NPR's College Podcast Challenge is back for its fifth year, with a $5,000 cash prize

If you have a passion project or a story you want to get off your chest, here's your chance to make it happen. We'll air the winner, and many of our finalists and honorable mentions, too, on NPR programs like Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

Whether you're a seasoned student journalist, or a math or science major recording your first podcast, we want to hear from you. Many of our prior standout entries came from students with little or no journalism or podcasting experience.

So, students, we want to hear from you. The 2025 College Podcast Challenge is open now and will close on Jan. 16, 2026. Submit your entry at npr.org/studentpodcastchallenge.