Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media GroupAnnounces the Fifth Annual Next Challenge for Media & Journalism
$250,000 in awards available to both nonprofit and for-profit startups that are building the tools, models, and voices shaping the future of local journalism.
MIAMI, February 10, 2026 — Today, Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group announced the launch of the 2026 Next Challenge for Media & Journalism, the fifth annual national startup competition supporting bold ideas that will reinvent local journalism. The announcement was made at the 2026 Knight Media Forum hosted in Miami.
“This is a defining moment for local journalism,” said Jeff Freeland Nelson, executive director of the Glen Nelson Center. “We are witnessing the critical work and innovation happening as newsrooms, media tech companies, and independent journalists step up to cover the news that matters most to their communities. The Next Challenge exists to fuel that innovation, support risk-takers, and ensure local journalism continues to play its vital role in serving our democracy.”
Applications are now open on thenextchallenge.com and will be accepted through March 10, 2026.
$250,000 will be awarded to early-stage startups across three divisions, including a Grand Prize winner that will receive an award of up to $75,000.
The 2026 award divisions are as follows:
The Catalyst Award for Local News Innovation will be presented to a groundbreaking nonprofit or for-profit news organization representing a new way forward for local journalism in the United States.
The Cornerstone Award for Local News Infrastructure will be presented to a technology startup building digital tools to address the critical needs of journalists and local news organizations.
The Pioneer Award for Creator Journalism will be presented to an independent journalist using emerging digital platforms to strengthen civil discourse and community connection at the local level.
New for this year, up to eighteen startups selected as finalists will receive:
a $3,000 stipend to compensate for their time preparing finalists materials and to support their travel to the Next Challenge National Awards Celebration held at Media Impact Forum, a funder-only conference attended by philanthropic leaders shaping the future of local journalism
one or more mentors with relevant startup, business and/or industry experience
free, optional training sessions hosted by Next Challenge partner organizations
opportunities for networking and collaboration with the finalist cohort, Next Challenge partners, and funders
The 2026 Next Challenge is supported by partners including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, Press Forward, Media Impact Funders, the Carlson Family Foundation, the the Whaley Family Foundation.
“Winning The Next Challenge was a game-changer for Nota,” said Evan Young, co-founder and COO of Nota, the 2024 Grand Prize winner. “The grant allowed us to significantly elevate our visibility at a critical moment in our growth, while the community and connections we gained through the Challenge helped us scale our impact across the industry.”
“The Next Challenge provided the momentum we needed to expand our platform and form key partnerships,” said Nick Toso, founder and CEO of Rolli, a 2023 Next Challenge finalist. “The opportunity opened doors that were instrumental to our growth and long-term impact on journalism.”
The Next Challenge will conclude with a national awards celebration on May 28 at the 2026 Media Impact Forum, the annual media showcase and funder gathering hosted by Media Impact Funders in San Francisco.
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About the Glen Nelson Center
Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group (APMG) identifies promising media innovation that drives strategic learning, business development, and accretive investments that accelerate delivery of APMG's mission to create the future of public media.Glen Nelson Center programs include the Horizon Fund, which invests in early-stage ventures with the potential to sustain and grow media and journalism over the coming decade, the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism, an annual competition that awards grants to innovative for-profit and nonprofit startups and College Emerging Voices, a Minnesota-based competition providing students the opportunity to design strategies for the next era of public media In 2023, Glen Nelson Center joined a coalition of 22 funders across the United States to help launch Press Forward, a groundbreaking national initiative aimed at revitalizing and empowering local journalism. For more information visit GlenNelson.org.
About American Public Media Group
American Public Media Group (APMG) is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR®), a 45-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states. MPR and its three regional services –MPR News, YourClassical MPR and The Current –produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences.