Background

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is pleased to launch the second edition of the Africa Science Journalism Awards (ASJA). These prestigious awards celebrate excellence in health, science, and development reporting across Africa. By recognising and rewarding exceptional journalism, ASJA aims to amplify the visibility and impact of science coverage on the continent. This initiative, supported by the Gates Foundation, reflects the SFA Foundation's commitment to advancing science communication in Africa, with additional support from the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ).  

Rationale for the Awards 

The ASJA are dedicated to recognising African journalists who excel in covering health, climate change and environment, and agriculture – thematic focus areas for the SFA Foundation. To further promote credible science communication, the awards include a category for scientists, aimed at amplifying reliable science voices and combating the misinformation and disinformation often found in discussions on science. Additionally, there is a category for editors, aimed at recognising editors who have championed science journalism within their newsrooms by encouraging and expanding coverage of science-related stories. 

In the lead-up to the award announcement, shortlisted candidates will participate in a specialised science journalism workshop. Selected winners will have the unique opportunity to spend three days to a week at a partner academic or research institution, either within their country or regionally, to gain deeper insights into a specific scientific subject of interest through direct engagement with scientists. 

Objectives 

ASJA seeks to: 

• Establish an award that honours excellence in science journalism, focusing on the SFA Foundation's key thematic areas of health, climate change and environment, and agriculture. 

• Expand the pool of science journalists across the continent. 

• Strengthen the capacity of African science journalists, enabling them to gain in-depth knowledge on specific scientific topics. 

Entry Categories and Prizes   

• Best Story – Print and Broadcast 
  This category honours two seasoned journalists, one in print and one in broadcast, whose in-depth and compelling science reporting has significantly shaped public understanding of key issues such as health, climate change and environment, and agriculture. A seasoned journalist is defined as one with five or more years of professional experience in journalism and a proven track record of reporting on science-related topics. Each winner in this category will receive $1,500. 

• Early Career Journalist – Print or Broadcast 
  This category recognises two promising journalists, one in print and one in broadcast, who are in the early stages of their careers and show exceptional potential in science reporting. An early career journalist is defined as one with less than five years of professional experience in journalism. Each winner in this category will receive $1,500. 

• Innovator Award for Editors  
  This award acknowledges two editors who have championed science journalism within their newsrooms by encouraging and expanding coverage of science-related stories. Each winner will receive $2,000.  

• Science Champion: Recognises a scientist or innovator who has effectively utilised online and traditional platforms to elevate the visibility of their work and promote science across the continent. The prize for this category is $1,500. 

Winners will not only receive monetary prizes but also plaques, which will be presented at the World Conference of Science Journalists being held in Africa for the first time, in December 2025. A pitch fee will also be provided, for any stories published as a result of this engagement. 

Submission Guidelines 

Applicants are required to submit their entries as follows: 

• Best News Story: 1 story 

• Early Career Journalist: 1 story 

• Editor’s Award: List of stories published within the stated period that shows commitment to science journalism  

• Science Champion: 1 story 

Important Notes 

• All categories are open to entries from print, broadcast, and online media.  

• Submissions must align with the SFA Foundation’s thematic areas of health, climate and environment, and agriculture. 

• Applicants may submit only one entry in the journalist categories (either Best Story or Early Career Journalist), not both. This distinction ensures a clear separation between seasoned and early-career journalists. 

• Applicants in the journalist category may also submit a separate entry for the Editor’s Award category if they meet the eligibility criteria. 

• Each applicant may submit one entry per category in the Editor’s Award and Science Champion categories. 

• All entries must be submitted through the Agaseke Grants Management System (Agaseke GMS). 

Selection Criteria 

Judges will consider the following:  

1. Impact and Reach 

• The story addresses a significant and timely science-related issue relevant to African audiences. 

• The reporting effectively conveys the importance of the topic and its broader scientific or societal context. 

• The story is well-structured and engaging, ensuring accessibility to a wide audience. 

2. Quality and Creativity 

• The story is well-researched, factually accurate, and demonstrates a clear grasp of the subject matter. 

• Complex scientific ideas are explained in a way that is accessible, engaging, and easy to understand. 

• The storytelling approach is original and compelling, with a strong narrative that captivates the audience. 

• The journalist demonstrates creativity in framing the story, using innovative angles or storytelling techniques to enhance reader or viewer interest. 

• The piece demonstrates strong journalistic integrity, thorough research, and responsible reporting. 

For Scientists (Science Champion Award Category) 

• Applicants must submit original science-related content they have authored or contributed to, which may include op-eds, short stories, feature articles, or broadcast pieces such as interviews. 

• Submissions will be judged on clarity, accuracy, and effectiveness in communicating scientific concepts to non-expert audiences. The evaluation will focus solely on the submitted work, and not external factors such as media outreach, public engagement, or audience reach. 

• Judges will assess how well the applicant translates complex scientific topics into accessible and engaging content and the overall impact of their storytelling in advancing public understanding of science.  

For Editors (Innovator Award for Editors) 

• Applicants must submit science stories or pieces they have edited and published, either in print or broadcast. Submissions should clearly display the editor’s role in refining, shaping, and enhancing science journalism. 

• Judging will be based on the quality of the submitted work, including the depth, accuracy, and impact of the science reporting. Consideration will not be given to external newsroom factors such as audience reach, engagement metrics, or organisational policies beyond the editor’s direct influence. 

• Judges will evaluate how effectively the submitted stories contribute to high-quality science journalism and enhance public understanding of scientific topics. 

Eligibility Criteria 

• Submissions must have been published between January 2024 and June 30th, 2025 

• Open to journalists who are citizens or permanent residents of an African country, and who are permanently or primarily resident in Africa, working in local or international print, broadcast, or online media. Submissions may be published by either local or international outlets, provided the reporting is rooted in the African context. 

• Entries must focus on health, climate and environment, or agriculture, as outlined by the SFA Foundation’s thematic areas. 

• Editors applying for the Editor’s Award must represent publications based only in Africa. 

Transparency and Disclosure 

Applicants must disclose if their submitted story was supported by a reporting grant, received an external reporting fee, or benefited from any external assistance. This will not affect eligibility but is required for transparency and to manage any potential conflicts of interest. 

Application Deadline 

All applications must be submitted via the Agaseke Grants Management System by 4July 2025, 1700HRS East African Time (EAT).  

Contact Information 

For further details or inquiries, write to: [email protected] 

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FAQs   

Who is eligible to apply? 

Any African journalist, permanently or primarily residing in Africa, working in local or international print, broadcast, or online media, who has published a story in line with the SFA Foundation’s thematic areas of health, climate change and environment, and agriculture, within the stated award period. 

Can I submit multiple entries? 

Applicants may submit in only one journalist category—either Best Story or Early Career Journalist—not both. However, they may submit one entry each for the Editor’s Award and Science Champion categories.  

Do I need to pay an entry fee? 

No, the ASJA submissions are free. 

Can I submit work published in a local language? 

Yes, but an English translation must be provided for judging purposes. 

What if my work was published in a collaborative effort? 

Co-authored or team-produced entries are accepted, but the application must clearly state all contributors. 

How will I know if my submission was received? 

You will receive a confirmation email once your entry has been successfully submitted. 

When will winners be announced? 

Winners will be announced at the World Conference of Science Journalists taking place in December 2025 and finalists will be notified in advance.