Applications are OPEN for the 2025 Next Challenge for Media & Journalism!
We are thrilled to announce the 2025 Next Challenge for Media & Journalism has launched! Applications are open now through March 18th with $200,000 in grants available to both nonprofit and for-profit startups transforming local news, building technology to power newsrooms, and analyzing publicly-available data to power essential local journalism.
Applicants can apply for awards in one of three divisions. One division winner will be selected for a Grand Prize, receiving a total grant of up to $75,000. Additional cash prizes, including a Vision Award and Trust Award, may be awarded to outstanding Division Finalists.
A grant of up to $50,000 will be awarded to an innovative startup serving a specific local or regional geography, filling a gap in existing local news services.
A grant of up to $50,000 will be awarded to a startup building digital tools to address the critical tech needs of journalists and local news organizations.
A grant of up to $50,000 will be awarded to a startup leveraging publicly available data to strengthen the fact-finding, verification, and accountability capabilities of local journalists.
Next Challenge finalists also get the opportunity for mentorship and connection with strategic partners to hone their pitch and strengthen their business plans.
This year’s competition is aligned with Press Forward, a national coalition of funders investing more than $500 million to strengthen local newsrooms, close longstanding gaps in journalism coverage, advance public policy that expands access to local news, and to scale the infrastructure the sector needs to survive.
Eligible companies must be legally incorporated for-profit or nonprofit organizations based in the United States that were founded no more than five years prior to the application deadline, have made progress toward their concept, and show revenue less that $1 million in calendar year 2024 not including investments. For detailed eligibility requirements, see our FAQ page and official rules.
Applications are due March 18th at 11:59 p.m. PT. For more information visit thenextchallenge.com
