The NPR College Podcast Challenge returns for its fifth edition, offering a grand prize of $5,000.
If you’ve been eager to share a personal story or a creative project, this is your moment. The winning podcast, along with several finalists and honorable mentions, will be featured on NPR shows such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
Whether you’re an experienced student reporter or a science or engineering major trying podcasting for the first time, we want to hear your voice. Many past standout entries have come from students with little to no background in journalism or audio production.
Since 2018, NPR has hosted a Student Podcast Challenge for middle and high school students. From the beginning, college students expressed interest in participating, which led to the launch of the collegiate competition five years ago.
Since then, college participants have submitted remarkable stories from across the nation. Examples include Jo Strogatz’s award-winning piece on finding happiness outside of romantic relationships, Michael Vargas Arango’s candid narrative about living with a rare mental health disorder, and Aria Young’s poignant reflections on immigrating to the U.S. and adopting an American name.
This contest has also connected NPR with talented young journalists and fostered lasting relationships. The inaugural grand prize winner, Anya Steinberg, who shared her journey searching for her birth mother, now works as a producer for NPR’s Throughline.
So, college students, here’s your opportunity to take a shot! We’re eager to listen to your stories.
Contest Details
The 2025 College Podcast Challenge is officially open for submissions starting October 1, 2025, and will close on January 16, 2026. This timeline allows you to develop your podcast during the fall semester and holiday break. Ready to submit? You can do so here.
From all entries, 10 finalists will be selected. A panel of judges will then choose the grand prize winner, who will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Each finalist will also be awarded $500.
The competition welcomes all students currently enrolled in associate or bachelor’s degree programs, as well as those who graduated earlier in 2025.
Keep in mind two important rules: (1) Your podcast must be no longer than 12 minutes, and (2) you cannot include copyrighted music or audio clips. Please review the full contest guidelines here to ensure your submission complies.
How to Participate
The contest guidelines remain consistent this year: students can produce a podcast on any subject. Last year’s entries ranged from a feature on ice swimmers in the Hudson River, to an in-depth report on immigration issues in Chicago, to a recent graduate’s musings on college life and career plans.
Podcasts can take various forms, including interviews, storytelling, or investigative journalism. You may work solo, collaborate with a partner, or form a larger team.
Getting Started
To assist you, NPR has compiled a Sound Advice page filled with podcasting tips and resources. Topics include selecting a compelling subject, writing in your authentic voice, editing audio, and legally incorporating music. There’s even a fun tip on how building a pillow fort can improve your sound quality-a technique NPR reporters use when recording remotely!
Feel free to submit multiple entries. Every submission is carefully reviewed, so send us your best work.
Additional Support
Earlier this fall, NPR partnered with the Association of Independents in Radio to host a webinar detailing this year’s contest. If you missed it, the recording is available here.
To get a sense of what we’re looking for, listen to last year’s winning podcast, Just Friends by Jo Strogatz. You can also explore previous winners like Michael Vargas Arango, Aria Young, and Anya Steinberg for inspiration.
For ongoing advice, updates, and podcasting insights, subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Don’t forget to check out The Students’ Podcast, a show dedicated to helping you craft compelling podcasts.
