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.
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.
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.
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
“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