National Press Club

National Press Club Scholarships: Application tips and tricks to stand out in the crowd

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Jan 28 2026

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Jan 28, 2026 at 11:00am

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Holly Butcher Grant

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Journalism Institute

Each year, the National Press Club awards more than $30,000 in funding to student journalists at the high school, college, and graduate levels. But with hundreds of applicants competing for six opportunities each year, how can students stand out in the crowd?

Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute from 11 a.m. to noon ET on Wednesday, Jan. 28, for an inside look at what makes an application exceptional. The session will take place via Zoom; registration is open here. 

We’ll cover scholarship application dos and don’ts, including advice on developing strong essay responses, selecting stellar work samples, and choosing the right individuals for a letter of recommendation. You’ll also have plenty of opportunity to ask questions about the application process, eligibility requirements, and selection timeline. 

We hope you’ll attend even if you’re unsure about applying for an NPC scholarship. The tips and tools shared will help with any application you have on your radar.

2026 National Press Club scholarship opportunities include:

  • The Scholarship for Journalism Diversity Honoring Julie Schoo is a $5,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior. The award can be renewed for up to three years at $5,000 per year. 
  • The Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $5,000 to support a high school senior who wishes to pursue a career in journalism. 
  • The Wes Vernon Broadcast Scholarship supports diversity within broadcast journalism. The scholarship is $5,000 awarded to a student who demonstrates a commitment to a career in broadcast journalism. The award can be renewed for up to three years.  
  • The Lewis Scholarship provides housing and a monthly stipend to support student journalists of color with newsroom internships in Washington, D.C., during the summer semester.
  • The Dennis and Shirley Feldman Fellowship recognizes a journalism graduate student with a one-time scholarship of $5,000.
  • New this year: The Rich Passan Sports Writing Scholarship is a $5,000 award supporting undergraduate college juniors or seniors who demonstrate excellence and promise in sports journalism.

All applications are due on Sunday, March 1, at 11:59 p.m. ET. (You can apply using this link.)

Donate to help us support early-career journalists with training: Your tax-deductible donation today can support the student journalists who will lead the industry into tomorrow. Please visit our giving page to donate. There, you can designate which scholarship you’d like to support.