FAQ

Refer to the 2026 Next Challenge Official Rules for further details.

+ Why should I apply to the Next Challenge?

The Next Challenge is an unparalleled opportunity for your media startup to connect with industry leaders and move your venture forward. Benefits of participating in the Next Challenge include:

  • The opportunity to strengthen your pitch
  • Exposure to potential partners and investors
  • Finalist recognition, stipend, and promotional opportunities throughout the competition
  • Industry-specific mentors and training events for division finalists
  • Non-dilutive cash prizes
  • Grand prize awarded to the most promising media venture

+ Who is eligible?

Who is eligible for the Catalyst and Cornerstone awards?

  • Legally incorporated for-profit and nonprofit media startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories. A venture is considered U.S.-based if it is legally incorporated in the U.S. and if the majority of employees and/or contractors live in the United States. Projects with a fiscal sponsor may apply only if the project is intended to become its own independent company or nonprofit organization. The project may not be a program, lab, center, research initiative, or internal venture of a university, nonprofit, or company.
  • Legally incorporated no more than ten years prior to the application deadline (no earlier than March 10, 2016).
  • Earned less than US $1,000,000 (gross revenue including philanthropic support) in the twelve months ending December 31, 2025. This does not include investment dollars.
  • Ventures that are (1) launched and/or actively publishing and (2) are able to provide access to their content, product, or service as part of their application.

Who is eligible for the Pioneer award?

  • U.S.-based independent creators (individuals or collaborations). Independent creators do not need to be legally incorporated.
  • Exercise editorial control over their own work and are not structurally employed by or contractually subordinate to a media institution that sets editorial priorities, legal strategy, or publishing decisions. 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.

Previous Next Challenge monetary award winners and companies where American Public Media Group (APMG) has an ownership stake are not eligible to apply. Refer to the official rules for detailed eligibility requirements.

+ What are the award divisions and cash awards?

Startups can apply in one (and only one) of three divisions:

  • Catalyst Award for Local News Innovation - Up to $50,000 awarded to a startup building digital tools to address the critical tech needs of journalists and local news organizations.

  • Cornerstone Award for Local News Infrastructure - Up to $50,000 awarded to a groundbreaking nonprofit or for-profit news organization that represents a new way forward for local journalism in the United States.​ ​​

  • Pioneer Award for Local Creator Journalism - Up to $50,000 awarded to an independent journalist using emerging digital platforms to strengthen civil discourse in their local community.​

An additional Grand Prize Award of up to $25,000 will be given to a Division Winner selected by the Grand Prize Jury.

Additional awards will be given to outstanding Division Finalists. Division Winners are not eligible for these additional finalist awards.

  • Vision Award - Up to $12,500 awarded to a finalist with a bold vision to reinvent media and journalism.

  • Trust Award - Up to $12,500 awarded to a finalist investing in transparency and engagement efforts to strengthen relationships with low trust audiences.

+ How long will it take to apply?

We value your time! The initial application should take no more than an hour to complete. Applicants that make it to the Division Finalist rounds will be asked to submit a pitch deck and short video. Division finalists will also be invited to optional activities including a mentorship session and relevant training. Division finalsits will also be given a $3,000 USD stipend for their time and to support their travel to attend the National Awards Celebration at Media Impact Forum in May.

+ What are the application deadlines?

First-stage applications will be accepted until Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT

Division Finalists and Division Winners will be notified when additional information is needed for future rounds.

+ Where do I apply?

First-stage applications can be completed online using the YouNoodle platform. A link to the application is available on the “Apply” page.

+ How are applications judged?

APMG, with support from independent judges with media, investing, and/or subject matter expertise, will review all eligible entries and score them according to the following weighted criteria:

  • Division Fit: Please visit the division-specific pages of our website to learn what our judges will be looking for in each division. (30%)
  • Innovation: Is this an innovative idea? Does the startup propose a novel, disruptive or unique business concept? (20%)
  • Audience Impact: Does the startup have a well-defined target market? Will this venture have a significant positive impact on its intended audience? (20%)
  • Business Model: Does the plan indicate how the product/service will be distributed, have a realistic revenue and pricing model, and demonstrate potential to grow sustainably? Is there evidence that the business concept works?(20%)
  • Team: Does the team have relevant experience and understand their target audience(s)? (10%)

+ How will the awards be distributed?

Cash/non-dilutive grants will be transferred to the winning ventures’ commercial bank accounts upon the verification of application information within 60 days of prize notification.

+ Will applicants be required to attend any in-person events?

Division Finalists are expected to send one representative to the Next Challenge National Awards Celebration on May 28th. Each venture chosen as a division finalist will be given a $3,000 stipend to support their travel. The event will be part of the 2026 Media Impact Forum in San Francsisco, CA.

Mentorship meetings and other seminars or events during the competition will be held virtually.

+ What additional (non-award related) benefits will competitors receive?

All eligible applicants will have the opportunity to hone their pitch and will receive feedback on their application from competition judges.

Up to 18 Division Finalists will receive:

  • One or more mentors with relevant startup, business and/or industry experience. Mentors will meet with their startup at least once to hone their pitch and business plan to prepare for the finalist rounds.
  • Free, optional training sessions hosted by Next Challenge partner organizations.
  • Opportunities for networking and collaboration with the finalist cohort, Next Challenge partners, and funders.
  • Each venture chosen as a division finalist will be given a $3,000 stipend to acknowledge their time as finalists and support their travel to attend the Next Challenge Awards Celebration at the 2026 Media Impact Forum in San Francsisco, CA.

+ What does the mentorship phase entail?

While not required, it is strongly recommended that Division Finalist teams meet with their assigned mentors virtually at least once for one hour to receive feedback on their finalist materials before submitting them.

+ How will The Next Challenge manage application information?

First round application data will be shared with Next Challenge partners including sponsoring organizations and judges. We will not publicly publish first round applicant information including startup names, web addresses, and descriptions.

Division Finalists and winners of monetary awards, including Division Winners and Grand Prize Winner(s), will be required to release their information for publicity purposes.

Any personally identifiable information sent to, shared with or collected by APMG on this website and the YouNoodle platform is subject to APMG’s Privacy Policy.

+ Does my company need to be registered as a business?

All Entrants for the Catalyst and Cornerstone awards must be a legally and validly formed nonprofit or for-profit entity incorporated within ten years of the application due date (no earlier than March 10, 2016).

Entrants for the Pioneer Award are independent creators who are not required to be legally incorporated.

+ Can nonprofits apply?

Yes, the Next Challenge is open to both nonprofit and for-profit ventures. Nonprofit applicants need to be incorporated but do not need to have formally received 501(c)3 status.

+ Can projects with fiscal sponsors apply?

Projects with a fiscal sponsor may apply only if the project is intended to become its own independent company or nonprofit organization. The project may not be a program, lab, center, research initiative, or internal venture of a university, nonprofit, or company.

+ Can I apply if I’m not a U.S. citizen?

The Next Challenge is open to startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories. A venture is considered U.S.-based if it is legally incorporated in the U.S. (independent creators applying for the Pioneer award are not required to be legally incorporated) and if the majority of employees and/or contractors live in the United States. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply.

+ Can I apply if my company is registered outside of the U.S?

No, the Next Challenge is open only to startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories. A venture is considered U.S.-based if it is legally incorporated in the U.S. (independent creators applying for the Pioneer award are not required to be legally incorporated) and if the majority of employees and/or contractors live in the United States.

+ Can I apply if I serve customers outside of the U.S?

Yes, the Next Challenge is open to startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories serving audiences anywhere in the world.

+ Can I apply more than once or in more than one division?

You can only be the point of contact for one application and each startup can only apply in one division. You are welcome to be on the team for multiple applications.

+ What happens if I submit an application after the deadline?

Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Please contact support@younoodle.com if you are having difficulty with the application form.

+ Can my team reapply next year?

Absolutely! All applicants, except past monetary award winners, are eligible to apply again.

+ I would like to support The Next Challenge. How can I get involved?

We would love your support! Contact Glen Nelson Center to get involved.

+ Who can I contact if I have questions about the application process?

Please contact team@thenextchallenge.com or use our contact form if you have questions about the application process.

+ Who can I contact if I have technical issues with the application form?

Please contact the YouNoodle support team at support@younoodle.com if you have technical difficulties or questions related to the application.