BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️. Applications are open for the BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027, a fully remote, part-time six-month fellowship for active researchers studying children’s learning and development. Up to three Fellows will receive a CHF 5,000 stipend, specialist mentoring, writing and editing workshops, science-video training and the opportunity to publish work for BOLD’s international audience of caregivers and educators. The Fellowship runs from 4 January to 30 June 2027, and applications close on 31 October 2026.
⚠️ Important Accuracy Note
The official programme is called:
THE BOLD SCIENCE COMMUNICATION FELLOWSHIP
and it is aimed specifically at:
🔬 ACTIVE SCIENTISTS RESEARCHING CHILDREN’S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT.
It is:
✅ Fully remote
✅ Part-time
✅ Open worldwide
✅ Six months long
and provides:
💰 CHF 5,000
to each selected Fellow.
However, the CHF 5,000 should be described accurately.
It is a:
FELLOWSHIP STIPEND / GRANT
rather than a salary.
Payment is split into:
💵 50% AT THE START OF THE FELLOWSHIP
and:
💵 50% AT THE END
after the Fellow completes all required:
TASKS
and:
MILESTONES.
Another important eligibility point is:
🎓 YOU DO NOT NEED A PhD TO APPLY.
Applicants must be active researchers, and those who already have a PhD must generally be:
NO MORE THAN 10 YEARS POST-PhD.
🌍 BOLD Science Communication Fellowship: Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | BOLD |
| Programme | BOLD Science Communication Fellowship |
| Focus | Science Communication |
| Research Area | Children’s Learning & Development |
| Number of Fellows | Up to 3 |
| Location | Fully Remote |
| Eligibility Geography | Worldwide |
| Format | Part-Time |
| Duration | 6 Months |
| Start Date | January 4, 2027 |
| End Date | June 30, 2027 |
| Time Commitment | Around 6 Hours Per Month |
| Stipend | CHF 5,000 |
| Payment Structure | 50% at Start + 50% After Completion |
| PhD Required | No |
| Post-PhD Limit | Maximum 10 Years |
| Application Language | English |
| Content Requirement | At Least 3 Pieces |
| Application Opens | September 1, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | October 31, 2026 |
| Fellows Notified | December 1, 2026 |
| Status | Applications Open |
BOLD states that the Fellowship is intentionally designed to fit alongside an applicant’s existing research role.
🏛️ About BOLD
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️
BOLD is a global platform dedicated to communicating scientific knowledge about:
🧠 CHILD DEVELOPMENT
📚 LEARNING
🏫 EDUCATION
💻 TECHNOLOGY
and:
🌍 THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS THAT SHAPE CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT.
Its purpose is to make evidence-based research accessible to:
👨👩👧 CAREGIVERS
and:
👩🏫 EDUCATORS
so that scientific knowledge can be applied beyond universities and research institutions.
BOLD’s knowledge network includes:
🔬 RESEARCHERS
📰 JOURNALISTS
and:
🧑🏫 PRACTITIONERS.
The platform emphasises:
EVIDENCE-BASED INFORMATION
so that audiences can distinguish reliable scientific knowledge from misinformation or unsupported claims.
🎯 What Is the BOLD Science Communication Fellowship?
The Fellowship was created to mark:
🎉 10 YEARS OF BOLD COMMUNICATING RESEARCH ON CHILDREN’S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT.
Up to:
👥 THREE RESEARCHERS
will be selected.
During the six-month programme, Fellows will develop practical skills in:
✍️ SCIENCE WRITING
📝 EDITING
🎥 VIDEO COMMUNICATION
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
and:
👥 COMMUNICATING WITH NON-ACADEMIC AUDIENCES.
Instead of completing only theoretical training, Fellows will use those skills to produce content for:
REAL BOLD AUDIENCES.
🏠 Is the BOLD Fellowship Fully Remote?
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️
✅ YES.
The Fellowship is:
100% REMOTE
and applicants are welcome from:
🌍 ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
There is no requirement to relocate to:
Switzerland
Europe
or:
another BOLD office.
This makes the programme particularly accessible to researchers who want international science-communication training without leaving their current:
UNIVERSITY
RESEARCH INSTITUTE
or:
PROFESSIONAL POSITION.
⏰ How Much Time Does the Fellowship Require?
Fellows are expected to dedicate approximately:
⏰ 6 HOURS PER MONTH
to:
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
and:
VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSIONS.
Because the programme is part-time, it is specifically designed to run alongside:
RESEARCH
TEACHING
UNIVERSITY WORK
or:
ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL ROLE.
💰 How Much Does the BOLD Fellowship Pay?
Each selected Fellow receives:
💰 CHF 5,000.
BOLD explains that the grant is intended to cover the:
TIME
and:
RESOURCES
required to participate in the Fellowship.
💵 How Is the CHF 5,000 Paid?
The stipend is paid in two stages.
First Payment
50% AT THE START
of the Fellowship.
Final Payment
50% AT THE END
after the Fellow has successfully completed all:
TASKS
and:
MILESTONES.
This means the second payment is tied to successful completion of Fellowship obligations.
📚 What Training Do Fellows Receive?
The programme combines direct mentoring with structured science-communication development.
✍️ 1. Writing Workshop
Fellows participate in a writing workshop with:
BOLD’S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
The workshop is intended to help researchers translate technical science into language that is:
CLEAR
ENGAGING
ACCURATE
and:
ACCESSIBLE.
📝 2. Editing Training
Fellows receive training on:
HOW TO EDIT THEIR OWN WRITING
and:
HOW TO EDIT THE WORK OF COLLEAGUES.
This is valuable because strong science communicators must be able to:
REMOVE JARGON
IMPROVE STRUCTURE
VERIFY CLARITY
and:
PRESERVE SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY.
✍️ 3. Monthly Writing Club
Participants join a:
MONTHLY WRITING CLUB WITH THE BOLD TEAM.
This provides regular opportunities to:
SHARE WORK
RECEIVE FEEDBACK
DISCUSS CHALLENGES
and:
DEVELOP WRITING PRACTICE.
🎥 4. Science Communication Video Training
Fellows also receive specialist training in:
PRODUCING SCIENCE COMMUNICATION VIDEOS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA.
This can help researchers learn how to adapt complex findings into:
SHORT VIDEOS
VISUAL EXPLANATIONS
or:
SOCIAL-MEDIA CONTENT.
👥 5. Writing for General Audiences
Training also focuses on communicating scientific research to people who may not have:
SCIENTIFIC TRAINING
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️
or:
ACADEMIC BACKGROUNDS.
The Fellowship specifically focuses on communicating with:
CAREGIVERS
and:
EDUCATORS.
📢 What Will Fellows Produce?
Each Fellow must produce at least:
THREE PIECES OF CONTENT.
Possible formats include:
📝 ARTICLES
🎤 INTERVIEWS
or:
🎥 VIDEOS.
The exact content will be agreed with BOLD’s:
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
Completed work will be published through:
🌐 BOLD’S WEBSITE
and:
📱 BOLD’S SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.
This gives Fellows the opportunity to develop a public science-communication portfolio.
🎓 Who Can Apply?
Applicants need to meet two central requirements.
🔬 Requirement 1 — Research Children’s Learning or Development
You must be:
A SCIENTIST STUDYING AN ASPECT OF CHILDREN’S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT.
Research areas could potentially include subjects such as:
🧠 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
📚 EDUCATION
👶 CHILD DEVELOPMENT
🧬 DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE
🧠 COGNITIVE SCIENCE
🧪 NEUROSCIENCE
💻 CHILDREN & TECHNOLOGY
🏫 LEARNING SCIENCES
or:
👥 SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH
where the applicant’s research clearly relates to children’s learning or development.
🔬 Requirement 2 — Be an Active Researcher
Applicants must be:
ACTIVE RESEARCHERS.
This means the Fellowship is not primarily designed for:
journalists
general communications professionals
or:
content creators
without an active scientific-research role.
🎓 Is a PhD Required?
❌ NO.
BOLD explicitly states:
YOU DO NOT NEED A PhD TO APPLY.
This potentially opens the Fellowship to eligible:
DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
and:
OTHER ACTIVE SCIENTISTS
whose work fits BOLD’s subject area.
⏳ What Is the Post-PhD Limit?
Researchers who already hold a PhD should normally be:
NO MORE THAN 10 YEARS POST-PhD.
This confirms that the programme is primarily aimed at:
EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS.
🌍 Can International Researchers Apply?
✅ YES.
BOLD explicitly states:
APPLICANTS ARE WELCOME FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
There is:
❌ NO NATIONALITY RESTRICTION
and:
❌ NO RELOCATION REQUIREMENT.
🌍 Can African Researchers Apply?
✅ YES.
Researchers based anywhere in Africa can apply if they:
🔬 Conduct relevant research
and:
📚 Meet the career-stage requirements.
The fully remote model means successful African Fellows can participate without relocating internationally.
🇿🇼 Can Zimbabweans Apply?
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️
✅ YES.
Zimbabwean researchers are eligible under the worldwide application policy.
A researcher based in Zimbabwe could be competitive if they are studying areas such as:
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION
LEARNING
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
CHILD HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT
or:
TECHNOLOGY AND CHILD LEARNING.
The key requirement is not nationality.
It is whether the applicant is:
AN ACTIVE SCIENTIST WHOSE RESEARCH RELATES TO CHILDREN’S LEARNING OR DEVELOPMENT.
📝 What Documents Are Required?
Applicants must submit materials in:
🇬🇧 ENGLISH.
The application requires three main items.
1️⃣ Science Communication Sample
Applicants need to provide either:
📝 A SAMPLE ARTICLE
or:
🎥 A SAMPLE VIDEO.
BOLD recommends approximately:
UP TO 500 WORDS
for an article
or:
UP TO 3 MINUTES
for a video.
The sample should explain:
A SCIENTIFIC CONCEPT RELEVANT TO BOLD
in a way that is understandable to:
CAREGIVERS.
🌐 Can You Submit Previously Published Work?
✅ YES.
If you have already written or presented science communication for a public audience, BOLD asks applicants to:
SHARE THE LINK.
If you do not already have published public-facing work:
✅ YOU CAN CREATE AND UPLOAD A NEW WRITTEN PIECE.
Therefore, previous formal science-communication experience is:
❌ NOT AN ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT.
2️⃣ Written Statement
Applicants must submit a written statement of:
UP TO 500 WORDS.
It should explain:
WHY YOU WANT THE FELLOWSHIP
and:
WHY YOU WOULD BE A GOOD FIT.
3️⃣ CV
Applicants also need:
📄 A CV
including any previous:
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE.
This could include:
PUBLIC ARTICLES
BLOGGING
PODCASTS
SCIENCE OUTREACH
PUBLIC TALKS
SOCIAL MEDIA
SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT
or:
VIDEO COMMUNICATION.
👩⚖️ Who Reviews the Applications?
Applications will be reviewed by:
ANNIE BROOKMAN-BYRNE
Editor-in-Chief of BOLD
and:
GEMMA WIRZ
Learning Outreach Lead at the Jacobs Foundation.
📅 Fellowship Timeline
The official timeline is:
📅 September 1, 2026
APPLICATIONS OPEN
🚨 October 31, 2026
APPLICATIONS CLOSE
📋 November 2026
APPLICATIONS REVIEWED
📩 December 1, 2026
SELECTED FELLOWS INFORMED
🚀 January 4, 2027
FELLOWSHIP BEGINS
🏁 June 30, 2027
FELLOWSHIP ENDS.
💻 Is There an Application Fee?
The official BOLD Fellowship page does not publish an application fee.
Applicants should use the official:
ONLINE APPLICATION FORM
linked by BOLD.
Do not pay third parties claiming they can guarantee selection.
📝 How to Apply for the BOLD Science Communication Fellowship
Step 1 — Confirm Your Research Area
Make sure your active research genuinely relates to:
CHILDREN’S LEARNING
or:
CHILD DEVELOPMENT.
Step 2 — Check Your Career Stage
If you already have a PhD, confirm you are:
NO MORE THAN 10 YEARS POST-PhD.
Remember:
❌ A PhD is not mandatory.
Step 3 — Choose a Scientific Concept
Select a concept from your research area that would be genuinely useful to:
PARENTS
CAREGIVERS
or:
EDUCATORS.
Step 4 — Create Your Communication Sample
Prepare either:
📝 An article of ideally up to 500 words
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️
or:
🎥 A video of ideally up to 3 minutes.
Make sure the content is:
ACCURATE
ACCESSIBLE
ENGAGING
and:
FREE FROM UNNECESSARY ACADEMIC JARGON.
Step 5 — Write Your 500-Word Statement
Explain:
WHY SCIENCE COMMUNICATION MATTERS TO YOU
WHY YOU WANT BOLD’S TRAINING
and:
WHAT YOU WOULD CONTRIBUTE.
Step 6 — Update Your CV
Include:
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
PUBLICATIONS
CURRENT ROLE
and:
ANY PUBLIC COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE.
Step 7 — Complete the Application in English
Use BOLD’s official online form.
Step 8 — Apply Before the Deadline
Applications close on:
🚨 31 OCTOBER 2026.
📋 Application Checklist
Before applying, confirm:
✅ Active Researcher
Required.
✅ Researches Children’s Learning or Development
Required.
✅ PhD
Not Required.
✅ Post-PhD Limit
Maximum 10 Years.
✅ Worldwide Applicants
Eligible.
✅ Remote Participation
Yes.
✅ Six-Month Commitment
Required.
✅ Approximately 6 Hours Per Month
Expected.
✅ Virtual January Introduction
Required.
✅ At Least 3 Published Content Pieces
Required.
✅ Science Communication Sample
Required.
✅ Suggested Article Length
Up to 500 Words.
✅ Suggested Video Length
Up to 3 Minutes.
✅ Written Motivation Statement
Maximum 500 Words.
✅ CV
Required.
✅ Application Language
English.
✅ Fellowship Stipend
CHF 5,000.
✅ Deadline
October 31, 2026.
🎯 How to Strengthen Your Application
✍️ Avoid Academic Writing Style
A research paper and a science-communication article are very different.
Avoid:
LONG TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS
EXCESSIVE CITATIONS
SPECIALIST JARGON
and:
COMPLEX SENTENCE STRUCTURES.
Instead, demonstrate that you can explain science clearly without oversimplifying it.
👨👩👧 Write for Caregivers
BOLD specifically wants content that reaches:
CAREGIVERS AND EDUCATORS.
Ask:
Why would a parent, teacher or caregiver care about this research?
Then build your sample around that question.
🔬 Keep the Evidence Strong
Accessibility should not come at the expense of accuracy.
Demonstrate that you can:
TRANSLATE SCIENCE
without:
DISTORTING SCIENCE.
🎯 Choose One Clear Message
A short 500-word article should not try to explain an entire field.
Focus on:
ONE QUESTION
ONE FINDING
or:
ONE IMPORTANT CONCEPT.
🌍 Show Why Communication Matters
Your motivation statement should demonstrate that you understand the gap between:
RESEARCH KNOWLEDGE
and:
REAL-WORLD USE.
📢 Mention Existing Outreach Experience
If you have participated in:
PUBLIC TALKS
SCHOOL OUTREACH
PODCASTS
BLOGS
SOCIAL MEDIA
COMMUNITY EVENTS
or:
MEDIA INTERVIEWS,
include that experience.
Previous professional communications experience is not mandatory, but relevant exposure can strengthen your application.
⚠️ Common Application Mistakes
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️
Avoid:
- Applying when your research does not concern children’s learning or development
- Assuming a PhD is mandatory
- Ignoring the 10-year post-PhD limit
- Submitting an academic abstract as your communication sample
- Writing only for other scientists
- Using excessive jargon
- Exceeding the recommended sample length unnecessarily
- Exceeding the 500-word motivation-statement limit
- Forgetting to include science-communication experience in your CV
- Treating CHF 5,000 as a monthly salary
- Assuming it is a full-time job
- Missing the October 31 deadline
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BOLD Science Communication Fellowship?
It is a six-month professional-development Fellowship helping active researchers in children’s learning and development improve their public science-communication skills.
Is the Fellowship fully remote?
✅ YES.
Participants can join from anywhere in the world.
Is it part-time?
✅ YES.
It requires approximately:
6 HOURS PER MONTH.
How much funding do Fellows receive?
💰 CHF 5,000.
Is CHF 5,000 paid all at once?
❌ NO.
Half is paid at the start and half after successful completion of Fellowship tasks and milestones.
How many Fellows will be selected?
👥 UP TO THREE.
How long is the Fellowship?
⏳ 6 MONTHS.
It runs from:
📅 4 JANUARY 2027
to:
📅 30 JUNE 2027.
Is a PhD required?
❌ NO.
BOLD explicitly states that applicants do not need a PhD.
Can PhD holders apply?
✅ YES.
They should generally be no more than:
10 YEARS POST-PhD.
Can PhD students apply?
Potentially yes, provided they are active researchers studying children’s learning or development.
Can researchers from any country apply?
✅ YES.
BOLD welcomes applicants worldwide.
Can Africans apply?
✅ YES.
Can Zimbabweans apply?
✅ YES.
There is no nationality restriction.
What content must Fellows produce?
At least:
THREE PIECES
such as articles, interviews or videos.
Where will the content be published?
On:
BOLD’S WEBSITE
and:
BOLD’S SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.
Is science-writing training included?
✅ YES.
Is editing training included?
✅ YES.
Is video training included?
✅ YES.
The programme includes expert training in producing science-communication videos for social media.
What documents are required?
Applicants need:
- A science communication article or video
- A written statement of up to 500 words
- A CV including science-communication experience.
What is the deadline?
🚨 31 OCTOBER 2026.
🚀 Final Thoughts
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️. The BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027 offers early-career researchers an accessible way to develop practical communication skills without leaving their existing research positions.
The programme is:
🌍 FULLY REMOTE
⏰ PART-TIME
and:
⏳ SIX MONTHS LONG.
Selected Fellows receive:
💰 CHF 5,000
plus:
✍️ SCIENCE-WRITING TRAINING
📝 EDITING TRAINING
🎥 VIDEO COMMUNICATION TRAINING
👨🏫 MENTORING
and:
📚 MONTHLY WRITING CLUB PARTICIPATION.
The Fellowship is especially attractive because:
🎓 A PhD IS NOT REQUIRED
and:
🌍 RESEARCHERS FROM ANY COUNTRY CAN APPLY.
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026–2027: Earn CHF 5,000 Through a Fully Remote Research Fellowship 🌍✍️
Applicants must, however, be active scientists whose work relates directly to:
CHILDREN’S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT.
The Fellowship begins on:
📅 4 JANUARY 2027
and ends on:
📅 30 JUNE 2027.
Applications close on:
🚨 31 OCTOBER 2026.
📲 Join the Vacancy Bridge WhatsApp Channel
Get funded fellowships, remote research opportunities, science communication programmes, academic opportunities, grants and international career opportunities through Vacancy Bridge.
👉 Join here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vakee9aHFxOyCIBPJA0o
APPLY NOW ON THIS OFFICIAL PAGE
🔑 Key Details
Organisation: BOLD
Programme: BOLD Science Communication Fellowship
Focus: Science Communication
Research Area: Children’s Learning & Development
Number of Fellows: Up to 3
Location: Fully Remote
Eligibility: Worldwide
Format: Part-Time
Duration: 6 Months
Start Date: January 4, 2027
End Date: June 30, 2027
Time Commitment: Approximately 6 Hours Per Month
Stipend: CHF 5,000
First Payment: 50% at Fellowship Start
Final Payment: 50% After Completion of Required Tasks & Milestones
PhD Required: No
Post-PhD Limit: Maximum 10 Years
Research Status: Must Be an Active Researcher
Content Required: At Least 3 Pieces
Writing Workshop: Included
Editing Training: Included
Video Training: Included
Monthly Writing Club: Included
Application Language: English
Science Communication Sample: Required
Written Statement: Maximum 500 Words
CV: Required
Applications Opened: September 1, 2026
Applications Reviewed: November 2026
Fellows Notified: December 1, 2026
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Status: Applications Open
🔎 SEO Keywords
BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2026, BOLD Fellowship 2027, BOLD Science Communication Fellowship 2027, CHF 5000 Fellowship, Paid Remote Fellowship 2027, Fully Remote Research Fellowship, Science Communication Fellowship 2027, Research Fellowship for Early Career Researchers, Child Development Fellowship, Children Learning Research Fellowship, Remote Fellowship for Researchers, Science Writing Fellowship, Paid Fellowship for Scientists, Research Communication Fellowship, Jacobs Foundation Fellowship, BOLD Fellowship for African Researchers, BOLD Fellowship for Zimbabweans, Fellowship Without PhD Requirement, Remote Fellowship for PhD Students, Science Communication Training Programme, Child Learning Research Opportunities, Early Career Research Fellowship 2027, Fully Funded Remote Fellowship, CHF 5000 Research Grant, Vacancy Bridge.
