Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

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Main Conference Location

Nittany Lion Inn
200 W Park Ave
State College, PA 16803

Contacting the Conference
General Inquiries: Stop by the check-in desk (see hours and location on the Schedule) or email workshops@nasw.org
Urgent Onsite Inquiries: Pick up the house phone located in each of the Nittany Lion Inn rooms or Call or Text 1-814-360-8277 or +1-510-859-7229.

If you or someone is experiencing a life-threatening emergency or are being physically threatened, call 9-1-1.

For campus emergencies, you may also contact Penn State Police at 814-863-1111 (24 hrs) or use any of the blue phones located throughout campus.

Who can attend?

Registration for the NASW annual workshops portion of the ScienceWriters meeting is open to members and a limited number of non-members. Registration for the New Horizons portion of the meeting is open to science writers and science-writing students.

What does it cost?

Attendance at ScienceWriters is subsidized to keep your costs low.

NASW Workshops fees

Registration opens on August 1.
Attendance at the workshops is heavily subsidized by NASW and remains the same low rate as last year. Thank you for attending!

Member rate
$190 until September 5. Get your earlybird discount!
$215 September 6 thru close of registration on October 10.
Student member rate
$75 thru close of registration on October 10.
Non-member rate (non-refundable)
$425 thru close of registration on October 10.

CASW’s New Horizons in Science Briefings

New Horizons is hosted by Penn State
Free!

Accommodations

ScienceWriters2019 will be held at the Nittany Lion Inn on the campus of Penn State.

We have secured a discounted rate of $145/night plus tax for the Nittany Lion Inn. To get this discount and learn more, visit the the Travel page when registration opens on August 1.

Optional field trips and pre-conference sessions

Most field trips will be free. Some will have a modest fee. For details visit, view the "Hosted events and tours" tab on the Schedule page when registration opens on August 1.

Where is the nearest hospital?

Mount Nittany Medical Center is located at 1800 E Park Ave, State College, PA 16803 (see this map for directions from the Nittany Lion Inn

Where is the nearest urgent care?

MedExpress, 1613 N Atherton St Suite B, State College, PA 16803 (814)238-1066
Closes 8PM

Where​ ​is​ ​the​ ​nearest​ ​pharmacy?

CVS, 116 W College Ave, State College, PA 16801 (814) 238-6797
Closes 10PM

Are there volunteer opportunities?

NASW student members interested in volunteering can help out at the meeting for a few hours in exchange for free registration. To commit, email workshops@nasw.org. Slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and you must be an NASW student member.

Why do I have to pay for some events but not others?

The NASW workshops portion of the ScienceWriters conference is solely funded by the National Association of Science Writers. This direct underwriting subsidizes the cost of attendance for members and non-members. While a registration fee is charged to offset some of NASW's costs, that fee covers only a portion of the total expenses, including speaker travel assistance. A committee of NASW volunteers solicits and reviews proposals for NASW's professional development workshops. Volunteer session leaders organize and produce the selected sessions. NASW also plans and funds the annual awards presentation, which is typically free for attendees.

New Horizons is hosted each year by different institutions recruited by the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. The institution provides funds to support the New Horizons in Science Briefings and conference and social events, often through recruitment of sponsors. These events are generally free for attendees. The host plans field trips, tours, receptions, special events like Lunch with a Scientist, and often adds innovative new elements to a social program. CASW's independent program director determines the programming for the New Horizons in Science Briefings, recruits speakers, and facilitates selection and planning of the annual Science + Science Writing sessions.

Field trips, tours, and pre-conference events may charge a small fee to help offset costs and also help ensure attendance at these limited-availability events, which often fill quickly.

How do I register?

All registration is handled securely online. We apologize that mail or phone in registrations are not accepted. Registration begins August 1 and closes on October 10. In order that we may keep our costs low by ensuring an accurate count, NO late or on-site registrations are accepted.

Do you accept late registrations?

In order that we may keep our costs low by ensuring an accurate count, NO late or on-site registrations can be accepted. Registration begins August 1 and closes on October 10. Please avoid disappointment (and save $!) by registering early.

Where can I locate a roommate to share travel expenses?

If you're looking for someone to share a room, consider posting to NASW's discussion group, NASW-Talk. Visit nasw.org/discussion to join this public discussion group. This is not an official roommate matching service, but rather an informal place for you to connect with other attendees.

How can I apply for a Travel Fellowship?

Several types of travel fellowships are available. Applications are due August 15, and successful applicants will be notified by September 3 unless otherwise noted. Applications for the international Regional Travel Fellowships are due July 21, and successful applicants will be notified by August 9.

CASW New Horizons Travel Fellowship

Eligibility: The fellowships are intended primarily for journalists from smaller metropolitan print and broadcast news outlet, select freelancers and webcasters with a demonstrated interest in science writing.

Description: The fellowships, provided by the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, offer up to $1,200 to cover the costs of attending ScienceWriters2019, and in particular the New Horizons in Science briefings organized by CASW on Sunday and Monday. CASW traveling fellows are expected to provide a written report or social-media curation on the New Horizons program.

To apply: Applications are taken online at casw.submittable.com/submit. Submit 1) a brief (no more than 500-word) expression of interest; 2) a resume; 3) no more than 3 clips or broadcast transcripts on any topic; and 4) a nominating letter from a senior editor, news director or producer. Additional details are at www.casw.org/new-horizons/travel-fellowships.

Application deadline: Thursday, August 15, 2019

NASW Travel Fellowship

Eligibility: Open to any science writer, editor, publication information officer, or journalism instructor with a financial need.

Description: Provides up to $1000 to cover the costs of attending the ScienceWriters meeting. These fellowships are supported by the National Association of Science Writers with Authors Coalition of America funds. Note: Before receiving reimbursement, fellows must submit a short report of one or more aspects of the workshops, suitable for publication on the NASW Web site and potentially in ScienceWriters. Assignments will be made prior to the meeting and must be filed within 48 hours after the assigned session.

To apply: Visit nasw.submittable.com

Application deadline: Thursday, August 15, 2019

NASW Graduate Travel Fellowship

Eligibility: Open to current students enrolled in a science writing program.

Description: Provides up to $1000 to cover the costs of attending the ScienceWriters meeting. These fellowships are supported by the National Association of Science Writers with Authors Coalition of America funds. Note: Before receiving reimbursement, fellows must submit a short report of one or more aspects of the workshops, suitable for publication on the NASW Web site and potentially in ScienceWriters. Assignments, which may include live tweeting or other coverage of a session, will be made prior to the meeting and must be filed within 48 hours after the assigned session. While students enrolled in a science graduate program may apply, priority will be given to those in science writing programs.

To apply: Visit nasw.submittable.com

Application deadline: Thursday, August 15, 2019

Regional Travel Fellowship (international applicants only)

Eligibility: These regional fellowships are intended for anyone who writes, edits or produces science news, information, or commentary for the public in Latin America and the Caribbean; teaches science journalism; or is a member of a World Federation of Science Journalists member association, and who would be unable to attend ScienceWriters2019 without financial assistance. They are supported by a joint fund established by the National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing with proceeds from the 10th World Conference of Science Journalists to support international networking. Applicants should have strong English competency. Read the full announcement for more detail.

Description: The fellowships provide full or partial support to cover economy airfare, four nights' accommodation during the conference, and reasonable ground transport. An additional subsidy for meals, incidentals, and field trips may be provided depending on demonstrated need.

To apply: Applications are taken online at casw.submittable.com/submit

Application deadline: Sunday, July 21, 2019

How is the content chosen?

The NASW professional development workshops are chosen by a committee of members from proposals submitted by members in March of each year and organized by volunteers. The scientific sessions for the New Horizons in Science Briefings are chosen solely by program director Rosalind Reid. The program draws speakers from around the country, including a portion from the host institution.

How do I register for the Annual Awards Reception?

Advance registration is required for the Annual Awards luncheon, which will take place on Saturday, October 26. Registration begins online on August 1. Join your colleagues to congratulate the winners of NASW's Science in Society Awards, CASW's Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting, and the Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award for Young Science Journalists.

Which meals are included?

Registration for the NASW workshops on Saturday includes lunch. Breakfast and lunch is provided on Sunday. Breakfast is provided on Monday. Evening receptions usually have ample appetizers, but not necessarily a full, plated dinner.

How do I report harassment?

The meeting code of conduct policy and reporting procedures are here: sciencewriters2019.org/policies. Printed copies will also be available at the check-in desk.

What if my question is not answered here?

For questions regarding the professional development workshops, contact workshops@nasw.org or 510-647-9500. For questions about the New Horizons in Science briefings, contact programs@casw.org or 617-702-2798.