First, Let’s Take a Look at the Contest Schedule
Similar to last year, the 2025-26 contests are still open to middle and high school students worldwide, ages 13-19. Here is the list of all the New York Times competitions in the 2025-26.
| Schedule | Competition |
|---|---|
| Sept 10 – Oct 22, 2025 | Growing Up With A.I.: A Multimedia Contest for Teenagers and Educators |
| Oct 22 – Dec 3, 2025 | My Tiny Memoir: 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest |
| Dec 3, 2025 – Jan 14, 2026 | Local Lens: A Photo Essay Contest |
| Jan 14 – Feb 25, 2026 | My List: A Review Contest |
| Feb 25 – April 8, 2026 | Open Letters: Opinion Writing Contest |
| April 8 – May 13, 2026 | Audio Stories: Our Podcast Contest |
| June 5 – Aug 14, 2026 | Voice and Choice: Summer Reading Contest |
| All School Year | Conversation Challenge for Weekly Current Events |
New in 2025-26: Exploring the Rise of Artificial Intelligence
This year, the calendar kicks off with a new multimedia contest, Growing Up With A.I.: A Multimedia Contest for Teenagers and Educators, focused on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Teenagers and educators alike are invited to share their perspectives through writing, art, audio, or video, reflecting on how AI is shaping their world and future. Read below to learn more about the competition!
No “How to… Informational Writing Contest” Contest This Year
In past years, students have been able to participate in the “How to…” Informational Writing Contest, creating step-by-step guides on everything from cooking techniques to activism strategies. However, this contest will not run during the 2025–26 season. The NYT encourages students who enjoy this style of writing to adapt their skills for other contests, especially Open Letters and My List, which also reward clarity, creativity, and engagement with an audience.
Returning Favorites and Exciting Challenges
Alongside the new AI contest, beloved competitions are back, including:
- My Tiny Memoir: Craft a meaningful life story in just 100 words.
- Local Lens Photo Essay: Capture unique stories and scenes from your community through compelling photos and narratives.
- My List: Create engaging lists reviewing books, movies, art, or other cultural works.
- Open Letters: Write powerful letters to those who can make a change on issues that matter to you.
- Audio Stories Podcast Contest: Produce original podcasts that inform or entertain in five minutes or less.
- Voice and Choice Summer Reading Contest: Reflect weekly on your summer reading experiences with written or video responses.
- Conversation Challenge: Engage with current events throughout the school year via daily writing prompts.
85% of Aralia Students Place in Top Writing Competitions
New York Times 2025-26 Contest Descriptions
[NEW] September 10 – October 22, 2025—Growing Up With A.I.: A Multimedia Contest for Teenagers and Educators
The New York Times Multimedia Contest invites teenagers and educators to explore what it’s like to think, create, teach, and learn in a time when AI is transforming the world. Submissions can be in almost any medium, such as essays, poems, comics, podcasts, videos, songs, infographics, and more. Students can explore any aspect of AI’s impact, from significant societal shifts to personal experiences. AI tools may be used, but only in accordance with official NYT guidelines.
October 22 – December 3, 2025—My Tiny Memoir: 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest
In just 100 words, what story can you tell about your life? The contest invites students to write a micro personal narrative about a meaningful life experience. The rules for this year are similar to last year’s. Click here to view the guidelines from previous years’ contests.
December 3, 2025 – January 14, 2026—Local Lens: Photo Essays Contest
In 2023, the overall award rate, including winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions, was about 6.4%. This year, the competition is inspired by the New York Times’ “Album” series, and students are invited to photograph the place they live. Students can document any feature of their hometown, such as a specific event, a group of local people, the environment, or culture, and then submit 6-8 images with captions and a brief introduction.
January 14 – February 25, 2026—My List Student Review Contest
Students can select 3-5 works of art or culture, combine them in some way, and then explain to the readers why they should (or shouldn’t) check them out. Students can participate individually or in teams. You can list any form of creative expression reported on by The New York Times, such as books, movies, restaurants, albums, plays, video games, dance, TV shows, architecture, or art exhibitions.
February 25 – April 8, 2026—Open Letters: Opinion Writing Contest
Last year, the overall award rate (winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions) was about 0.7%. This year’s rules are similar to those of last year. The contest invites students to write a letter of protest or appeal in 500 words or fewer, addressed to an individual or group who can change an issue you care about. While your letter should be aimed at a specific audience, its real purpose is to be read by the public and have an impact on them.
Unlock Your Writing Potential: Students in Our Writing Competition Preparation Class Are More Likely to Secure Awards
April 8 – May 13, 2026—Podcast Contest
Last year, the award rate (winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions) was about 5.3%. The rules for this year’s contest are similar to last year’s. The contest invites students to create an original podcast of 5 minutes or less designed to inform or entertain listeners. You can create a podcast on any topic and in any format, whether it’s an expert interview, an informal conversation with friends, a news investigation, a fictional story, or any other form you can think of.
June 5 – August 14, 2026—Voice and Choice Summer Reading Contest
Throughout the 10-week contest, each week the question will be posed: “What caught your attention in The New York Times this week and why?” Students can submit a short written response or a video response of no more than 90 seconds.
Please note that before the contest begins, the New York Times may adjust the dates or release updated rules! Aralia recommends checking the official website to stay informed about the latest contest details.
Prepare for New York Times Contest with Aralia
At Aralia Education, we offer online competition preparation classes designed to help students excel in writing competitions, including the prestigious New York Times contests. Our team of instructors is experienced teachers from the nation’s top-ranking high schools and universities.
