Frequently Asked Questions

The deadline is Sunday, March 15, 2026. Applications must include a complete application, three work samples, two essays, at least one letter of recommendation, an unofficial high school transcript and a color headshot. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Teacher recommendations must be uploaded with the student’s online application form by the March 15 deadline.

March 15 is the deadline for all applicants.

No. Applicants are not required to provide SAT or ACT scores.

Two essays with a maximum of 500 words each must be submitted with the application.

1. Describe your interest in and passion for journalism or multimedia storytelling.
2. What characteristics make you a “free spirit”? Applicants are invited to share experiences and/or challenges that make them a free spirit. Possible characteristics include leadership, courage, creativity, risk-taking, innovative thinking, perseverance, or rising above circumstances to accomplish something extraordinary.

We accept samples such as online or print articles (yearbook, student newspaper, etc.), photography, audio, video, or other multimedia projects. These samples could be published or could be from classroom assignments.

You can upload your samples as links or attach PDFs. Word documents are also permissible. Do not send Google Docs links.

We understand that not all high schools have a student newspaper. We welcome all who are passionate about journalism or multimedia storytelling. Whether you are involved with yearbook, reporting at a print or broadcast outlet, creating content on social media, making podcasts, producing videos, or using other innovative media, you are encouraged to apply!

Yes, we can accept recommendations directly. Please have the letter writer send the it through this form.

All applicants will be notified by email no later than mid-May 2026, and responses must be received one week from the date of notification.

The conference will be in person June 21-26, 2026, at Freedom Forum’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

If you become ill or feel unwell before the conference or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, any respiratory virus or other illness, please let us know and do not attend. If you are unable to attend, please immediately notify Kevin Rohrbaugh at [email protected] or Elena Callahan at [email protected]. If you are exposed or have COVID-19-like symptoms before the conference, we recommend testing and following the CDC guidelines around respiratory illness.

Extraordinary circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must reside in one of the 50 states or Washington, D.C. Residents of U.S. territories (e.g., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands) are not eligible at this time.

No, students must reside in the United States.

Yes, accepted Free Spirit Scholars are expected to attend the conference in its entirety.

All Free Spirit Scholars are expected to attend all sessions and field trips. We plan our conference to ensure full participation by our scholars and strive to expose students to various perspectives over the course of a few days. Receiving the scholarship is contingent upon full completion of the conference.

If a Free Spirit Scholar is accepted but cannot attend for unforeseen reasons, students will forfeit the trip and scholarship.

Each winner is awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for a five-day conference that includes:

• Sessions with top-level journalists and media executives and visits to media organizations
• A private dinner with Free Spirit alumni
• Attendance at the 2026 Free Expression Awards
• Opportunities to connect with other student journalists from around the country
• Tours of Washington, D.C., sites
• A $1,000 scholarship to the university of the applicant's choice

Once you are admitted to college, please let us know by email, and we’ll send you further instructions. If your immediate plans after high school do not include college, please let us know via email. Scholarships must be claimed within three years of your participation in the program. For example, if you are a 2026 Free Spirit Scholar, then you will have until December 2029 to arrange for your scholarship payment. All scholarships are paid directly to your school of choice. When you are selected as a Free Spirit Scholar, you will be asked to sign a statement acknowledging that you understand the scholarship payment rules.

No, parents are not allowed to attend the conference, but the students will be chaperoned at all times during the conference.

Close Up Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization that offers programming to educate and encourage young people to participate in civic affairs and government. Freedom Forum partners with Close Up Foundation so that Free Spirits have the most comprehensive, experienced care while participating in the program.

Daily Wear: Business casual attire
Evening Wear: Casual
Free Expression Awards: Business formal

The Free Spirit Alumni and 2026 Class dinner is an annual private dinner that brings together the new Free Spirit Scholars class and Free Spirit alumni for an evening of conversation and connection.

Hosted by Freedom Forum, the Free Expression Awards is an annual event that honors the achievements of those who have championed or celebrated free expression and the First Amendment in ways that have inspired others. Attendees include thought leaders, policymakers, influencers and journalists from around the country.