NextGenRadio

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

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

You can also read our Frequently Asked Questions.

Get Project Details

ELIGIBILTY:  Generally, no more than a one hour drive.

Exceptions: Alaska is for those in Alaska. Texas is for those in Texas. Gulf States is for Alabama, Mississippi and Louisana.

Oregon Public Broadcasting:
February 23-28, 2025
(Deadline Midnight PT, Sunday January 26)

Our tentative schedule, subject to change:

Alaska Public Radio/Alaska Press Club – April 2025                              Gulf States Newsroom – May 2025                                                                  Cincinnati Public Radio – July 2025                                                               St Louis Public Radio – Aug 2025                                                                      Texas Newsroom – Sept 2025                                                                            Syracuse University – Oct 2025      

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“The best thing about the Next Generation Radio project is that even though it’s only one week, packed with real-world reporting and audio production experiences, the skills you gain and the connections you make are designed to last a lifetime. Once you’ve proven yourself, you become a part of the NextGen family, having that support and mentorship throughout your journalism career.”

Michelle Baker, University of Nevada, Reno 2019