The New York Times Learning Network
Our 16th Annual Summer Reading Contest
Overview of Our 16th Annual Summer Reading Contest
The New York Times Learning Network's 16th Annual Summer Reading Contest invites students aged 13-19 to share what they are reading, watching, or listening to in The New York Times and explain why it caught their attention. Submissions can be either a short written response (up to 1500 characters) or a 90-second video. The contest runs weekly from June 6 to August 15, 2025. Participants can submit once per week, and winners are chosen by a team of Times journalists and educators.
📍Location
Online
📅 Application deadlines
- Aug 15, 2025
Summer
💸 Costs & Aid
- Free
- All resources and programs offered by The New York Times Learning Network are free.
Eligibility Requirements
📋 General Requirements
The Learning Network provides fresh opportunities daily for teenagers to both learn more about what’s happening in the news and raise their voices in response to it. All resources use content from The New York Times — articles, essays, images, videos, graphics and podcasts — as teaching tools across subject areas.
👥 Age Requirements
Intended audience is middle and high school teachers and students (age 13 and up).
📚 Grade Requirements
Intended audience is middle and high school teachers and students. Content is also used in elementary schools and colleges.
🌍 Eligible Countries
Worldwide
Application Process
Application process varies by contest/challenge. Generally, students submit their work online.
📅 Summer
Duration
10 weeks
Program Dates
Jun 6, 2025 - Aug 15, 2025
Application Deadlines
- Aug 15, 2025 — Final Submission
Submissions are accepted weekly, with the final submission deadline on August 15, 2025.
Application Fee: Free