Journalism programs for high schoolers.
32 programs indexed in journalism. 22 are free or pay a stipend. 13 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new journalism program.
All journalism programs
- SelectiveFreedom ForumAl Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
An all-expenses-paid journalism conference for one student from every US state and DC.
📍 Washington, D.C.⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveFreedom ForumAl Neuharth Free Spirit Conference
All-expenses-paid journalism conference + $1,000 scholarship for 51 students.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1 week📅 February🎓 Grade 11 - Highly SelectiveAmerican UniversityAmerican University Discover the World of Communication
Pre-college program in journalism, film, PR, and digital media.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1-3 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAAJAAsian American Journalists Association JCamp
Free six-day multicultural journalism program for high school students.
📍 Rotating (US)⏱ 6 days📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNews Literacy ProjectASNE High School Journalism Institute
Free media-literacy and journalism resources and student programs.
📍 Online📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveC-SPANC-SPAN StudentCam
Annual student documentary competition on public policy.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 January🎓 Grades 6–12 - Highly SelectiveFreedom ForumChiPS Chips Quinn Scholars (pipeline)
Diversity journalism pipeline programs for students of color.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateCSPAColumbia Scholastic Press Association Awards
Top awards recognizing student newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveKenyon ReviewKenyon Review Young Writers (Online Program & Publication)
The official high school literary magazine of the Kenyon Review, accepting poetry and prose globally. Virtual workshops also available.
📍 Online/Kenyon College⏱ Annual publication📅 May (Summer Review)🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveKnight FoundationKnight Foundation High School Journalism
Various Knight-funded high school journalism programs and fellowships.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUniversity of PennsylvaniaKnowledge@Wharton Comment & Win
Monthly free contests where students comment on Knowledge@Wharton articles for cash prizes.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Monthly🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCity BureauLocal News for Teens Internships (CityBureau Documenters)
Paid civic journalism documenters program in select cities.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateNorthwestern MedillMedill-Northwestern Journalism Institute
Five-week premier high school journalism program.
📍 Evanston, IL⏱ 5 weeks📅 February🎓 Grade 11 - ModerateUniversity of MissouriMizzou High School Journalism Workshops
Summer journalism workshops at the nation's oldest J-school.
📍 Columbia, MO⏱ 1-2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveStudent Press Law CenterNew Voices Student Press Freedom
Youth advocacy network defending student press freedoms.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveThe New York Times Learning NetworkNew York Times Editorial Contest
Annual student editorial writing contest for teens 13-19.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Spring🎓 Grades 7–12 - SelectiveThe New York Times Learning NetworkNew York Times Personal Narrative Contest
Annual personal narrative writing contest for teens 13-19.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Fall🎓 Grades 7–12 - ModerateNYT/School of the New York TimesNew York Times Summer Academy
Pre-college summer programs in journalism, business, media, and storytelling.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 1-2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNPRNPR Student Podcast Challenge
Free annual podcasting contest. Submit a 3-8 minute podcast. Winning student is featured on NPR.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 April🎓 Grades 5–12 - ModerateNational Scholastic Press AssociationNSPA Best of the High School Press
National recognition program for student publications.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveThe New York TimesNYT Learning Network Contests
Free monthly writing, photo, and podcast contests for teens 13–19 worldwide.
📍 Global📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12 - SelectiveThe New York TimesNYT Personal Narrative Contest
Annual short personal narrative contest for teens. 600 words. Free entry.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveThe New York TimesNYT Student Editorial Contest
Free annual contest for students aged 13-19 to write a 450-word evidence-based editorial. Top entries are published by the Times.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNYT / NABJ / NAHJNYT Student Journalism Institute
Paid summer journalism program at The New York Times for diverse students.
📍 New York, NY⏱ Summer📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateThe New York TimesNYT Summer Academy
Journalism, filmmaking, and writing courses taught by Times journalists. Limited need-based aid.
📍 NY / Remote (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveThe New York TimesNYT Summer Reading Contest
Each summer week, students pick a Times piece and write 350 words about it. Free; winners published.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 June-August🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectivePBSPBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs
Network of student newsrooms producing stories for PBS.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Academic year📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectivePrinceton UniversityPrinceton Summer Journalism Program
Fully free 10-day intensive for low-income rising seniors with strong journalism interest. All travel, room, and board paid. Participants get a 4-year journalism mentor.
📍 Princeton, NJ⏱ 10 days📅 February🎓 Grade 11 - ModerateQuill and ScrollQuill and Scroll International Writing Contest
Writing and photography contest for student journalists.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateAlliance for Young Artists & WritersScholastic Writing Awards
Regional and national recognition for student writers in 11 categories. Need-based fee waivers available.
📍 Regional + national⏱ Self-paced📅 Sept-Dec by region🎓 Grades 7–12 - ModerateNYT / HultSchool of The New York Times Summer Academy
Need-based scholarships available; commuter and residential pre-college journalism courses in NYC.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 1-3 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveThe Young Authors FoundationTeen Ink
An award-winning monthly print and online magazine by and for teens.
📍 Online / Jersey City, NJ📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12