Media Fellowships for African-based Journalists to attend Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) 2018

Deadline: September 30, 2018

The call is open for for African-based Journalists to attend 4th Science Forum South Africa (SFSA), taking place on 12 – 14 December 2018 in Pretoria. Created by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) of the government of South Africa, the annual Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) meeting is the largest pan-African general science gathering dedicated to scientific research and innovation.

SFSA2018 will serve as an open, public platform to debate the science and society interface.The two-and-a-half-day programme will bring more than 3500 participants together for discussion and debate in plenary sessions, panel discussions and interactive talks. Leading scientists, researchers, young researchers, journalists, business people, entrepreneurs and innovators, policy makers, science and technology communicators and the general public discuss new discoveries and debate the direction that research is taking in the sciences, humanities and social sciences.

Speakers and panelists are distinguished and carefully chosen thought-leaders from around the world, drawn from science, academia, government, policy and industry. The focus is predominantly about pan-African developments and how they interlink with global trends. In this regard, an increasing number of continental groups such as the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) or the African Union Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) etc. attend SFSA in force. Yet, the meeting also attracts a significant number of non-African speakers and partner organisations from Brussels to Beijing and from Toronto to Tokyo.

SFSA2018 has also initiated a dedicated track of parallel sessions focused on Youth in Science. The large exhibition space, where demonstration events are regularly held, allied to a strong social programme, enhances this ‘melting pot’ of ideas, cultures, experiences and connections that past delegate feedback recognises as the hallmark of SFSA (see further details below).

Grant

One of the main objectives of SFSA2018 is to build links between media and delegates. Their aim is to offer a platform whereby print and audio-visual journalists, editors, bloggers and social media can rub shoulders with speakers and delegates to discuss and report on the latest scientific, policy and civil society developments.

SFSA2018 is thus adding a travel & accommodation grant scheme to support pan-African science journalism. This is being done in partnership with the World Congress of Science Journalists (WCSJ) & SciCom – Making Sense of Science.

Eligibility

• African-based journalists irrespective of their gender, age, nationality, place of residence and media (paper, radio, TV, web) are welcome to apply.
• Media accreditation will be required, as will proof of intention or commission to cover the conference programme.

Application

To submit an application, complete the form here.

On submitting the application form for travel grants, you agree to the full acceptance of the rules and to the decision taken by the Selection Committee.