High School Newsroom Grant

Professional newsrooms aren’t the only ones struggling. High school journalism advisers face shrinking budgets and costly technology upgrades. So SPJ Florida offers grants of up to $500, simply by telling us what you need the money for and how your students will benefit.

It’s that easy.

SPJ Florida believes high schoolers who learn journalism now aren’t just more successful communicators in their careers – whatever those might be – they’re also better citizens. We commend high school journalists and their advisors for their stellar work effecting change by covering stories that traditional media often miss.

That’s why, in 2018, we created the SPJ Florida High School Newsroom Grant, open to all Florida high schools with a media program, big or small. That includes high school newspapers, TV stations, radio, and yearbooks. Applications are quick and easy—simply tell us what amount (up to $500) your newsroom needs, what it will be used for, and how your students will benefit. The outlet’s advisers, participating students, and high school teachers are open to apply for this grant, but their newsroom can only win once.

SPJ Florida’s board of current and former journalists (including teachers!) will judge the application. They take multiple factors into consideration, such as the newsroom’s need, a tangible plan of how the funds will be used, and why the newsroom is deserving of assistance.

If selected, winners must turn in a 250-word recap of how the money helped them, due by the end of the school year.

CLOSED. Winners will be announced in February.

Since 2018, SPJ Florida’s high school journalism grant program has awarded more than $10,000 (and counting!) to more than 20 high school journalism programs, which have spent the funds on a range of worthy efforts, including adding cameras, printing newspapers, sending students to FSPA, upgrading equipment, and more.

For guidance and inspiration, check out our past recipients…

Questions? Email Scholarship Committee chair Christiana Lilly.