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YA-YA Network: Empower Fellowship
Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 23
Open to: NYC residents between the ages of 15 and 19
For youth interested in beginning their journey in social justice advocacy, Empower Fellows meet twice a week for workshops focused on identity development, self-esteem, confidence building/self-advocacy, leadership training, and allyship. At the end, Fellows complete a self-led action project. Radio Rookies: Fall 2026 Assistant Producer Internship
Application deadline: Friday, September 25
Open to: College students (Freshmen through seniors)
WNYC (New York Public Radio) and The Bell are recruiting college assistant producers to support NYC high school reporters producing audio segments that will air on WNYC. The program runs mid-October through mid-January and meets on Wednesdays, 4:30–6:30 PM, in person. Producers receive a stipend and official production credit. Brooklyn Museum: Apprentice Program
Application Deadline: Monday, September 28
Open to: NYC high school students
Guest star as a museum educator! In this paid internship, New York City teens immerse themselves in art, art history, and museum education. Guided by Museum educators and curators, apprentices create lesson plans and gain experience teaching to audiences of all ages.
Press Pass NYC: Student Journalism Leaders Fellowship
Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 30
Open to: NYC public high school students
For three months, a tight-knit cohort of young journalists from across the city will study storytelling from professional journalists. By the end of the program, fellows will have honed a critical media toolkit, pitched, reported, and published a story, and nurtured a diverse network of peers. Prior journalism experience is welcome, but not required.
Future Filmmakers
Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 30
Open to: high school students, nationwide
Interested in directing your own short documentary? In this free year-long program, working industry professionals mentor students through every stage of production, from first idea to final cut. The program offers one-on-one industry mentorship, camera and sound packages, and film distribution. Accepted students also receive fully-funded travel for themselves and a guardian to attend an in-person retreat and film festival in Berkeley, CA.
Brooklyn Public Library: Teen Internships
Application Deadline: Saturday, October 3
Open to: NYC 10th-12th graders
Three of BPL’s paid internships for teens are accepting applications until early October: Teen Night Out to design programming for other teens, StoryTeen to learn about early childhood literacy and assist with story time, and Librarians of Tomorrow to learn the behind-the-scenes of running library projects. The Freedom to Read Teen Ambassadors program is also open, applications are due today!
ReelWorks: Documentary Lab
Application Deadline: Sunday, October 4
Open to: NYC high school students
Learn how to tell powerful personal stories through film while gaining skills in planning, shooting, editing, and screening your work. This is a free introductory course to documentary filmmaking, no previous filmmaking experience is necessary. Participants are paired with a professional filmmaker mentor to plan, shoot, edit, and present a short personal film about your life and community. ReelWorks: Fall Supported Experimental Lab
Application Deadline: Sunday, October 4
Open to: neurodivergent NYC students ages 15-21
The Supported Experimental Lab is a free filmmaking workshop that meets twice a week to provide community, support, and resources for neurodivergent NYC students ages 15-21 as they explore storytelling through filmmaking. Reel Works focuses on individual needs to provide multiple entry points to expression. Students will use cameras and mobile devices, as well as professional editing software to explore storytelling and make their own short films.
PBS Student Reporting Labs: Pitch your audio story idea
Application Deadline: Friday, October 9
Open to: High school and college students nationwide
SRL is looking for student producers to contribute to On Our Minds: Unplugged, the newest season of their award-winning teen life podcast, On Our Minds. Participants will produce a 3-5 minute audio story about turning away from tech and enjoying the pleasures of logged off life. On Our Minds is also looking for podcast co-hosts (applications due January 8, 2027) and 1-minute original songs for their theme music (submissions due January 29, 2027).
DocuJam 2026
Event Dates: October 14 and 15
Presented in partnership with The Paley Center for Media and DCTV Youth Media, the youth documentary festival showcases bold, socially conscious stories told through documentary, narrative, and animation. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, giving audiences the chance to hear directly from the next generation of storytellers.
City Limits: Youth Program
Application Deadline: rolling
Open to: NYC 9th-11th graders who have been impacted by the justice system, live in NYCHA, or experience housing instability
This new five-year youth development program is designed to help young people graduate high school, progress through a postsecondary education or training pathway, and build toward long-term career success. Participants have year-round mentorship, paid summer experiences, workshops, journalism and storytelling, and access to new people and opportunities. (ADULTS: City Limits is also looking for adult mentors! If you are interested, share your interest) The Amsterdam News: Submit to On the Record
Application Deadline: Rolling
Open to: High school students
On The Record, the new youth publication of The New York Amsterdam News, is now accepting story submissions from teen journalists. Whether you’re an experienced reporter or writing your first story, they want to hear what young people are seeing, questioning, and uncovering in their communities. They are especially seeking submissions from teenagers in New York, but welcome story pitches from young people across the country, particularly those that highlight Black, African American, Afro-Latinx, and other communities of color.
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