Have you ever wanted to boost your journalism career by covering important science stories that can change Africa? The Africa Science Journalism Awards are your best chance to get noticed, meet new people, and grow in the competitive field of science reporting. This prestigious opportunity is perfect for you if you love health, climate, environment, or agriculture stories that come from Africa.
This in-depth guide will explain everything you need to know about the Africa Science Journalism Awards 2025, including who can apply, available categories, how to apply, and how to be successful. After reading this article, you’ll be ready to send in your best work and join the ranks of Africa’s best science journalists, where you’ll win prizes, get more exposure, and have unique experiences.
What is the Africa Science Journalism Awards?
The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) started the Africa Science Journalism Awards (ASJA) to honor great health, science, and development journalism across the African continent. The awards were first given to raise awareness of the importance of science communication. They show how important it is for journalists to teach the public about important issues like climate change, public health crises, and new ways to grow food.
These awards are more than just trophies because they are backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ). They are a movement to improve science storytelling in Africa, which will help communities become more informed and find science-based solutions to Africa’s unique problems.
What is so important about science journalism? Science stories help clear up complicated subjects, fight false information, and help make policy choices that affect millions of people. African journalists can change the future of the continent by writing about new research and grassroots innovation.
Requirements for the Africa Science Journalism Awards 2025
It is very important to ensure your eligibility before you send in your applications. The eligibility criteria ensure that only qualified African journalists apply for the awards.
Who Can Apply?
- Citizens or permanent residents of African countries who live primarily in Africa.
- Journalists working in print, broadcast, or online media, including both local and international outlets, provided the stories are rooted in an African context.
• Editors who wish to apply for the Editor’s Award must represent publications based in Africa only.
Different Types of Journalism
The awards are open to print, broadcast and online journalists.
Submission Timeframe and Thematic Focus
The work must be published between January 2024 and June 30, 2025.
The SFA Foundation says that stories should be about health, climate and the environment, or agriculture. These are the three main themes.
This focus makes sure that entries are relevant to Africa’s most important scientific and developmental problems, which raises awareness and makes a difference.
Categories and prizes for the Africa Science Journalism Awards
Understanding the award categories will help you choose where your work fits best so as to maximize your chances of winning.
Best Story Award for Print and TV
This award is for experienced journalists. Those who have worked for at least five years. They must have written in-depth, important stories about important science topics. There are two awards: one for print journalism and one for broadcast journalism. Each winner gets $1,500.
Early Career Journalist Award
This category is for journalists who have been working for less than five years. This category is to recognize emerging journalists with potential. It gives $1,500 to two journalists, one from print and one from broadcast,
Editors’ Innovator Award
This award celebrates editors who have actively promoted science journalism in their newsrooms by encouraging coverage expansion. There are two winners, and each gets $2,000.
Award for Science Champion
This special category recognises a scientist or innovator who uses media platforms well to make their scientific work more visible across Africa. The award is worth $1,500.
More Than Just Prize Money
Winners will also get plaques at the World Conference of Science Journalists in Africa in December 2025. This is a historic event that will attract global attention. Additionally, winners get a pitch fee for stories resulting from their engagement with partner academic or research institutions, giving a financial boost and professional growth opportunity.
How to Apply for the 2025 Africa Science Journalism Awards
Are you ready to get in the game? Follow these steps to apply:
Step 1: Pick a Category
Choose the category that best fits your job type and stage in your career:
Best Story (on TV or in print)
Journalist in the Early Stages of Their Career (Print or Broadcast)
Award from the Editor
Science Winner
You can only enter one category for journalists (Best Story or Early Career Journalist), but you can also enter for the Editor’s Award if you qualify.
Step 2: Get your submission ready
• For journalist awards, send in one published story that fits with the themes.
• To win the Editor’s Award, you need to send in a list of published stories that show how dedicated you are to science journalism within the time limit.
• To be a Science Champion, send in one story that shows how a scientist or innovator made a difference.
Step 3: Use the GMS (Agaseke Grants Management System)
All entries must be sent in through the Agaseke GMS platform, which is a safe and easy-to-use portal that handles applications for the SFA Foundation.
1. Sign up for an account on the Agaseke GMS
2. Fill out all the information in your profile
3. As needed, upload your story and any supporting documents.
Step 4: Submit after careful review
Double-check your submission against the eligibility and thematic criteria before final submission. Make sure your story is well-written, interesting, and related to science in Africa.
Step 5: Keep an eye on the due dates
The last day to turn in your work is July 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM East African Time (EAT). Late applications are not accepted.
How to Win the Africa Science Journalism Awards
To win the Africa Science Journalism Awards, you need to do more than just apply. You need to tell stories that connect with people, teach them something, and make them want to change.
Here are some tips from experts:
Writing Interesting Science Stories
• Use language that is easy to understand and interesting, which makes complicated science easier to understand without making it sound stupid.
• Use real-life examples, human angles, and pictures to make the story more relatable.
• Talk about new ideas, problems, and effects that are specific to Africa.
Your Work must align with the Thematic Areas
• Focus on stories about health, the environment, climate change, or farming.
• Connect your reporting to new scientific research or problems in your community.
• Show how the science affects ecosystems, policies, or people’s lives.
How to Build a Strong Portfolio for Editors
• Choose a wide range of stories that show a commitment to covering more science.
• Show editorial leadership by helping reporters or starting special science reports.
• Show real results, like more people paying attention or changes in policy.
Conclusion
The Africa Science Journalism Awards are a great way to get noticed, win financial awards, and grow professionally in ways that are very valuable. This is your chance to shine and help change the way science is talked about in Africa, whether you’re a seasoned reporter, a new journalist, or an editor in charge of science coverage.
Don’t wait for the right time; take it. Get your application ready today, work on your best science stories, and send it in by July 4, 2025. Your story could teach millions of people, change policies, and motivate a new generation of African journalists and scientists.
Go to the official website and apply now (Africa Science Journalism Awards (ASJA) 2025) to be part of a legacy that honors Africa’s best science journalists.