NextGenJournalism

Finding, coaching and training journalism's next generation.

Note: Same Next Gen Radio program, now with a different name.

Next Gen Journalism is a 5.5-day, audio-focused, digital journalism project. Our hybrid (some people in person, some not) program is designed to enable competitively selected participants to learn to report and produce a non-narrated audio piece while simultaneously creating accompanying multimedia content. Those chosen for the program are paired 1:1 with a professional journalist, who serves as their mentor for the week. Selected reporters are paid a stipend for the week.

Want to learn more?

“Next Gen” projects are hybrid (remote and in-person). Our selected cohort will report from where they are. Staffing varies by project and falls into these general categories.

This Next Gen behind-the-scenes explainer video uses our March 2023 project at the Wallis Annenberg School of Communications and Journalism at the University of Southern California as a backdrop.

Before applying, please read our Frequently Asked Questions.

Get Project Details

APPLY HERE

Our VERY tentative/subject to change 2026 schedule:

  • Next Gen: Iowa (June 14-19)
  • Next Gen: Cincinnati (July 26-31)
  • (APP DEADLINE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 11:59 PM)
  • Next Gen: Texas Newsroom (San Antonio, August 30-Sept 4)
  • Next Gen: St Louis (October4-9)
  • Next Gen: WXXI Rochester/Syracuse U. (TBD)

Check out our work!

In early 2024, with funding and production support from LAist Studios in Pasadena, CA, we launched our first-ever podcast, titled “Future Rewind.”

You can find Season #1 here.

Here is our most recent project

Here you can find our archive of previous projects

The NextGen requirement to immerse myself in a week of audio, digital, video and print journalism was a test to see how passionate I was about journalism. At the end of it, I was ready to do it all over again – because that week was undoubtedly priceless. The mentorship, guidance, and skills learned are the rewards of the project. I still speak about NextGen because it has truly been unforgettable in my career.

Shivani Persaud, WUSF Florida 2022