Next Challenge for Media & Journalism 2026

About

The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism 2026 is a competition aimed at early-stage media startups in the U.S., offering a total prize pool of $250,000, including track-specific awards and additional grand prizes, along with valuable media resources and networking opportunities to support innovation in journalism.

Benefits

• 💰 Financial Support
• Total prize pool of $250,000, with $3,000 for finalists in each track
• 🏆 Track Champion Prize
• Winners of each track can receive up to $50,000
• 🎖 Additional Grand Prize
• All track champions are eligible for an extra $25,000 grand prize
• 🌐 Media Resources
• Access to media resources and networking support

Eligibility Criteria

• 🌍 Geographic Eligibility
• Open to early-stage media startups based in the United States
• 🏢 Legal Status
• Both nonprofit and for-profit media companies are eligible
• 💼 Business Stage
• Must be an early-stage startup in the media sector

Participation Commitments

• 📍 Physical Attendance
• Participants may need to attend events related to the competition
• 🎤 Presentation Requirement
• Must present their media startup during the competition phases

Target Region

Open to early-stage media startups in the United States

Target Sector

Focused on the media and journalism sector