NYT Learning Network Contests

What this program actually is

NYT Learning Network Contests is a competition run by The New York Times. It's built for Grade 7–12th grade students who want to work remotely with The New York Times on work in Creative Writing, Humanities, Journalism.

There's no cost to participate — the program covers what it needs to.

Who it's for

Programs like this get the strongest applications from students who can point to a specific reason they want this one — not just "any research program" or "any internship."

• Students in Grade 7–12th grade — check the official page for exact grade cutoffs before applying.
• Open to students nationwide (and often internationally — verify on the official site).
• Strongest fit for students already curious about: Creative Writing, Humanities, Journalism. You don't need prior formal experience — curiosity beats credentials.

Typical day-to-day in programs like this

The following describes what participants generally do in competitions of this shape — not a confirmed schedule for NYT Learning Network Contests. Always check the official program page for the actual activities.

• Build or write a submission on your own timeline — the competition is the application.
• Get feedback from judges and, at some stages, from peers and mentors.
• If you place, you'll have a concrete, external validation you can put on any future application.

How to apply well

Selection is competitive but not unrealistic. A thoughtful application usually beats a decorated one.

• Start with the deadline: Rolling. Work backwards — most students underestimate how long recommendations and essay drafts take.
• Read the official page twice before writing anything. Note the exact prompts and word counts.
• Answer the actual question. Reviewers read hundreds of essays; specificity beats polish.
• Submit at least 24 hours before the deadline. Portals crash. Files fail to upload. Give yourself the buffer.

Cost, funding & logistics

Cost and logistics kill more applications than eligibility does. Sort these out before you get emotionally invested.

• Format: Fully remote — no travel needed.
• There's no cost to participate — the program covers what it needs to.

After the program

The most valuable thing you leave NYT Learning Network Contests with is usually not the credential — it's the two or three people you met and the one concrete thing you made. Keep in touch with your mentors and peers; they're the beginning of a professional network in Creative Writing, Humanities, Journalism.

Add the program to your resume, but also write down (for yourself) what specifically you learned, what you'd do differently, and what question you now want to answer next. That reflection is what turns a summer into a direction.