National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications
This grant honors individuals for outstanding and creative science communication that makes science, engineering, or medicine accessible and engaging to the public.
Funder: Schmidt Sciences
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (submission period opens, projected) | April 2027 (full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: 24 awards total; $20,000 or $40,000 per award; approx. $640,000 total annually
Summary: Recognizes and supports individuals for outstanding, creative science communication that makes science, engineering, or medicine accessible and engaging to the public.
Key Information: Awards are for individual applicants only; work must be published/released in 2026 for the 2027 cycle; open internationally.
Description
This annual awards program, offered by the National Academies in partnership with Schmidt Sciences, celebrates excellence in science communication. The awards honor science communicators, journalists, and research scientists who have developed original, creative work that advances public understanding of science, engineering, or medicine. The initiative aims to build a robust community of science communicators and encourage high-quality engagement that demystifies complex scientific topics and inspires curiosity about issues impacting daily life and planetary well-being. Submissions are accepted across eight categories, including freelance, early-career, and local/regional journalists; graduate student, early-career, and later-career researchers; and independent or organizational science communicators.
