The New York Times Writing Contest, initiated by the New York Times, is open to middle and high school students aged 11-19 worldwide. It comprises many sub-contests, which vary each year, including the New York Times Annual Personal Narrative Writing Contest, the New York Times Student Review Contest, the New York Times STEM Writing Contest, and the New York Times Students Editorial Contest.
The New York Times series of competition questions, winning entries, and preparation materials are all packaged together!
Free download link here ⇓
2026 Event Calendar
Community Photography Essay Competition
Competition Period:
December 3, 2025 - January 14, 2026
Submission Requirements:
Inspired by The New York Times' "Album" series, which features photo essays depicting scenes of life in New York City, we invite students to take photographs, alone or with others, highlighting certain aspects of life in your hometown.
You can focus on any feature of your hometown that interests you, whether it's a specific event, a group of locals, an aspect of the area's history, environment, or culture, or anything else. Simply send us six to eight photos with descriptions and brief captions to let us know.
My List Student Comments Contest
The "One Page Challenge" is a competition launched by The New York Times last year, where students are asked to express the artistry of their texts and share their most important takeaways on a single sheet of paper.
Competition Period:
January 14 - February 14, 2026
Submission Requirements:
Students can choose 3-5 works of art or culture, combine them in some way, and then explain in 600 words or less "why we should/or shouldn't look at them."
Open letter writing contest (editorial contest)
Competition Period:
February 25, 2026 - April 8, 2026
Submission Requirements:
The competition invites students to write a protest letter or appeal letter of 500 words or less and send it to an individual or group that can change the issues they care about.
Podcast Competition
Competition Dates:
April 8 - May 13, 2026
Submission Requirements:
The competition invites students to create original podcasts of 5 minutes or less, providing information or entertainment to listeners.
Summer Reading and Writing Competition
Competition Dates:
June 5, 2026 - August 14, 2026
Submission Requirements:
For 10 weeks during the summer, we will ask each week: What in The Times caught your attention and why? Students can participate each week by submitting a short written response, or they can create a video of up to 90 seconds.
Submissions can be made in one week or every week, but only one entry per week.
Weekly Current Affairs Dialogue Challenge
The New York Times invites students to share their thoughts on the Daily Writing Prompts, with weekly submissions published on the global roundup, Current Events Conversation.
Competition Period:
Open year-round
Target Audience:
Middle and high school students aged 13-19 worldwide
