Accepting Nominations: Merritt Science Journalism Award

The Pratt School of Engineering presents the Richard Merritt Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence in Science Journalism. The award annually recognizes a Duke graduate or undergraduate student for the best piece of science journalism produced during the previous calendar year.  A cash award of $500 is presented to the winner at a celebratory dinner held each spring in conjunction with the university’s Melcher Award and Futrell Award programs.

HOW TO APPLY

Eligibility: Any work of journalism (text, video, infographic, animation, etc.) focused on explaining scientific research to a general audience –

  • Personal blog entries, video uploads, or other publicly accessible creations
  • Written stories must be at least 500 words long; stories in combined or other formats are also eligible
  • Must be produced by a current undergraduate or graduate Duke student
  • Must have been published or broadcast during the previous calendar year (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2016)

NOT Eligible: Research reports or journal articles intended for a primarily scientific audience.

Selection: The award committee, comprising Duke research communications leaders, will evaluate each entry based on its –

  1. Clarity in explaining the science/research, and
  2. Ability to engage a lay audience in the subject matter.

Deadline: February 15, 2017 Click here to submit application and to learn more.

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