Deadline: March 10, 2026
Applications are open for the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism 2026. The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism is the largest startup competition open to nonprofit and for-profit media companies in the United States. The Next Challenge isn’t just about funding startups, it’s about accelerating ideas that help local communities stay informed, connected, and engaged.
Awards
This year, $250,000 will be awarded to early-stage startups serving media and journalism. Division finalists will receive a $3,000 stipend, and the division winner will receive a grant of up to $50,000. All division winners are eligible for an additional $25,000 Grand Prize Award.
Winners are selected from up to 18 Division Finalists, who will receive:
- A $3,000 stipend to acknowledge their time as a finalist and support their travel to San Francisco, CA for the 2026 National Awards Celebration. The celebration is part of the 2026 Media Impact Forum — a funder-only gathering that centers the most pressing issues and exciting solutions in media philanthropy today.
- Training opportunities with Next Challenge partners and industry leaders.
- A mentor with relevant startup, business, and/or industry experience who will help them refine their pitch deck and pitch video, which are evaluated to determine the award winners.
- A cohort of peer finalists for networking and collaboration.
Eligibility
Cornerstone and Catalyst 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.
Pioneer Award
- U.S.-based independent creators (individuals or collaborations). Independent creators do not need to be legally incorporated.
- Independent creators that exercise editorial control over their own work and are not structurally employed by or contractually subordinate to a media institution. 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.
Judging Criteria
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: Detailed descriptions provided on our website for the Cornerstone Award for Local News Infrastructure, Catalyst Award for Local News Innovation, and Pioneer Award for Local Creator Journalism. (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%)
Application
For more information, visit Next Challenge for Media & Journalism.
