Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference Recently Updated

The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference is a five-day summer program for 51 high school journalists (one from each state and the D.C.) This skill-building, network-growing journalism experience provides insider access to newsrooms and the nation’s top journalists, connections with students from across the U.S. and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference - APPLY HERE

Location: Freedom Forum’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Dates: June 22-27, 2025

Cost: Free including hotel, airfare, meals and activities. Students will also receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Deadline to apply: March 23, 2025

Age requirement: Students must be high school juniors (rising seniors) to apply.

Conference benefits include:

• Advice from leading journalists. Past speakers have included NBC’s Chief Political Analyst Chuck Todd and Pulitzer Prize-Winning NYT Reporter Megan Twohey
• A $1,000 college scholarship. 
• A free five-day trip to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., June 22-27, 2025, with hotel, airfare and meal expenses paid. 
• Lifelong connections to 50 fellow students from across the country and professionals who share your passions. 
• Ongoing support from a community of more than 1,500 program alumni who work at organizations including Apple, ABC News, Amazon, the TODAY Show, the U.S. State Department,?The Washington Post,?The Wall Street Journal,?USA TODAY, and start-ups such as digital news site The Juggernaut.