Campus Progress Journalism Network

Campus Progress provides funding, training and editorial guidance to a diverse network of print, online, and broadcast media on college campuses across the country.

We help our sponsored student journalists expand print runs, purchase technology, build and upgrade web sites, report major stories, attend Campus Progress training sessions and conferences with leading journalists, and network with other progressive student journalists across the country.

Check out the full list of sponsored journalism outlets, and apply now to join the network. Applications are accepted year-round, but the next deadline is June 15 for organizations wishing to join for the 2010-2011 school year. Read more about our program below, and contact us at publications@campusprogress.org if you have questions or want to learn more.

Frequently asked questions about the network:

Why sponsor student journalism?

Campus Progress, the youth division of the Center for American Progress, is a national progressive organization working to empower young people to make their voices heard. We offer funding, training, and content support to a growing network of progressive student journalism outlets that utilize a variety of media, including the web, print, and broadcast.

With decades of aggressive, well-funded organizing, conservative groups have devoted large-scale resources to right-wing campus publications. A dozen top conservative institutions spend nearly $40 million each year on campus outreach efforts. At least $1 million per year is devoted to more than 120 right-wing student newspapers, some of which wield influence beyond their campuses.

Students want new and stronger alternatives to mainstream student newspapers and to right-wing campus journalism, and Campus Progress is here to help. We want to enable student creativity, energy, and ideas. We believe that the quality of democracy and the quality of journalism rise and fall together, and we want boost both.

What sorts of organizations are eligible for sponsorship?

Campus Progress provides grants to print and online publications, blogs, and broadcast media run by students on college campuses. We support both existing organizations with an established record of quality and new organizations whose leaders have demonstrated ability and potential.

The orientation and content of sponsored publications further the mission of the Center for American Progress, as outlined on the Center’s About Us page. Some are strongly progressive in their outlook; others do not espouse an explicitly progressive viewpoint but advance our mission by exposing injustices and speaking truth to power, or by expanding the diversity of voices on a campus.

What does CP expect of its grantees?

Campus Progress requires journalism grantees to maintain high standards of journalistic ethics and integrity. We expect students to establish and implement a strategy for content development, production, dissemination, and marketing. We generally require media outlets to obtain a faculty or staff adviser.

As of the 2009-2010 school year, sponsored print publications are expected to regularly maintain an online presence. We have partnered with a web development and hosting company to provide some organizations with customized web templates, hosting, and support. We also provide tutorials for students to design more basic sites.

Also as of the 2009-2010 school year, we have established an annual training summit, led by professional journalism instructors, for leaders of our sponsored journalism organizations. The event is free, and we provide travel and housing scholarships as needed.

Campus Progress does not necessarily agree with all views expressed by its sponsored journalism organizations, nor do we expect those organizations to agree with views we express. We do not require students to advance specific views, nor do we censor or exercise prior review over sponsored organizations.

How much money does CP offer, and for what purposes?

Grant sizes vary; this semester’s range from $275 to $3,925. We encourage applicants to request the amount they feel would be most beneficial to their organization. If we are unable to meet your full request, we will still consider you for a smaller-sized grant.

Campus Progress funding may be spent on actual, out-of-pocket expenses, including printing, supplies, technology, web development, distribution, promotion, and staff development. Grants cannot be used to provide salaries or stipends, nor can they be used for event planning or promotion. (Campus Progress has a separate application for event grants.)

What is the application procedure?

All the instructions are included on our applications page. We keep the form open year-round but encourage organizations to apply as soon as possible, as funding is awarded on a rolling basis.

Though extensions can be granted in certain instances, the deadline for first-semester (beginning of the school year through Jan. 15) grant applications is June 15; the deadline for second-semester (Jan. 16 through the end of the school year) grant applications is December 1.