SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest
Catalog organization: Society of Professional Journalists Foundation and Journalism Education Association
Compiled by: ExtracurricularHub Editorial Team — editorial policy
Last updated
Researched Aug 22, 2026
What Is SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest?
The SPJ Foundation and Journalism Education Association jointly run this national contest to deepen high-school students' understanding of media literacy and independent, ethical journalism. The 2027 topic will be published in December 2026, and the Submittable application is scheduled to open in mid-December. The exact deadline is February 21, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Eligible entrants are students enrolled in grades 9–12 in a public, private or home school within the United States. International students are not currently accepted, and a previous national SPJ/JEA essay winner may not enter again. Each student may submit one original English essay responding to the official 2027 prompt.
SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest Key Facts: Cost, Deadline, and Eligibility
| Cost | $10 |
|---|---|
| Format | Online |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Application deadline | February 21, 2027 |
| Listing last updated | August 30, 2026 |
Program details shown here reflect the current catalog record.
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