Publication: STAT
Topics: Health, Medicine, Scientific Discovery, Biotech, Pharmaceuticals, Health Tech, Hospitals, Healthcare Policy, Public Health, Medical Research
Rate: $1 per word (Higher rates available for reporting-intensive stories)
Deadline: No deadline
Join Sure Media Agency for submission details

STAT is actively accepting freelance pitches from journalists and writers with original, deeply reported story ideas covering health, medicine, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, hospitals, scientific discovery, and healthcare policy.

The publication is looking for ambitious freelance writers who can deliver smart, compelling, and original reporting that gives readers an inside look at the people, research, businesses, and ideas shaping modern medicine.

Successful pitches often include:

• Exclusive reporting from research laboratories, hospitals, biotech companies, or healthcare organizations.
• Investigations into pharmaceutical, biotech, and health technology industries.
• In-depth features on scientific discoveries and emerging medical trends.
• Patient-centered stories that explore healthcare experiences and disparities.
• Analysis of healthcare legislation, regulation, and policy.
• Trend stories and enterprise reporting that advance conversations around science and medicine.

STAT is especially interested in feature stories, trend pieces, and in-depth analysis suitable for STAT+, its premium subscription service focused on the business of healthcare, including biotech, pharmaceuticals, health technology, hospitals, and the policies affecting those industries.

What STAT Doesn’t Want

Avoid pitching:

• Consumer health, wellness, or service journalism.
• Breaking news coverage.
• Stories based solely on embargoed scientific studies unless you have exclusive reporting.
• Topics that are already receiving widespread coverage from multiple publications.

How to Write a Strong Pitch

STAT prefers pitches instead of completed articles because editors like to collaborate with freelancers before reporting begins.

A competitive pitch should typically be 300–600 words and explain:

• Your story idea.
• Why it’s timely and important.
• What’s original about your reporting.
• The sources and experts you plan to interview.
• Why STAT readers will care.
• Why you’re the right person to report the story.

Before submitting, review STAT’s recent coverage and explain how your idea adds something new rather than repeating existing reporting.

Multimedia Freelance Opportunities

STAT also commissions a limited number of multimedia projects from photographers and videographers.

Strong multimedia pitches should include:

• Samples of previous visual work.
• Why the story works best as photo or video journalism.
• Details about your reporting access.
• Whether collaboration with a text reporter would be beneficial.

STAT also welcomes portfolios from illustrators for future assignments.