Free · No account required · Powered by AI across the world's largest grants + funders database
Currently focused on US federal, state, and foundation grants.
Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference is sponsored by Freedom Forum Inc.. An annual five-day journalism program in Washington, D.C., for 51 high school juniors (one from each state and the District of Columbia). The program includes skill-building workshops, newsroom visits, and networking with top journalists and industry leaders to inspire students to pursue careers in media and journalism.
Geographic focus: United States
Focus areas: Journalism, First Amendment, Free Expression, Media Literacy
Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt:
Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference - Freedom Forum Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The First Amendment: What You Need to Know Contact Your Representative First Amendment Reporters Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference The First Amendment on Campus The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference https://www.freedomforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FSC26_tease.mp4 Free Five-Day Summer Program for One High School Junior From Each State and Washington, D.C. A skill-building, network-growing, life-changing experience that can give you a head start on your future. Find your future: June 21-26, 2026, in Washington, D.C.! Applications are now open for the 2026 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference. The deadline to apply is March 15. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] . Want to Be a Free Spirit Scholar? If you will be a junior in the 2025-2026 school year, enter your info below, and we will remind you to apply as the deadline approaches. I am a teacher/advisor/mentor Please leave this field empty Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference! We will notify you when the application period opens in November 2025. Now in its 25th year, the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference is an engaging, in-depth, five-day summer program for 51 high school juniors (one from each state and the District of Columbia) who “Dream. Dare. Do.” Whether you’re interested in journalism or multimedia storytelling, this program is for you! Be the one to represent your state and join students from around the country at an exclusive, free Washington, D.C., journalism experience like no other. The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference Get insider access to Washington, D.C., newsrooms, connect with other high school juniors from across the U.S. who share your passion, meet some of the nation’s top journalists and multimedia storytellers and explore our capital city. Conference benefits for 51 selected students: Advice from leading journalists and media professionals, including news influencers and digital
Application snapshot: target deadline March 15, 2026; published funding information $1,000 scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.; eligibility guidance High school juniors (rising seniors) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents residing in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference - Freedom Forum Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The First Amendment: What You Need to Know Contact Your Representative First Amendment Reporters Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference The First Amendment on Campus The First Amendment to the U. S.
Constitution Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference https://www. freedomforum.
org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FSC26_tease. mp4 Free Five-Day Summer Program for One High School Junior From Each State and Washington, D. C.
A skill-building, network-growing, life-changing experience that can give you a head start on your future. Find your future: June 21-26, 2026, in Washington, D. C.!
Applications are now open for the 2026 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference. The deadline to apply is March 15. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] .
Want to Be a Free Spirit Scholar? If you will be a junior in the 2025-2026 school year, enter your info below, and we will remind you to apply as the deadline approaches. I am a teacher/advisor/mentor Please leave this field empty Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference!
We will notify you when the application period opens in November 2025. Now in its 25th year, the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference is an engaging, in-depth, five-day summer program for 51 high school juniors (one from each state and the District of Columbia) who “Dream. Dare.
Do. ” Whether you’re interested in journalism or multimedia storytelling, this program is for you! Be the one to represent your state and join students from around the country at an exclusive, free Washington, D.
C. , journalism experience like no other. The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference Get insider access to Washington, D.
C. , newsrooms, connect with other high school juniors from across the U. S.
who share your passion, meet some of the nation’s top journalists and multimedia storytellers and explore our capital city. Conference benefits for 51 selected students: Advice from leading journalists and media professionals, including news influencers and digital entrepreneurs A $1,000 college scholarship A free five-day trip to the nation’s capital, Washington, D. C.
, June 21-26, 2026, with hotel, airfare and meal expenses covered. Lifelong connections to 50 fellow students from across the country and professionals who share your passions Ongoing support from a community of alumni who work at organizations including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post , Apple, ABC News, NBC’s “Today Show”, USA TODAY, and start-ups such as the digital news site The Juggernaut.
2025 Free Spirit Scholars pose in front of the Anthem at the Free Expression Awards. (Aaron Null/Freedom Forum) Meet the staff of The Independent Florida Alligator — 2025 Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media honorees panel. Featuring (from left) Politics Reporter Vivienne Serret, Editor-in-Chief Aidan Bush, Editor-in-Chief Siena Duncan, and University Editor Garrett Shanley.
(Vincent Hsiao, 2025 Free Spirit Scholar, Missouri) 2025 Free Spirit Scholars at the Free Expression Awards. (Kyle Gustafson/Freedom Forum) 2025 Free Spirit Scholar speaking at commencement ceremony. (Malek Naz Freidouni/Freedom Forum) 2025 Free Spirit Scholars celebrate with a selfie.
(Malek Naz Freidouni/Freedom Forum) Free Spirit class of 2024 (Malek Naz Freidouni/Freedom Forum) 2024 Free Spirit Scholars attend the conference alumni dinner. (Malek Naz Freidouni/Freedom Forum) 2024 Free Spirit Scholars visit Capitol Hill.
(Malek Naz Freidouni/Freedom Forum) 2024 Free Spirit Scholars with guest speaker New York Times investigative reporter David Fahrenthold (Malek Naz Freidouni/Freedom Forum) 2024 Free Spirit Scholars celebrate with a selfie.
(Malek Naz Freidouni/Freedom Forum) “Covering Elections and Politics in 2024” panel featuring (from left) NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd, CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang, New York Times congressional correspondent Catie Edmondson and Washington Post national political reporter Isaac Arnsdorf. (Malek Naz Freidouni/Freedom Forum) 2023 Free Spirit Scholars visit The Wall Street Journal .
(Malek Naz Freidouni/Freedom Forum) 2023 Free Spirit Scholar Riana Mahtani at the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media luncheon Q&A (Malek Naz Freidouni/Freedom Forum) “The 2024 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference was the most incredible week of my life. It perfectly combined learning from industry professionals with socializing with like-minded student journalists from all across the country.
” Michael Faherty , 2024 Free Spirit Scholar, Connecticut Your D. C. experience includes: Networking with alumni journalists and digital entrepreneurs at the Free Spirit alumni and 2026 class dinner.
Connecting with thought leaders, influencers, policymakers and journalists at the Free Expression Awards ceremony honoring champions of the First Amendment. Behind-the-scenes tours of D. C.
newsrooms. Past visits have included The Wall Street Journal , USA TODAY, Fox News and C-SPAN. Class commencement ceremony Tours of city sites such as the memorials and monuments at night, Capitol Hill, Smithsonian museums, and a Potomac River dinner cruise.
Conference panels and on-site newsroom visits covering such topics as: Understanding the First Amendment Journalism and multimedia storytelling careers Free Spirit alumni career pathways Freedom Forum partners with Close Up Foundation , a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic organization that has hosted student programs in Washington, D. C.
, since 1971 to ensure Free Spirit Scholars have the most comprehensive, experienced care, while participating in the conference. To apply for the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, complete the online application form and upload the required materials. ALL application materials must be uploaded in the online application.
You can apply to be the Free Spirit Scholar representing your state if you are: A current high school junior (rising senior by the time of the conference) who will graduate in 2027 Interested in journalism or multimedia storytelling (including documentaries, photo essays, podcasts or other digital media) and free expression A free spirit, which can mean someone who is a risk-taker, a visionary, an innovative leader, an entrepreneur or a courageous achiever who accomplishes great things beyond his or her normal circumstances Available to attend the entire conference in person June 21-26, 2026 Applicants must be U.
S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must reside in one of the 50 states or Washington, D.
C. Upload your supplemental materials Upload your unofficial transcript, essays, letters of recommendation, journalism or multimedia storytelling samples and a color headshot directly to your online application. Submit letter(s) of recommendation Upload your letter(s) of recommendation directly to your online application and include the contact information of the person providing it.
Two letters of recommendation are strongly preferred, but only one is required. Letters should describe your qualities, interest in journalism or multimedia storytelling and characteristics that make you a free spirit. Letter writers should be familiar with your work and personal characteristics.
If possible, letters of recommendation should be submitted on official letterhead.
Submit three journalistic or multimedia storytelling work samples Upload with your online application or include publicly viewable links (URL) to three published or unpublished work samples such as: Bylined print or online article Classroom journalism or multimedia storytelling assignments Audio or video samples posted online to YouTube, TikTok, your own website or other platforms Upload each 500-word essay into your online application.
Describe your interest in and passion for journalism or multimedia storytelling. What characteristics make you a “free spirit”? Describe the qualities, experiences and/or challenges that make you a free spirit.
Possible characteristics include leadership, courage, creativity, risk-taking, innovative thinking, perseverance, or rising above circumstances to accomplish something extraordinary. All supplemental application materials (transcripts, essays, samples, etc.) must be uploaded directly to your online application, preferably as PDFs.
Word documents are also permissible. Do not send Google Docs links. All applicants will be notified by mid-May 2026 if they have been selected for the program.
Freedom Forum makes all determinations without regard to race, color, gender, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or any other protected classification. “I would highly encourage anyone who is interested in journalism to apply to the Free Spirit Conference. It helped me expand my sense of the world and just grew my love for journalism.
” Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the annual conference, established to honor Al Neuharth, founder of Freedom Forum and USA TODAY, is designed to inspire and encourage high school juniors to pursue careers in journalism, multimedia storytelling and the media industry.
Many alumni have gone on to work for organizations including The New York Times , The Washington Post , The Wall Street Journal , USA TODAY, ESPN, the “This American Life” podcast, entrepreneurial media outlets like The Juggernaut, network-affiliated television news stations and more.
Some Scholars have gone on to attend schools with leading journalism programs , such as Northwestern University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Maryland and Stanford University. The motto of the conference is “Dream. Dare.
Do. ” These words guide Free Spirit Scholars every day. Al Neuharth in his own words From Al Neuharth, founder of the Freedom Forum, USA TODAY and the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference: “Free press, free speech and free spirit.
The first two are easy to grasp: Free Press: The freedom to print or broadcast without censorship. Free Speech: The freedom to speak without compromise. Free Spirit is harder to define.
Free spirits dream, dare and do. A free spirit can also be a risk-taker, a visionary, an innovative leader, an entrepreneur or a courageous achiever who accomplishes great things beyond his or her normal circumstances. ” “It was the experience of a lifetime and has supported me in pursuing my dreams of becoming a journalist!
” Meghan K. Whitten , 2025 Free Spirit Scholar, Oregon Frequently Asked Questions Al Neuharth in His Own Words The First Amendment: What You Need to Know Sports, Music and Culture
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: High school juniors (rising seniors) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents residing in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $1,000 scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is March 15, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
