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Thank you for being a 2026 Next Challenge Partner! We look forward to working with you to identify and elevate the most promising startups and creator journalists in the United States.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism is a national startup competition seeking groundbreaking creator journalists and for-profit and nonprofit startups that are shaping the future of local journalism. The fifth annual competition will award $250,000 in grants to organizations building the tools, models, and voices reinvigorating local journalism.
AWARDS
$250,000 will be awarded to early-stage startups across three divisions, including a Grand Prize winner that will receive an award of up to $75,000. This year, all finalists will receive a $3,000 stipend to support their participation in the finalist round and their attendance at the National Awards Celebration held at the 2026 Media Impact Forum.
The 2026 award divisions are as follows:
The Catalyst Award for Local News Innovation will be presented to a groundbreaking nonprofit or for-profit news organization representing a new way forward for local journalism in the United States.
The Cornerstone Award for Local News Infrastructure will be presented to a technology startup building digital tools to address the critical needs of journalists and local news organizations.
The Pioneer Award for Creator Journalism will be presented to an independent journalist using emerging digital platforms to strengthen civil discourse and community connection at the local level.
PROMOTION (for public sharing)
We are accepting applications for the Next Challenge February 10 - March 10, 2026. Example social copy and Instagram/LinkedIn, Facebook, and X images are below. You can see the full competition timeline on our homepage. Additional resources:
Next Challenge lauch email
Next Challenge press release
Share our LinkedIn post announcing the Next Challenge launch
JUDGE & MENTOR RECRUITMENT (for targeted sharing)
The Next Challenge invites our partners to share with established media leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and journalists the opportunity to apply their expertise while gaining early insight into the ideas redefining the future of local news. We anticipate judges and mentors will spend 2-4 hours total.
Stay at the forefront of what’s next in media and journalism by serving as a Next Challenge judge or mentor. Apply here by February 27th.
QUESTIONS
We are here to answer your questions! Please contact Gretchen Honnold at ghonnold@americanpublicmediagroup.org with any requests.
Please tag your posts #NextChallengeMedia
Sample Posts
The Next Challenge will award $250,000 to 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. #NextChallengeMedia
Apply by March 10: https://www.thenextchallenge.com
The Next Challenge division winners receive $50,000 and are eligible for an additional $75,000 Grand Prize. Help us find the the startups and creator journalists building the tools, models, and voices reinvigorating local journalism. #NextChallengeMedia
Apply by March 10: https://www.thenextchallenge.com
Applications for The Next Challenge are officially OPEN! Join The Next Challenge for a chance to gain mentorship from industry experts, network with other startup founders and creator journalists, and win up to $75k. Time to discover what’s next – apply today: https://www.thenextchallenge.com
Applications for The Next Challenge are OPEN! It takes an hour to apply online. Help us find the the startups and creator journalists building the tools, models, and voices reinvigorating local journalism. #NextChallengeMedia
Apply here by March 10: https://www.thenextchallenge.com
Instagram / LinkedIn Images.
Facebook Images.
X Images.
