NextGenRadio

Finding, coaching and training public media's next generation.

Next Generation Radio is a 5-day, audio-focused, digital journalism project. Our hybrid (some people in-person, some not) program is designed to give competitively selected participants the opportunity to learn how to report and produce a non-narrated audio piece and a companion multimedia story. Those chosen for the program are paired with a professional journalist, who serves as their mentor for the week, and the chosen participant is paid a stipend for their work.

Want to learn more?

NPR’s Next Generation Radio projects are hybrid (remote and in-person). Our selected cohort will report from where they are. Staffing varies with each project but mentors fit into these general categories.

This video was produced and edited by 2017 alumna Katherine Ellis. Illustrations by Yunyi Dai and Ard Su.

You can also read our Frequently Asked Questions.

Get Project Details

We do hybrid projects. You must live within the sponsors’ city/state/region and be there the week of the program. Our NAJA projects are the lone exception.

Here is our tentative schedule:                                                     

  • Next Gen Radio: Indigenous April 16-21 (Syracuse University)  
  • Gulf States Newsroom April 30 – May 5 (WBHM)                    (DEADLINE WEDNESDAY APRIL 5, MIDNIGHT CT)
  • Chicago Public Media/WBEZ June 18-24
  • Iowa Public Radio July 9-14
  • WUNC/North Carolina Public Radio July 30 – Aug 4
  • Colorado Public Radio Aug 13-18
  • Texas Newsroom Sept 3-8 (El Paso)
  • St Louis Public Radio Sept 17-22
  • Capital Public Radio Oct 1-6 
  • Oregon Public Broadcasting Oct 22-27
  • NAJA Next Gen Radio: Indigenous (ABQ) Nov  5-10

PROGRAMMING NOTE: In 2023, Next Generation Radio is considering the meaning of home. We are looking beyond the physical space and more at the feeling of home that changes as we move, work from home, and make other big life changes. What is home to you?

Apply to a Project 

See our work!

Take a look at our most recent and past projects and all the work our students and fellows have produced.

Most Recent Project

Past Projects

“The NextGen program was definitely the most meaningful part of my college career. There’s no doubt in my mind that week made me a better journalist and storyteller. Also, the program connected me to people who love radio as much as I do. I can’t begin to describe how validating that is and how much confidence it gives me moving forward.”

Morgan Kuehler-Gray, KUT Austin 2019