Presidents Scholarship
Presidents Scholarship supports college students pursuing radio, television, or digital journalism with educational funding and professional development to help them advance toward journalism careers.
Funder: Radio Television Digital News Association
Due Dates: September 9, 2026 (Applications open) | October 22, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern (Application deadline) | December 2026 (Notification) | March 2027 (First Amendment Awards)
Funding Amounts: Two awards of $2,500 each annually, plus travel and lodging for Washington, D.C. programming
Summary: Supports college students pursuing radio, television, or digital journalism through educational funding and professional development.
Key Information: Applicants may apply for only one RTDNA scholarship or fellowship opportunity; multiple applications result in disqualification.
Description
The Presidents Scholarship is administered by the RTDNA Foundation, the educational arm of the Radio Television Digital News Association. It supports young journalists furthering their education while pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. Two awards are given annually in memory of former RTDNA presidents Theodore Koop, Bruce Dennis, James McCulla, John Salisbury, Bruce Palmer, Dick Cheverton, Jim Byron, Ben Chatfield, and John Hogan.
In addition to educational funding, recipients are invited to Washington, D.C., for the RTDNA Foundation First Amendment Awards and a day of professional-development training and networking with industry leaders. The scholarship is part of the Foundation’s broader effort to support journalism students and early-career professionals through scholarships and fellowships.
