The North Carolina Scholastic Media Association runs this annual summer institute at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media in Chapel Hill. Over three days, students train in one division (design, digital media, news, photojournalism, broadcast news or yearbook) while advisers join any of those divisions or the advising division.
Up to 10 advanced students produce The Rush, the institute’s news site, and broadcast students produce its newscast. Leadership and creativity boot camps run alongside.
Benefits & funding
- 2026 fee: US$250 per person until 15 May, US$300 after (institute page); the directory listing gave US$200 until 1 May.
- Single rooms cost US$100 extra, if available.
- Workshop scholarships exist (deadline 15 May); their terms are in the Summer Institute Guide.
- Cancelling before 1 June refunds 50%; nothing after.
Eligibility
- Rising 9th–12th graders, plus journalism teachers and student media advisers.
- Students come only as a school group chaperoned by their adviser or journalism teacher; they cannot register themselves or attend as commuters.
- Capped at 200 participants, with priority for North Carolina schools; other states are not barred.
- At most two students per student media staff in Design, Photojournalism, Digital Media and The Rush; four per staff in each boot camp.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
High School
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Application process
- 1The adviser registers the whole group on the NCSMA online form (opened 1 March in 2026), picking one division for each student, plus any boot camp.
- 2Register and apply for a workshop scholarship by 15 May for the lower fee.
- 3Final deadline 1 June, 11:59 p.m.; registration closes earlier if the 200 places fill.
Program timeline
Registration opened
1 Mar 2026
Early-fee and scholarship deadline
15 May 2026
Registration deadline
1 Jun 2026
Institute in Chapel Hill
16–18 Jun 2026