Official Selection Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO APPLY OR BE SELECTED. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF BEING SELECTED. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.

The annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference Scholar Selection (the "Selection") is administered by The Freedom Forum, Inc. The application period for the 2026 Conferencebegins on November 5, 2025 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on March 15, 2026 (the "Application Period"). Application dates for future Conferences will be posted on Freedom Forum's website. Before applying, each eligible applicant (each an "Applicant" or "you" or "your") and, if the Applicant is under 18 years of age, the Applicant's parent or legal guardian ("Parent"), must review and agree to be bound by these Official Selection Rules (these "Rules"). By submitting an application, you and your Parent accept and agree to be bound by these Rules and accept the decisions of the Sponsor as final and binding in all respects. Online application is the only method of entry. All referenced links throughout the Rules are either pasted herein or embedded directly in the accompanying text.

1. SPONSOR AND PARTNERS

The Selection is administered by The Freedom Forum, Inc. with offices at 610 Water Street SW, Suite 300, Washington, District of Columbia, 20024 (“Freedom Forum” or "Sponsor"). The Close Up Foundation ("Close Up") will assist in the coordination and logistics of the Conference, including travel, lodging, and on-site supervision (also a "Partner"). Freedom Forum makes all Selection determinations without regard to race, color, gender, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected classification.

This Selection is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or otherwise associated with any third-party platform, including but not limited to YouTube, Instagram, Meta (formerly Facebook), X (formerly Twitter), or TikTok.

2. ELIGIBILITY

The Selection is open to individuals who, at the time of application, meet all the following requirements:

  • Are a current high school junior (rising senior by the time of the Conference) who will graduate in the following year;
  • Are interested in journalism or multimedia storytelling (including documentaries, photo essays, podcasts, or other digital media) and free expression;
  • Are a United States citizen or permanent resident;
  • Reside in one of the 50 states or Washington, D.C. (residents of U.S. territories are not eligible at this time);
  • Are available to attend the entire Conference in person, in Washington, D.C.; and
  • If applicable, have shown these Rules to a Parent who has read them, consents to the Applicant's participation, and agrees to be bound by all terms and conditions herein.

Employees, officers, directors, agents, or representatives of Sponsor and Sponsor's Partners, their advertising and promotional agencies, and entities participating in the design, marketing, administration, judging, or fulfillment of this Selection, as well as each of their parent corporations, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies (collectively with Sponsor, the "Selection Entities"), and each of their immediate family members and members of their households, are ineligible to participate.

3. TIMING

The Selection consists of the following phases: (1) Application Period; (2) Review and Judging; (3) Notification; (4) Scholar Materials Deadline; and (5) Conference. Specific dates for each phase will be posted on Freedom Forum's website and communicated to Applicants and Selected Scholars directly as relevant. In the event of any conflict between the dates stated in these Rules and the dates stated in the Scholar Materials provided to Selected Scholars, the Scholar Materials shall control.

The Application Period for the 2026 Conference opens on November 5, 2025 and closes at 11:59 p.m. PT on March 15, 2026. The Conference will be held June 21–26, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

Sponsor's computer is the official timekeeping device for the Selection.

4. HOW TO APPLY

During the Application Period, Applicants must complete and submit the online application form and upload all required materials (collectively, the "Application"). Specifically, each Applicant must submit the following:

  1. A completed online application form;
  2. Two (2) essays (maximum 500 words each):
    • Essay 1: Describe your interest in and passion for journalism or multimedia storytelling.
    • Essay 2: What characteristics make you a "free spirit"? Describe the qualities, experiences, and/or challenges that make you a free spirit. Possible characteristics include leadership, courage, creativity, risk-taking, innovative thinking, perseverance, or rising above circumstances to accomplish something extraordinary.
  3. Three (3) journalistic or multimedia storytelling work samples, which may be published or unpublished. Accepted formats include bylined print or online articles, photography, audio, video, yearbook pages, multimedia projects, or classroom assignments. Samples may be uploaded as PDFs, Word documents, or publicly viewable links (URL). Do not submit Google Docs links.
  4. At least one (1) letter of recommendation (two strongly preferred). Letters should describe the Applicant's qualities, interest in journalism or multimedia storytelling, and characteristics that make the Applicant a free spirit. Letter writers should be familiar with the Applicant's work and personal characteristics. If possible, letters should be submitted on official letterhead. If letters are unable to be shared directly with you, please have the letter writer upload the document here.
  5. An unofficial high school transcript;
  6. A color headshot of the Applicant.

All supplemental materials must be uploaded directly to the online application, preferably as PDFs. Word documents are also permissible. SAT or ACT scores are not required. Each Applicant may submit only one (1) Application. Incomplete Applications will not be considered.

5. GENERAL GUIDELINES

All Applications and materials provided in connection with the Selection must comply with the following:

  1. Applications and materials must not include any content that:
    • Is inappropriate, hateful, tortious, slanderous, defamatory, threatening, indecent, violent, libelous, obscene, or offensive, or refers to dangerous, unlawful, or illegal acts, or may involve any criminal or civil liability;
    • Promotes bigotry, racism, hatred, or harm against any group or individual, or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion or religious beliefs, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or age;
    • Violates or infringes upon the rights of any third party, including copyrights, trademarks, or rights of privacy or publicity, or is unlawful, in violation of, or contrary to any applicable laws or regulations;
    • Identifies any person other than the Applicant by name or other identifiable elements without that person's written consent;
    • Is deemed inappropriate for public dissemination by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
  2. By submitting an Application, the Applicant represents and warrants that the Applicant has complied with all foregoing requirements and obtained all necessary permissions, licenses, and consents to submit and use the Application materials as permitted by these Rules.
  3. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify Applicants or Applications that do not meet any of the requirements above or for any other reason. Applications cannot be withdrawn, revised, or altered once submitted unless Sponsor agrees to do so in writing.

6. SELECTION PROCESS AND NOTIFICATION

All qualifying Applications will be reviewed by Sponsor's designated reviewer(s) and a selection committee comprised of Freedom Forum staff, leadership, and a board member. Applications will be evaluated holistically based on the overall strength of the Application, taking into account the following criteria (not listed in order of priority):

  • Academic Information: While a high GPA is not required, academic achievement should be at least minimally acceptable. The Applicant's school environment and potential to benefit from the Conference will also be considered.
  • Activities, Community Service, and Awards: Journalism and media-related extracurricular activities are given the most weight, but other activities demonstrating school and community involvement will be considered. Media-related honors are a significant factor, though other awards demonstrating initiative and commitment are also valued.
  • Essays: Essays should reflect both an interest in journalism or multimedia storytelling and characteristics of being a free spirit. Both qualities must be apparent. Applications will also be evaluated on the overall quality of written communication, including grammar and attention to detail.
  • Recommendations: Two recommendations are preferred, but only one is required. Family member recommendations are generally not accepted. Recommendations will be evaluated for the writer's knowledge of the Applicant, detail and specificity, and descriptions of the Applicant's journalism connections and free-spiritedness. Journalism-related recommendations are given more weight.
  • Work Samples: Samples will be assessed for communication abilities and journalistic skills. Media-related work is preferred, though classroom assignments are accepted.
  • Overall Impression: Consistent with the Conference's founding mission to foster diverse voices in journalism, the selection process considers each Applicant as a whole person. This criterion evaluates how well all application materials come together to present a comprehensive picture of the Applicant's suitability for the program, taking into account the Applicant's unique background, life experiences, socioeconomic circumstances, and perspectives, and how those have shaped the Applicant's interest in journalism and storytelling.

Sponsor's selection committee will evaluate each Application in its entirety and select the Applicants who, in Sponsor's sole judgment, best demonstrate the qualities and potential the Conference is designed to foster. Any ties or similarly qualified Applicants from the same state will be resolved by the selection committee, with priority given to the strength of the Applicant's passion for journalism and free spirit qualities, and then quality of work samples.

Sponsor will select up to fifty-one (51) Applicants — one (1) representing each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia — with the best overall application based on the evaluation criteria (each a "Selected Scholar"). All Applicants will be notified by email following the Review and Judging phase.

Within the time specified by Sponsor following notification, each Selected Scholar must complete, sign, and return all documentation requested by Freedom Forum and its Partners (collectively, the "Scholar Materials"),which may include but are not limited to:

  1. A signed Release, NDA, and Voluntary Participation Agreement (the "Participation Agreement");
  2. Close Up's required medical documentation;
  3. Parent travel confirmation.

Specific deadlines and instructions for Scholar Materials will be communicated directly to Selected Scholars upon notification. If a Selected Scholar fails to timely submit all required Scholar Materials by the deadlines specified therein, Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify such Scholar, select an alternate from the next best qualified Applicant, and Sponsor shall be fully released from any liability in this regard.

7. THE CONFERENCE

The Conference will be held in person in Washington, D.C. Selected Scholars are expected to attend the entire Conference and all scheduled sessions, activities, and field trips. Receiving any award or scholarship is contingent upon full completion of the Conference.

The Conference experience includes:

  • Sessions with top-level journalists, media executives, and multimedia storytellers;
  • A private dinner with Free Spirit alumni;
  • Attendance at the corresponding year’s Free Expression Awards ceremony;
  • Behind-the-scenes tours of D.C. newsrooms;
  • Tours of Washington, D.C., sites, including memorials, monuments, Capitol Hill, Smithsonian museums, and a Potomac River dinner cruise;
  • Class commencement ceremony; and
  • Opportunities to connect with fellow student journalists from across the country.

Parents are not allowed to attend the Conference.

All Selected Scholars must comply with the Student Conduct and Conference Rules set forth in the Participation Agreement.

8. AWARDS AND TAXES

Each Selected Scholar who completes the Conference will be recognized as a Free Spirit Scholar for that year’s Selection cycle and will receive the following (each an "Award"):

  1. An all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., including round-trip airfare (or ground transportation), hotel accommodations, and meals during the Conference;
  2. A $1,000 USD scholarship to the college or university of the Selected Scholar's choice (the "Scholarship"), payable directly to the institution upon the Selected Scholar's enrollment. The Scholarship may only be applied toward tuition and other educational expenses as defined by the Selected Scholar's designated college or university and will not be paid directly to the Selected Scholar under any circumstances. The Scholarship must be redeemed within three (3) years of the Selected Scholar's participation in the Conference. Any unused funds after this date will be forfeited.

The approximate value of all Awards is approximately $188,000. Awards may not be substituted, assigned, or transferred by the Scholar, or redeemed for cash, but Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute an Award (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value.

Any applicable federal, state, and local taxes and other liabilities arising from or in connection with the Selection or any Award are the sole responsibility of each Selected Scholar (or the Selected Scholar's Parent, as applicable). Each Selected Scholar acknowledges that the Selected Scholar is a volunteer, is not an employee of Freedom Forum, and will not be paid for participating in the Conference.

9. LICENSE AND RELEASE OF MATERIALS

By submitting an Application, each Applicant grants to Freedom Forum a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable license to use, reproduce, display, publish, distribute, and create derivative works from all materials submitted as part of the Application (including essays, work samples, headshots, and any other content provided through the application process), in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter devised, for any lawful purpose, including promotion, advertising, fundraising, and administration of the Selection. Freedom Forum may use any part of the foregoing, including but not limited to the Applicant's name, likeness, state of residence, and biographical information in connection with such use. This license survives regardless of whether the Applicant is selected as a Selected Scholar. All rights relating to filming, recording, photography, and materials created during or after the Conference are governed exclusively by the Participation Agreement.

10. ASSUMPTION OF RISK, RELEASE, AND INDEMNIFICATION

By entering the Selection, each Applicant and Parent agrees to be fully and unconditionally bound by these Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and waives any and all rights to claim ambiguity in the Selection or these Rules. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Applicant hereby releases the Selection Entities and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives, owners, and employees (collectively, the "Releasees") from any and all liabilities, claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, and expenses (collectively, "Claims") arising directly or indirectly from the Applicant's participation in the Selection, including but not limited to Claims relating to the application process, the evaluation or non-selection of any Applicant, or any use of Application materials as permitted by these Rules. This release does not extend to Claims arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Releasee. All assumptions of risk, releases, and indemnification obligations relating to Conference attendance and participation are governed exclusively by the Participation Agreement.

ALL AWARDS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITH NO WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND. THE SELECTION ENTITIES DO NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, RELATIVE TO ANY AWARD, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

The Releasees are not responsible for: (i) lost, late, misdirected, undeliverable, or incomplete Applications due to system errors, failure, or faulty transmissions; (ii) technical failures of any kind; (iii) failures of any equipment or programming associated with the Selection; (iv) unauthorized human or mechanical intervention in any part of the application process or the Selection; (v) technical or human error in the administration of the Selection or processing of Applications; or (vi) any injury or damage to
persons or property caused, directly or indirectly, by participation in the Selection or receipt or use of any Award.

If for any reason the Selection is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor, then Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend all or any part of the Selection and to choose Selected Scholars from among all eligible Applications received up until the time of such action.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys' fees) and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages.

12. JURY TRIAL WAIVER

EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW AND AS A CONDITION OF PARTICIPATING IN THIS SELECTION, APPLICANT AND PARENT HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SELECTION, THESE RULES, ANY DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

13. APPLICABLE LAWS AND JURISDICTION

This Selection is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Issues concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Rules, and all disputes arising out of or connected with this Selection (collectively, "Disputes"), shall be governed by the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to any principles of conflict of laws, except that the arbitration clause herein shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act.

All Disputes shall be settled by arbitration pursuant to the JAMS Arbitration Rules and Procedures conducted with a single arbitrator knowledgeable of contract and intellectual property law at the JAMS office nearest to Freedom Forum's address in Washington, D.C. The arbitrator's decision shall be conclusive and binding, and there shall be no right of appeal. All Disputes shall be arbitrated on an individual basis. Each party irrevocably waives any right to proceed on a class or collective basis, all right to trial by jury, and any claim of improper venue or forum non conveniens. The parties shall bear their own expenses, except that parties shall equally share the expenses of the arbitrator. The prevailing party may seek an award of reasonable outside attorneys' fees and costs incurred. Judgment on any award rendered by an arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

14. PRIVACY POLICY

By entering this Selection, you acknowledge and agree that: (i) you have opted in to Freedom Forum's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, copies of which are available on Freedom Forum's website and may be updated from time to time; (ii) you have read and consent to the foregoing; and (iii) you are giving your permission to receive emails from Sponsor and/or its Partners for Conference and marketing purposes. Parent and Applicant may opt out of non-essential communications in accordance with Freedom Forum's policies.

You further acknowledge that if you are chosen as a Selected Scholar, certain of your identifying information may be disclosed to third parties as required by law. By entering the Selection and providing your Application and personal information, you agree to the collection and use of your personal information by the Selection Entities for the purpose of administering the Selection and Conference.

15. CONFIDENTIALITY

Selected Scholars may receive or have access to confidential or proprietary information of Freedom Forum or its Staff in connection with the Conference. Each Selected Scholar agrees to keep all such non-public information strictly confidential and not to disclose, publish, or distribute the same to any third party without Freedom Forum's prior written consent. Each Applicant and Parent agrees not to make or publish any statement about Freedom Forum, its Staff, the Selection, or the Conference that is knowingly or recklessly false or misleading. Nothing in these Rules restricts any Applicant's or Parent's right to express opinions, provide honest commentary, or make truthful statements about their experience.

16. FORCE MAJEURE

The failure of Sponsor to comply with any provision of these Rules due to an act of God, hurricane, war, terrorism, fire, riot, earthquake, criminal or terrorist activities or threats, actual or threatened epidemics or pandemics, public health quarantine, government restrictions or shutdowns, strikes, severe weather conditions, actions of governmental authorities outside the control of Sponsor, or other force majeure event shall not be considered a breach of these Rules. In such event, Sponsor may cancel, postpone, or modify the Selection or Conference without liability.

17. SELECTED SCHOLARS LIST

For sixty (60) days after Selected Scholars are announced for a given Selection cycle, you may send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "Free Spirit Scholars List" for the names of that year’s Selected Scholars.

18. MISCELLANEOUS

Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. If any provision of these Rules is found to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed from the remainder of these Rules, which will otherwise remain in full force and effect. Sponsor reserves the right to interpret these Rules and resolve any disputes, claims, or ambiguities concerning the Selection, and Sponsor's decisions shall be final.

Freedom Forum may license, assign, and otherwise transfer these Rules and all rights granted hereunder to any person or entity. Applicants and Scholars may not transfer or assign any rights or obligations under these Rules without Freedom Forum's prior written consent. Any transfer or assignment in violation of this section shall be null and void.

These Rules constitute the complete agreement between Sponsor and the Applicant with respect to the Selection and supersede all prior understandings and communications. These Rules may not be amended except in writing signed by Sponsor. These Rules apply to the 2026 Selection cycle. Freedom Forum may publish updated Rules for future Selection cycles by posting revised Rules on its website, which will supersede these Rules upon posting.