AI Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship: The Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship and Lectureship is a prestigious program designed to support high school students with a passion for journalism. Established by the Freedom Forum in honor of Al Neuharth, the founder of USA Today, the scholarship aims to encourage young people who display qualities of a “free spirit,” such as courage, determination, and an independent mindset.
AI Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship Description
The annual Al Neuharth Journalism and Free Spirit Conference program is geared toward high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism and who demonstrate “free spirit” qualities. You must be available to attend the all-expenses-paid conference in Washington, D.C., in June. Students must complete an application and will be notified in mid-May if they are selected.
Students must be able to attend the conference. If selected, recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college of their choice. The program was established in 1999 to honor Al Neuharth, the founder of USA Today, the Newseum, and the Freedom Forum. The conference is designed to inspire and encourage students to pursue journalism.
Be the one to represent your state and join students from across the country in an exclusive, free journalism experience in Washington, D.C. like no other.
- Grade/Age High School Student
- Deadline: March 23, 2025
- Organization Freedom Forum
- Website: https://www.freedomforum.org/al-neuharth-free-spirit-and-journalism-conference/
- Scholarship Information: $1000
Eligibility and Application
The scholarship is open to high school students in the United States who demonstrate a strong interest in journalism. Each year, one student is selected from each state and the District of Columbia to participate. Applicants must submit:
- An essay on what it means to be a “free spirit”
- A portfolio of journalistic work
- Letters of recommendation
- Academic transcripts
How to Apply for AI Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship
To apply for the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, please complete the online application form and upload the required materials. ALL application materials must be uploaded to the online application.
Eligibility
You can apply to be the Free Spirit Scholar representing your state if you are:
- A high school junior (or senior) who will graduate in 2026 (one person is selected from each state and the District of Columbia as a representative).
- Interested in journalism and free speech.
- A free spirit (which can mean someone who is creative, courageous, a risk-taker or perseverant, or who thinks differently or displays some other quality that might be associated with being a free spirit).
- Available to attend the entire conference in person June 22-27, 2025.
Upload your supporting materials
Upload your unofficial transcript, essays, letters of recommendation, journalism samples, and a color headshot directly to your online application.
Submit two letters of recommendation
Upload your two letters of recommendation directly to your online application and include the contact information for the person providing them.
Letters should describe your qualities, interest in journalism, and characteristics that make you a free spirit. Letter writers should be familiar with your journalism work and personal characteristics.
If possible, recommendation letters should be submitted on official letterhead.
Submit three samples of journalism work
Upload them with your online application or include publicly viewable links (URLs) to three published or unpublished work samples, such as:
- Signed print or online article.
- Signed photograph
- Yearbook pages
- Online content
- Classroom journalism assignments.
- Audio or video samples posted online on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or your own website.
Submit two required essays
Upload them each of 500 words to your online application.
- Describe your interest and passion for journalism.
- What characteristics make you a “free spirit”? Describe the qualities, experiences, and/or challenges that make you a free spirit. Possible characteristics include leadership, courage, creativity, risk-taking, innovative thinking, perseverance, or overcoming circumstances to achieve something extraordinary.
All supporting application materials (transcripts, essays, etc.) must be uploaded directly to your online application, preferably in PDF format. Word documents are also permitted. Please do not submit Google Doc links.
All applicants will be notified by mid-May if they have been selected for the program.
Freedom Forum makes all decisions without regard to race, color, gender, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected classification.
AI Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship Benefits
Selected students receive a $1000 college scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they attend the Free Spirit Journalism Conference. During the conference, participants interact with journalists and other qualified individuals.
The annual event hosts 51 of the nation’s top high school journalists (one person from each state and the District of Columbia) in an immersive program designed to inspire and encourage students to pursue careers in journalism and media.
More than 1,500 Free Spirit Fellows have gone on to work for organizations such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, ESPN, the “This American Life” podcast, entrepreneurial media outlets such as The Juggernaut, network-affiliated television news stations and more.
Free Spirits have been described as people who “dream, dare and do.” Those are words that conference participants demonstrate each day and are the motto of the program.
Impact on Young Journalists
The program offers invaluable networking opportunities, hands-on learning experiences and inspiration for aspiring journalists. Many past recipients have gone on to pursue successful careers in media, using the skills and connections gained through the fellowship.
The Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship continues its mission of fostering independent thought and strong journalistic values among young people, shaping the future of the press in the United States.
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