SFA Foundation Africa Science Journalism Awards (ASJA) 2025 – YOA

Deadline: July 4, 2025

Applications are open for the SFA Foundation Africa Science Journalism Awards (ASJA) 2025. The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is happy to launch the second version of the Africa Science Journalism Awards (ASJA). These prestigious awards rejoice excellence in well being, science, and improvement reporting throughout Africa.

By recognising and rewarding distinctive journalism, ASJA goals to amplify the visibility and impression of science protection on the continent. This initiative, supported by the Gates Foundation, displays the SFA Foundation’s dedication to advancing science communication in Africa, with further help from the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ).

ASJA seeks to: 

• Establish an award that honours excellence in science journalism, specializing in the SFA Foundation’s key thematic areas of well being, local weather change and setting, and agriculture.
• Expand the pool of science journalists throughout the continent.
• Strengthen the capability of African science journalists, enabling them to achieve in-depth data on particular scientific matters.

Categories

• Best Story – Print and Broadcast: This class honours two seasoned journalists, one in print and one in broadcast, whose in-depth and compelling science reporting has considerably formed public understanding of key points akin to well being, local weather change and setting, and agriculture. A seasoned journalist is outlined as one with 5 or extra years {of professional} expertise in journalism and a confirmed monitor document of reporting on science-associated matters. Each winner will obtain $1,500.
• Early Career Journalist – Print or Broadcast: This class recognises two promising journalists, one in print and one in broadcast, who’re within the early levels of their careers and present distinctive potential in science reporting. An early profession journalist is outlined as one with lower than 5 years {of professional} expertise in journalism. Each winner will obtain $1,500.
• Innovator Award for Editors: This award acknowledges two editors who’ve championed science journalism inside their newsrooms by encouraging and increasing protection of science-associated tales. Each winner will obtain $2,000.  
• Science Champion: Recognises a scientist or innovator who has successfully utilised on-line and conventional platforms to raise the visibility of their work and promote science throughout the continent. The prize for this class is $1,500.

Benefits

• There are money prizes for winners in every class.
• Winners is not going to solely obtain financial prizes but in addition plaques, which shall be offered on the World Conference of Science Journalists being held in Africa for the primary time, in December 2025. A pitch charge may also be supplied, for any tales revealed on account of this engagement. 

Eligibility

• Submissions will need to have been revealed between January 2024 and June 30, 2025.
• Open to journalists who’re residents or everlasting residents of an African nation, and who’re completely or primarily resident in Africa, working in native or worldwide print, broadcast, or on-line media. Submissions could also be revealed by both native or worldwide retailers, supplied the reporting is rooted within the African context. 
• Entries should deal with well being, local weather and setting, or agriculture, as outlined by the SFA Foundation’s thematic areas. 
• Editors making use of for the Editor’s Award should characterize publications primarily based solely in Africa. 
• All classes are open to entries from print, broadcast, and on-line media.

Selection Criteria

Judges will think about the next:  

• Impact and Reach 
  • The story addresses a big and well timed science-associated situation related to African audiences. 
  • The reporting successfully conveys the significance of the subject and its broader scientific or societal context.
  • The story is nicely-structured and fascinating, making certain accessibility to a large viewers. 
• Quality and Creativity
  • The story is nicely-researched, factually correct, and demonstrates a transparent grasp of the subject material. 
  • Complex scientific concepts are defined in a method that’s accessible, partaking, and straightforward to grasp. 
  • The storytelling method is authentic and compelling, with a robust narrative that captivates the viewers. 
  • The journalist demonstrates creativity in framing the story, utilizing progressive angles or storytelling methods to reinforce reader or viewer curiosity. 
  • The piece demonstrates robust journalistic integrity, thorough analysis, and accountable reporting. 

Application

The application deadline is July 4, 2025 at 1700HRS, East African Time (EAT).

Click here to apply

For extra data, go to ASJA.