Grant recipients will be notified before the end of September so they can register and meet all scheduling deadlines for convention activities.

NOTE: While the NHSJC team is available to provide information and answer questions, please note that it is still the responsibility of the adviser to research the event and meet ALL relevant deadlines. Please reference this page for those details. 

What is the grant?

JEA and NSPA partner to bring one adviser and two of their students (per school) to the convention hotel, covering up to four hotel nights, registration fees and convention activities like contests and critiques. See below for more details on what exactly the grant covers.

Up to two schools will be selected, and the advisers and students will have opportunities to meet each other and fully immerse themselves in the NHSJC experience. 

The program launched in 2018 with the first round of grant recipients attending the fall convention in Chicago.

Grant benefits for one adviser per school

• Complimentary convention registration (must register by the early bird deadline to receive this benefit)
• Complimentary private lodging at convention hotel for up to four nights
• Complimentary JEA Outreach Academy participation on Thursday
• One complimentary ticket to the adviser recognition luncheon on Saturday
• Free JEA membership for one year

Grant benefits for two students per school

• Complimentary convention registration (adviser must register the students by the early bird deadline to receive this benefit)
• Complimentary shared lodging at convention hotel for up to four nights (grant covers ONE shared student room, so please ensure the two students you intend to bring are able to room together)
• Complimentary registration for one Thursday preconvention workshop for each student (adviser must register the students by the early bird deadline to receive this benefit)
• Free participation in one on-site (not online) JEA National Student Media Contest (NSMC registration happen separately on JEA’s website, please note full rules/policies and contact JEA HQ to register)

Grant benefits for each school group

• Complimentary registration for one NSPA On-site Media Critique session (adviser must register by the early bird deadline to receive this benefit)
• One complimentary entry in NSPA Best of Show (adviser must register by the early bird deadline to receive this benefit and note onsite/online submission requirements) 

NOTE: The first-time convention grant does NOT cover airfare or travel to the convention.

FOR ADVISERS: While the NHSJC team is readily available to answer questions and provide information and support, it remains the responsibility of the adviser to research the convention, learn about what is required for the activities covered by the grant, and meet all relevant deadlines. Failure to plan and prepare may mean losing out on some of the benefits of this grant. 

Who is eligible?

Any journalism teacher/adviser who has not attended NHSJC previously is eligible to attend. Applications will be evaluated based on responses to a few simple questions. The grant is designed to support diverse, underserved populations and those in geographic areas where the national convention does not take place, although all complete applications will be considered.

How should advisers prepare?

NHSJC wants to ensure winning schools are ready and able to attend if they receive a grant over another school, so it is important for advisers to plan and prepare BEFORE submitting the grant application.

First, please review the convention website in detail to ensure you are familiar with NHSJC offerings as well as relevant dates and deadlines. 

Next, lining up the two prospective student attendees and obtaining administrator approval are two key preparation steps prior to submitting the online application form. The form asks advisers to submit each student’s name and some basic information and to indicate principal or administrator approval.

Additionally, please ensure you are clear on what the grant covers and what it does not. Please ensure you are aware of what will be required of you and when, as missed deadlines may mean losing out on some of the grant’s benefits. 

You’ll need to arrange your own transportation and meals. Make sure this is financially possible and approved BEFORE submitting an application.

After the application window closes, our team will evaluate the submissions and will make an announcement in September so the schools that are selected will have plenty of time to plan and register online.

For questions about grant benefits and convention offerings, please email JEA Headquarters.

For application questions, please email Valerie Kibler, MJE, at president@jea.org or vkibler@harrisonburg.k12.va.us.