The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) is encouraging journalists, university students and graduates aged 20 to 30 to apply to take part in a six-day workshop in science journalism that will be held between December 2009 and March 2010.

The workshops will take place at various institutes in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy, each specialising in different scientific areas, including renewable energies, genetics, and ICT.

The idea is to help 90 young journalists from EU and associated countries to develop editorial skills in the area of research, and highlight techniques to best communicate scientific project outcomes and their relevance in a way the public can relate to and enjoy. The workshops will also enable the participants to get to know professionals, learn best practices from them and establish networks with colleagues around Europe. They form part of the My Science programme for young journalists, a European project that aims to bridge the scientific and journalistic communities and enhance public understanding of science in everyday life.

The application deadline is July 15. Participation is free and the organisers are offering each participant €500 towards their travel and accommodation expenses.

For further details and the application form visit www.my-science.eu or call Karen Fiorini, FP7 national contact point at the MCST on 2360 2134 or 2166 0340 or e-mail karen.fiorini@gov.mt.