Join our national network of student publications. We are now accepting applications for the 2009-2010 school year.
Why sponsor student publications?
Campus Progress, the youth division of the Center for American Progress, is a national effort to strengthen progressive voices on college campuses. To that end we offer funding, training and content support to a growing network of progressive student publications, both online and in print.
After decades of aggressive and well-funded organizing, conservative publications aimed at colleges and universities are more influential than ever. A dozen top conservative institutions spend nearly $40 million each year on campus outreach efforts. A substantial portion of those efforts is devoted to funding and sustaining more than 120 right-wing student newspapers that wield influence beyond their campuses.
Progressive students, meanwhile, have been left to fend for themselves. Progressive student efforts and publications frequently lag behind those of the right wing in organization and funding.
Students want new and stronger alternatives to right-wing campus journalism, but they can't do it alone. We want to enable student creativity, energy and ideas.
What sorts of publications are eligible for sponsorship?
Campus Progress provides grants to online and print publications run by undergraduate, graduate and professional students at U.S. colleges and universities, though our primary emphasis is on undergraduate publications. We support both existing publications with an established record of quality and new publications 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 do not espouse an explicitly progressive ideology but advance our mission by expanding the diversity of voices on a campus.
What does CP expect of its grantees?
Campus Progress requires publications 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 publications 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 publications with customized web templates, hosting and support. We also provide tutorials for students to design more basic sites. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted in limited instances, so please contact us if you have questions.
Also as of the 2009-2010 school year, we are establishing an annual training summit, led by professional journalism instructors, for editors of sponsored publications. The event is free, and we are providing travel and housing scholarships as needed.
Campus Progress does not necessarily agree with all views expressed by its sponsored publications, nor do we expect those publications 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 publications.
What are the logistics of the grant?
Grants are disbursed on a per-semester basis and are for actual, out-of-pocket expenses, including printing, supplies, technology, promotion and other educational activities. Grants do not support salaries for student staff members.
What is the application procedure?
One student should serve as the applicant. Complete the form below and mail the following supplemental materials upon completion:
1. Written verification that your organization has been recognized by the university, or that your organization has received non-profit tax status from the IRS. 2. Hard copies of two recent issues of your publication. For web-based publications, you may email hyperlinks to recent content.
Mailing address:
David Spett Center for American Progress 1333 H Street NW, 1st Floor Washington, DC 20005
!
