The SSN Media Fellowship 2026-2027 is an opportunity for current Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) members who are new to media engagement and want to build the skills needed to communicate research effectively to wider audiences. The fellowship provides selected scholars with year-long mentorship, practical media workshops and tailored support from SSN national staff.
Applications are open for the 2026-27 cohort, with the application deadline set for September 21, 2026. The programme is specifically designed for SSN members who want to expand their media work across television, radio, print, opinion pieces and social media.
Background & Fellowship Description
The SSN Media Fellowship was launched in 2023 to help Scholars Strategy Network members who are relatively new to working with the media develop the confidence, knowledge and practical skills needed for effective public engagement.
The programme recognizes that academic research can have a greater public impact when scholars are able to communicate their findings clearly to journalists, policymakers and broader audiences.
Each year, a small group of SSN members is selected to participate in the fellowship. Fellows are paired with experienced mentors from the SSN network who have established media experience and relevant research interests.
The fellowship combines mentorship with practical training and ongoing support. This structure allows participants to learn from scholars who have already developed successful media engagement strategies while receiving direct guidance from SSN staff.
The 2026-27 cohort is intended for scholars seeking to expand their media engagement but who do not yet have extensive experience working with media outlets.
What Does the SSN Media Fellowship Offer?
The fellowship provides participants with several forms of professional development and media support.
Year-Long Mentorship
Selected fellows are paired with experienced SSN members who have significant experience engaging with the media.
Mentors provide:
- Advice on media engagement
- Feedback on media opportunities
- Guidance on communicating research
- Support in expanding public reach
- Strategies for increasing research impact
The year-long relationship gives fellows an opportunity to learn from researchers who have already developed experience communicating their work to public audiences.
Media Workshops
SSN national staff provide hands-on workshops designed to introduce fellows to the fundamentals of media engagement.
The workshops help participants develop basic skills and understanding for working with different media platforms.
Tailored Media Support
Fellows also receive customized assistance from SSN national staff when media opportunities arise during the fellowship.
This can help participants apply what they learn through the programme to real-world media opportunities.
Media Platforms Covered
The SSN Media Fellowship is designed to help scholars communicate their research across a range of media formats.
These include:
- Television
- Radio
- Print media
- Op-eds
- Social media
The programme therefore goes beyond traditional academic communication and focuses on helping scholars engage with diverse public audiences.
Participants can develop strategies for presenting complex research in ways that are accessible and useful to people outside academia.
Who Can Apply?
The 2026-27 fellowship is specifically open to current SSN members.
The organization states that, due to programme limitations, the application is only open to current members of the Scholars Strategy Network.
The fellowship is intended for scholars who:
- Are current SSN members.
- Are new to media work or have limited media engagement experience.
- Have a relevant research agenda.
- Want to expand their media engagement.
- Are interested in communicating research findings to diverse audiences.
The supplied programme information does not provide additional academic degree, age, nationality or employment requirements. Applicants should therefore consult the official application form for the complete requirements applicable to the 2026-27 cohort.
What Makes the Fellowship Valuable?
For researchers, communicating findings outside academic journals can be an important part of increasing the public reach of their work.
The SSN Media Fellowship provides a structured environment in which scholars can develop media engagement skills while receiving support from experienced researchers and SSN staff.
Participants can learn how to:
- Communicate research findings clearly.
- Engage journalists and media organizations.
- Develop effective public-facing messages.
- Write and pitch opinion pieces.
- Participate in interviews.
- Communicate through social media.
- Respond to media opportunities.
- Adapt research for different audiences.
The fellowship’s mentorship component can also provide scholars with an experienced professional who can offer feedback and advice throughout the programme.
Previous SSN Media Fellows
The programme has already supported scholars working across a range of academic fields.
The 2025-26 cohort included scholars from institutions such as:
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Georgia State University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- University of Connecticut-Hartford
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Bates College
Their research areas include child and family well-being, education, immigration, higher education, political social work, social policy, literature, representation, rural education and racial equity.
This demonstrates the broad range of research interests represented within the fellowship.
Examples of Media Engagement
The SSN website highlights several recent media appearances and publications involving Media Fellows.
For example, Anthony Hernandez published an opinion piece discussing entrepreneurship and Minority-Serving Institutions.
Shannon Lane participated in a podcast discussing voting rights, policy and civic participation.
Sarah Bruhn published an opinion piece addressing local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and sanctuary laws.
Mara Tieken participated in a podcast discussing school closures and their effects on rural communities.
These examples illustrate how the fellowship can help scholars translate academic research into public-facing conversations.
Application Process
Applications for the 2026-27 SSN Media Fellows cohort are currently open according to the supplied programme information.
The application deadline is:
September 21, 2026
Interested applicants should complete the official application form before the deadline.
Because the programme is limited to current SSN members, prospective applicants should first confirm their SSN membership status.
Candidates should also ensure that their application clearly communicates their research interests and their interest in developing media engagement skills.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants can use the preparation period to think carefully about how their research connects with public conversations.
Explain Your Research Clearly
A strong application should make it easy to understand what you study and why your research matters beyond academia.
Demonstrate Interest in Media Engagement
Applicants should clearly communicate why they want to develop their media skills and how stronger public engagement could increase the reach of their research.
Consider Your Target Audiences
Think about the audiences that could benefit from your research and the media platforms through which those audiences can be reached.
Highlight Relevant Experience
If you have participated in public talks, interviews, podcasts, writing projects, community engagement or other public-facing activities, consider how these experiences demonstrate your interest in public communication.
However, the fellowship is specifically designed for scholars who are new to media engagement, so extensive previous media experience is not presented as a requirement in the supplied information.
Important Deadline
The application deadline for the SSN Media Fellowship 2026-27 is:
September 21, 2026
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline.
The programme page specifically states that applications are open for the 2026-27 cohort and that the application is limited to current SSN members because of programme limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SSN Media Fellowship?
The SSN Media Fellowship is a professional development programme launched by the Scholars Strategy Network to help members who are new to media engagement develop skills for communicating research to public audiences.
Who can apply?
The 2026-27 application is open only to current SSN members.
When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by September 21, 2026.
What does the fellowship provide?
The programme provides year-long mentorship from experienced SSN scholars, hands-on media workshops from SSN national staff and tailored support when media opportunities arise.
Which media platforms does the programme cover?
The fellowship addresses engagement across television, radio, print, op-eds and social media.
Is the fellowship suitable for experienced media professionals?
The programme is specifically designed for SSN members who are new to media work, making it particularly relevant to scholars who want to develop their initial media engagement skills.
Does the programme provide a mentor?
Yes. Selected fellows are paired with experienced SSN members who have significant media experience and a relevant research agenda.
How long does the mentorship last?
Mentors support fellows throughout the year-long fellowship.
Is the fellowship open to non-SSN members?
No. The supplied programme information states that the 2026-27 application is only open to current SSN members.
Additional Information
Programme: SSN Media Fellowship
Cohort: 2026-27
Application deadline: September 21, 2026
Eligible applicants: Current SSN members
Target group: Scholars new to media engagement
Programme focus: Research communication and media engagement
Media platforms: Television, radio, print, op-eds and social media
Mentorship: Year-long mentorship from experienced SSN members
Training: Hands-on media workshops
Additional support: Tailored support from SSN national staff as media opportunities arise
Programme launched: 2023
Conclusion
The SSN Media Fellowship 2026-2027 provides current Scholars Strategy Network members with an opportunity to develop practical media engagement skills and increase the public reach of their research.
Through year-long mentorship, hands-on media workshops and customized support, fellows can learn how to communicate research effectively across television, radio, print, op-eds and social media.
The fellowship is particularly relevant to scholars who have strong research agendas but are still developing their experience with media engagement. Previous cohorts have included researchers working across education, immigration, social policy, health and family well-being, higher education, rural communities, race and representation.
Applications for the 2026-27 cohort close on September 21, 2026. Because the programme is limited to current SSN members, prospective applicants should confirm their membership and review the official application requirements before submitting their application.
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