each winner in the “Early Career Journalist – Print or Broadcast” category will receive $1,500.
• Each winner in the Innovator Award for Editors category will receive $2,000.
• The prize for the Science Champion category is $1,500.