Next Challenge for Media and Journalism 2026

• Eligibility Criteria: U.S.-based independent journalists and creators, as well as legally incorporated for-profit and nonprofit media startups in the U.S.
• Type of Funding: Grant
• Region: United States
• Application Language: English

The Next Challenge in Media and Journalism 2026 will award a total of $250,000 in grants to early-stage startups and creator journalists building the tools, models, and voices reinvigorating local journalism. Finalists are eligible for up to $75,000 in awards and get a $3k stipend, free training, and the chance to work with mentors in media and business.

Thematics

The challenge awards three categories of grants to independent journalists and creators, and startups:

• The Pioneer Award for local creator journalism is presented to an independent journalist using emerging digital platforms to strengthen civil discourse in their local community.
• The Cornerstone Award for local infrastructure is presented to a technology startup building digital tools addressing
• critical needs of journalists and local news orgs.
• The Catalyst Award for local news innovation is presented to a groundbreaking news organization reimagining local journalism in the US.

Eligibility 

Pioneer award:

• U.S.-based independent creators (individuals or collaborations). Independent creators do not need to be legally incorporated.
• They exercise editorial control over their own work. Addtionally, they are not structurally employed by or contractually subordinate to a media institution that sets editorial priorities. This work may not be a program, lab, center, research initiative, or internal venture of a university, nonprofit, or company.
• Earned less than US $1,000,000 (gross revenue including philanthropic support) through their publishing work in the twelve months ending December 31, 2025. This does not include investment dollars.
• Actively publishing and able to provide access to their content, product, or service as part of their application.

Cornerstone and Catalyst awards:

• Legally incorporated for-profit and nonprofit media startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories.
• These startups should gave been incorporated no more than ten years prior to the application deadline (no earlier than March 10, 2016).
• They should have earned less than US $1,000,000 in the 12  months ending December 31, 2025. This includes phlianthropic support but does not include investment dollars.
• Ventures that are launched and/or actively publishing.
• Ventures that are able to provide access to their content/ product/  service as part of application.

How to apply 

Interested candidates can send applications for all three categories through this platform. The last date to submit applications is March 10, 2026, 11:59 PM PDT. 

For more information, please visit this page.