January 09, 2026 | | Media Opps: NPR, Autostraddle, New Scientist An opportunity to report on queer culture with rates starting at $1,500 |
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| | The listings are now posted throughout the week on our Opportunity Finder. The Opps Finder, the monthly Creative Opportunities, and the weekly Friday Opportunities newsletters are managed by Chris Erik Thomas. Occasionally, we take a day off or publish late (or early) for mental health breaks and holidays. | If you have any questions or want to submit something for inclusion, please email ‘chris AT studyhall DOT xyz’ with “Opportunity:” in the subject line. For any technical issues, please email ‘support AT studyhall DOT xyz.’ | Please note: Anything marked as “NEW” is from the past seven days and is included alongside opps that are newly added (but more than one week old). Finally, old opps from previous issues with upcoming deadlines can be found at the end of the newsletter. | | | | This email was created by Beehiiv. Study Hall members can get an exclusive 30% off their first three months of Beehiiv here: https://www.beehiiv.com/?via=Study-Hall | | | | STUDY HALL COURSES: | ▶ How to Break Into Science Journalism | Whether you’re a journalist looking to make science your new beat or simply want to add more science stories to your roster, this class, taught by award-winning journalist Sofia Quaglia, offers practical advice, personal insights, and behind-the-scenes guidance. | Drawing on her own path into science journalism—starting with no formal science background—she breaks down the fundamentals: the main types of science stories, where to find them, and how to get ahead of the news. She also covers interviewing scientists, navigating complex data, verifying findings, and translating expertise into compelling storytelling, with a candid look at freelancing and placing science stories. | Sofia’s approach is proven; she’s taught students from Stanford to Columbia, and her mentees now publish regularly in top international outlets like the New York Times, the BBC, National Geographic, and more. | The course will take place next Friday, January 16, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. Study Hall members use the coupon code “studyhallmember” to receive 50% off the standard price, bringing the price to $49.50. For any questions, email sup...@studyhall.xyz. | ▶ Master the Art of Storytelling | In this online class led by narrative reporter Adam Popescu, writers will learn to pitch smarter, tell sharper stories, and turn ideas into real assignments. The course focuses on the mechanics of storytelling as it actually works in today’s freelance landscape—what makes an idea viable, how to frame it, and how to get editors to say yes. | Popescu draws on his experience writing for outlets including The New York Times and Bloomberg to break down how strong narratives are built and sold, offering practical strategies you can apply immediately. The emphasis is on clarity, structure, and positioning—tools that help your work stand out and travel further. | The course will take place on January 30, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. Study Hall members use the coupon code “studyhallmember” to receive 50% off the standard price, bringing the price to $49.50. For any questions, email sup...@studyhall.xyz. | | OTHER RESOURCES | ▶ Join the 2026 Freelance Journalism Conference | The Institute for Independent Journalists has opened registration for its virtual 2026 Freelance Journalism Conference, which takes place March 5-6 and includes nine live, interactive panel discussions, two live networking sessions, and more. Registration is $69, but Study Hall members can get a special discount of 10% using the code “SH10”. Sign up here. | ▶ Add to the Rate-Sharing Database | The Freelance Solidarity Project maintains an ongoing Rate Sharing Database to build a clearer picture of freelance pay—and, ultimately, change how we are paid. Add your rates, and help build a more equitable future for freelancers in the industry. | | | | | | | CALLS FOR PITCHES | Please note: We are not endorsing every publication or company listed here. Engaging with a publication or company is entirely up to the reader. We currently sort each section from the highest to the lowest rates. | Final note: Before pitching, always check the links to confirm the opportunities are still available. | TIME-SENSITIVE PITCH CALLS | NEW: -Autostraddle co-founder Riese Bernard Hansen told SH that she's looking for pitches for feature-length journalism for the next issue of its print magazine, specifically “intriguing, surprising, reported stories about current queer culture, trends, politics and/or social life" that are relevant to Gen Z and younger millennials. She's open to hyperlocal reporting. The rates start at $1,500. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and send pitches to edi...@forthem.com by January 19 ("but the sooner, the better"). (Jan 7) | NEW: -Immersive Impact Review is accepting submissions for its inaugural issue, “Value(s) in Practice: Impact and Sustainability in XR.” The open-access publication invites research articles, case studies, historical perspectives, practice-based essays, provocations, conversations, and creative documentation examining how value, impact, and sustainability are measured in immersive and XR projects focused on social good. Accepted submissions receive an honorarium ranging from $500 to $1,000, according to Michael Epstein. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and submit via the submission form by February 1. (Jan 6) | NEW: -Matador Network is looking for pitches of travel stories for Winter 2026. They want stories that require on-the-ground experience or local knowledge, including pieces on sports-related travel, surprising travel trends, and in-depth destination stories. They specifically don't want lists, guides, hotel-focused coverage, and desk-reported topics. Rates range from $200 to $300 per story, depending on scope and experience. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and pitch through the submission form. (Jan 5) | EVERGREEN PITCH CALLS | NEW: -New Scientist's Assistant News Editor, Alexandra Thompson, is always commissioning “experienced freelance reporters to cover health, neuroscience and psychology-related stories.” Rates start at $1 for new writers, “and then go up to $1.26 with experience (55p up to 65p in the UK).” See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and send inquiries or pitches to alexandra...@newscientist.com. (Jan 5) | NEW: -MIT Technology Review's News Editor, Charlotte Jee, is always looking for pitches of news, analysis, and opinion pieces with a technology angle. “If you've got a compelling, original story that tells us something new and interesting about the latest technologies and how they're being used or abused” or “if you're an academic with a strong, clear argument about tech and society that's burning a hole in your brain,” send your ideas. Rates weren't given, but range from $1 to $2 per word per the pitch guide. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and send pitches to charlo...@technologyreview.com. (Jan 6) | -Slate's features editor, Shannon Palus, is always looking for pitches of “health and science opinion and analysis, and/or with a first-person angle, as well as features (2,500+ words, deeply reported) that turn a big idea on its head.” She shared these examples: “Consider the Hermit Crab" and “Those Dire Wolves Aren’t an Amazing Scientific Breakthrough. They’re a Disturbing Symbol of Where We’re Heading.” Rates start at $300 for essays and $1,500 for features. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and send pitches to shanno...@slate.com. (Dec 29) | NEW: -Business Insider editor Frank Olito is always looking for pitches of first-person essays in the following categories: college and post-grad life, moving, caregiving, retirement, alternative living, and visual features. The rates weren't given, but usually start at $260. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and send pitches through the pitch form. (Jan 7) | NEW: -Business Insider's Lifestyle/Entertainment editor, Lydia Wang, is always looking for pitches of first-person essays and travel or lifestyle stories. She’s especially interested in work exploring intergenerational friendships or living dynamics, moves within or from the US that led to surprising lifestyle changes, and unconventional living situations that work in practice. The rates start at $240 for around 600 words. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and send pitches through the pitch form. (Jan 6) | NEW: -Business Insider's Lifestyle/Entertainment editor, Stephanie Pitera Statile, is always looking for pitches for the Aldi, Costco, and Trader Joe's grocery diaries series. She “would especially love to work with anyone on the Mediterranean diet.” Please note: “You MUST be able to visit the store and snap photos of each item you're speaking about during your next trip.” The rates start at $175 per piece. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and send pitches through the web form. (Jan 2) | NEW: -Stop Caring's founding editor, Artemis Octavio, is always looking for pitches of “unique features, essays and articles about videogames that tackle topics from artistic, literary, theoretical, critical, cultural, or personal perspectives." Please note: They "operate on a 'first-come, first-served ' basis, so once a pitch gets accepted, the contributing writer will get the earliest available spot for the year. Currently, it's early August." They offer a flat rate of $150. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and send pitches to stopca...@gmail.com. (Jan 3) | | FREELANCE, PART-TIME, AND TEMPORARY JOBS | NEW: -The Sick Times is hiring a part-time Podcast and Social Media Producer who “can be available for occasional meetings on U.S. time zones and who live in countries supported by Gusto.” They will “revive our weekly podcast, Still Here, help expand our social media presence, and assist with other editorial tasks.” Candidates should have experience in audio production and social media, with a background in science or health journalism preferred. The rate is a $2,750 per month (as a W-2 employee), “with an expectation of 20-25 hours of work per week.” See our Opps Finder listing for more info. To apply, send a resume and a brief email (3-4 paragraphs) detailing your applicable experience and work samples to edi...@thesicktimes.org by January 20. (Jan 6) | NEW: -Resilience.org is hiring a Managing Editor on a remote, part-time contract to “take over editorial responsibilities for a magazine-style online publication.” They will oversee all aspects of editorial publishing for the sustainability-focused online magazine, including commissioning and curating articles, editing and production, maintaining daily publishing cadence, and collaborating with Post Carbon Institute staff on editorial direction and audience growth. Candidates should have at least five years of experience managing editorial workflows for an online publication and deep familiarity with sustainability and resilience issues. The role pays $3,500 per month under an initial three-month contract, extendable up to a year or longer. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and apply by January 21. (Jan 8) | NEW: -The New York Times is hiring a Games Associate Writer based in NYC on a part-time contract. They will write and produce two Wordplay columns a week, help moderate comments on their Wordplay content, and “perform related work, such as producing one of our daily forums, writing solving guides or articles about solvers, as assigned.” Candidates should have at least two years of experience writing for online audiences, with an emphasis on consumer-facing or entertainment-focused content, and familiarity with journalism standards. The annual salary is $80,952.15, though it's unclear how many hours per week this role is. See our Opps Finder listing for more info. (Jan 5) | | FELLOWSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS | -The Chronicle of Higher Education is accepting applications for the 2026 Journalism Reporter Fellowship based in DC, or remote in select US states (VA, MD, MI, WA, TX, FL, NC, and NY). Fellows will work as general-assignment reporters, covering politics, finance, and structural changes in higher education through daily news and enterprise reporting, and “can also expect internal and external opportunities for professional development and a one-on-one mentorship program with a senior staff member.” The fellowship pays $55,000, including benefits. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and apply through the application page by this Thursday, January 15. (Dec 18) | -People Inc. is accepting applications for its Summer Internship Program based in NYC, which has multiple tracks, including: Better Homes & Gardens - Social Media, Video Strategy, Lifestyle Brand Marketing, and more. The program is full-time for nine weeks from June to August. Applicants must be current Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors at an accredited college or university, and “you must have access to your own housing and transportation to/from the NY office." The internship pays $20 per hour. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and apply through the respective internship track page by January 26. (Dec 30) | -Columbia Journalism School is accepting applications for its 2026–27 Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in NYC, which requires spending two semesters at Columbia University, “based in the journalism school but usually taking classes at Columbia Business School.” The fellowship is open to full-time and freelance journalists worldwide with at least four years of experience covering business, economics, or finance; fellows are required to relocate and pause outside work during the program. Tuition is fully covered, and fellows receive a $70,000 stipend for the nine-month program. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and apply through the application page by January 31. | NEW: -The Columbia Journalism School is accepting applications for the 2026–27 Spencer Education Journalism Fellowship based in NYC, with residential and non-residential options. The fellowship is “open to journalists and educators who want to develop and publish an ambitious, long-form journalism project to advance the understanding of education for a general audience," and “each fellow is matched with a Columbia Journalism School faculty member who serves as a project adviser.” Fellows receive a stipend of $85,000 for residential, or $43,000 for non-residential, plus $7,500 in project expenses. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and apply through the application page by February 3. (Jan 6) | -The Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University is accepting applications for its Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award, which provides a $15,000 grant to support early-career nonfiction journalists working on character-driven, literary reporting projects. The award supports longform print or audio projects that uncover “the human truth beneath the sorry facts,” with funds often used for reporting travel, and offers the recipient visiting scholar privileges at NYU, based in New York City. Applicants should propose original reporting projects focused on the human condition; investigative projects and reporting from active armed conflicts are not eligible. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and apply through the application page by February 22. | | FULL-TIME JOURNALISM JOBS | NEW YORK CITY | NEW: -The New York Times is hiring for multiple positions, including a Business Desk News Assistant to support reporters and editors with research, a Newsletters Senior News Assistant to “produce certain content for The Morning, including the daily Spelling Bee section, Today's number, and Sunday Debate,” a Social Visuals Editor to be “responsible for defining and implementing the visual strategy for The Times's off-platform reporting,” a Climate Assistant Editor to “lead our efforts to use visual storytelling to help people understand the climate and their world in new and surprising ways,” and a Director of News to oversee its News Desk. The salary ranges are $67,626 to $68,000 for the Business Desk News Assistant, $80,952.15 to $82,000 for the Newsletters Senior News Assistant, $160,000 to $175,000 for the Social Visuals Editor, $170,000 to $185,000 for the Climate Assistant Editor, and $180,000 to $220,000 for the Director of News. See our Opps Finder listings for more info. (Dec 30) | WASHINGTON, DC | NEW: -The Atlantic is hiring a Video Producer to “produce and edit short- and medium-form videos, audiograms, animated swipes, and more.” They will also "script, set up, film, and produce videos in the office and in the field to accompany and enhance The Atlantic’s reporting and analysis.” Candidates should have at least five years of experience producing digital video, strong editorial judgment, and fluency with video production tools in fast-paced newsroom environments. The salary range is $85,000 to $100,000, and the role is a guild position. See our Opps Finder listing for more info. (Jan 7) | REMOTE-FRIENDLY OR MULTIPLE LOCATIONS | -Recidiviz is hiring a Content and Communications Lead based in the US, NYC, or Oakland to “bridge the gap between content marketing and strategic communications, ensuring that every blog post, case study, and press pitch positions Recidiviz to drive greater impact with our government partners.” Candidates should have at least seven years of experience in content marketing, communications, or journalism, “with a portfolio of complex topics translated into compelling narratives." Please note: “This role requires occasional domestic travel (2-3x year).” The salary is $111,500 for candidates based in NYC or Oakland, or $102,000 for those based elsewhere in the US. See our Opps Finder listing for more info. (Dec 23) | -Vox Media is hiring a Researcher based in the US for the Today, Explained Podcast. They will fact-check daily episodes on deadline, vet data and sources, collaborate with editors and producers, and contribute research feedback during episode development. Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience and a “high degree of research literacy in order to dive into and evaluate primary sources, studies, and papers.” The salary range is $76,000 to $90,000. See our Opps Finder listing for more info. (Dec 23) | | OTHER FULL-TIME JOBS | SOUTHEAST | NEW: -Arrowmont is hiring a Residency Coordinator based in Gatlinburg, TN, on a two-year, grant-funded contract. They will be “responsible for administration and program management related to Arrowmont’s Artists-in-Residence program, Workstudy program, Programming Internships, and the Pentaculum program, offering direct support and mentorship to a diverse community of emerging artists.” Candidates should have at least two years of experience in arts programming or with nonprofit arts organizations, as well as strong organizational and communication skills. The salary is $40,000 and includes on-campus housing for the two-year term. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and apply by January 31. (Jan 5) | -Cardinal News is hiring a Reporter to “cover accountability and enterprise stories in Southwest Virginia, with a focus on Wise County and surrounding counties along the Route 58 corridor.” They will “engage regularly with local residents, community groups, and institutions to understand issues from the ground up.” Candidates should have “a track record of (or strong interest in) accountability reporting that holds power to account and elevates underrepresented voices,” including “comfort with community engagement, from listening sessions and source building to co-creating coverage with audiences.” The salary range wasn't provided, but an Indeed listing indicates it's $50,000 to $65,000. See our Opps Finder listing for more info. (Dec 28) | REMOTE-FRIENDLY OR MULTIPLE LOCATIONS | -The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is hiring a Research Editor based in DC or remote within the US to “ensure our research and policy publications are accurate, clear, and compelling for the audiences we serve.” They will lead the editorial process for major research and policy publications, translating complex technical work into clear, accessible writing while managing editorial workflows, review cycles, and timelines across teams. Candidates should have at least five years of professional writing and editing experience, with strong developmental editing skills and experience working with research or policy content. The salary range is $83,862 to $104,827. See our Opps Finder listing for more info; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. (Dec 23) | | | | | | DEADLINED OPPS FROM PAST ISSUES | Please note: These old opps are not categorized by type but are organized in order from the earliest to the latest deadline. | EXPIRING: -Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism is accepting applications for the 2026 George R.R. Martin Summer Intensive Writing Workshop. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and apply by this Monday, January 12. | EXPIRING: -Lauren Paige Richeson shared with SH that she's commissioning writers for a new large-format, bilingual print journal on plants, gardens, memory, and beauty by the French beauty brand Officine Universelle Buly. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and send pitches by this Thursday, January 15. | EXPIRING: -The Atlantic is accepting applications for its one-year Editorial Fellowship based in DC. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and apply by next Friday, January 16. | EXPIRING: -NPR is accepting submissions for its 2025 College Podcast Challenge. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and submit by next Friday, January 16. | -UC Berkeley is accepting applications for its Ferriss – UC Berkeley Psychedelic Journalism Fellowship. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and apply by January 31. | -The Avery Review is accepting submissions for the Avery Review Essay Prize 2026. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and submit by January 31. | -The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard is accepting applications for the Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation. See our Opps Finder listing for more info. The application deadline is January 31 for U.S. applicants. | -The Other Almanac is accepting submissions of essays, column ideas, and visual work for its 2027 reimagining of the traditional TheOld Farmer's Almanac. See our Opps Finder listing for more info, and send submissions by March 20. |
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