This year, NYT is revamping some of its long-time favorites while bringing in new competitions to the table. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the contest schedule, highlight the most important changes, and share key information about each competition so students can start preparing early.
The New York Times Student Contest Calendar for 2026–2027
All contests are open to students ages 13–19 who are enrolled in middle school or high school worldwide. All submissions must be written in English and must comply with NYT’s originality requirements.
Contest Dates | Contest |
Sep 16 – Oct 28, 2026 | My Tiny Memoir: 100-Word Personal Memoir Contest |
Oct 28 – Dec 9, 2026 | What It’s Like to Grow Up in 2026: Visual Arts Contest (New) |
Jan 6 – Feb 17, 2027 | The STEM Interview: Information Video Contest (New) |
Feb 17 – Mar 31, 2027 | Open Letters: Opinion Writing Contest |
Mar 31 – May 12, 2027 | Audio Stories: Podcast Contest |
Jun 4-11, Jul 2-9, Jul 30 – Aug 6, 2027 | Voice and Choice: Summer Reading Contest |
September 16 – October 28, 2026 – My Tiny Memoir (100-Word Personal Memoir Contest)
In 100 words, students are challenged to tell the story of their experiences, inspired by the famous Tiny Love Stories feature from the Modern Love section.
As one of NYT’s longest-running and most popular student contests, My Tiny Memoir encourages students to develop concise yet emotionally engaging storytelling skills. This year’s rules remain largely unchanged from the previous season.
[NEW] October 28 – December 9, 2026 – What It’s Like to Grow Up in 2026 (Visual Arts Contest)
Students must create a visual artwork that reflects the experience of growing up in 2026. Eligible formats include photography, painting, short films, infographics, sculpture, and other forms of visual art. Each submission must be accompanied by an Artist Statement that captures the creative process and the ideas behind the artwork.
[NEW] January 6 – February 17, 2027 – The STEM Interview (STEM Interview Video Contest)
Questions related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or health. They then interview an expert to explore the answer.
The final submission is a video of up to two minutes that combines accurate scientific communication with strong interviewing and storytelling skills.
February 17 – March 31, 2027 – Open Letters (Open Letter Contest)
This competition compels participants to write an open letter of no more than 500 words addressed to a person or organization with the power to make a difference on an issue they care about. While each letter is directed to a specific recipient, its broader purpose is to persuade and inspire the public. The contest rules remain largely unchanged from last year.
March 31 – May 12, 2027 – Audio Stories (Podcast Contest)
Students will produce a podcast of up to five minutes that is either informative or entertaining. Participants may choose any topic and any creative format, including:
- An expert interview
- An investigative report
- A conversation with friends
- A fictional story
- Other original podcast format
Some contest guidelines remained unchanged.
June 4–11, July 2–9, and July 30 – August 6, 2027 – Voice and Choice Summer Reading Contest
During each contest period, students must select a New York Times article that resonated with them, accompanied by an explanation of how it made an impression. Submissions may either be a short written response or a video of up to 90 seconds, allowing students to share their thoughts, opinions, and reflections on the article.
Note: Before official submissions open today, The New York Times may release updated rules or additional submission guidelines. Participating students are highly encouraged to keep up with the latest announcements from the organizers to ensure their submissions meet all contest requirements.
85% of Aralia Students Place in Top Writing Competitions
Two New Contests Introduced This Year
This year, the NYT is introducing two brand-new competitions, designed to foster students’ creativity in visual storytelling and science communication.
What It's Like to Grow Up in 2026
Replacing last year’s “Growing Up With AI” multimedia contest, “What It’s Like to Grow Up in 2026” invites students to explore what it means to be a teenager in today’s world through visual art. Students may express their ideas in a variety of formats, including:
- Photography
- Drawing
- Painting
- Comics
- Infographics
- Short films
- Sculpture
- Any other visual artwork that can be photographed and submitted online
Each submission must include an Artist Statement that details the creative process. The artwork must correspond to questions such as: What does it mean to be a teenager in 2026? What challenges do today’s generation face? What unique opportunities are available to young people today?
The STEM Interview
The other exciting addition is The STEM Interview, a science communication video contest. Instead of writing a research paper, students will:
- Begin with an engaging question related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or health.
- Interview an expert in the chosen field.
- Produce a video of no more than two minutes, following the explanatory style of The New York Times.
This competition is the perfect avenue for students who are passionate about STEM while also looking to develop their communication, interviewing, and storytelling skills.
The Multimedia Contest Will Not Return This Year
While the 2025–2026 school year began with the Growing Up With AI Multimedia Contest, this competition is not available in 2026–2027. Instead, NYT has shifted its focus to “What It’s Like to Grow Up in 2026”, which emphasizes visual art rather than multimedia storytelling. Unlike its predecessor, the new contest accepts only visual art submissions instead of mixed-media projects.
Changes to the Summer Reading Contest
The Summer Reading Contest will undergo significant changes for the 2026–2027 school year. Last year, students had 10 consecutive weeks to submit responses to articles published by NYT. Beginning in 2027, however, the contest will be held during three separate submission periods:
- June 4–11, 2027
- July 2–9, 2027
- July 30 – August 6, 2027
During each submission period, students are tasked with answering a prompt, such as “What got your attention in The New York Times this week, and why?” Participants may submit either a short written response or a video of up to 90 seconds, sharing their thoughts, opinions, or reflections on a piece published by The New York Times.
Aralia Student Is a Winner in The NYT Summer Reading Contest 2025
Returning Contests
Other than introducing new competitions, several popular student contests will return this year:
- My Tiny Memoir: Write a personal memoir in just 100 words.
- Open Letters: Write an open letter advocating for change on an issue you care about.
- Audio Stories: Produce a podcast of up to five minutes in any format.
- Current Events Conversation: Join weekly discussions on current events through The New York Times Learning Network.
Important Rule Changes for the 2026–2027 School Year
In addition to announcing the contest schedule, NYT also updated several important rules that apply across its student contests.
The Creative Process Will Be Evaluated
One significant change this year is that most competitions will require students to document their creative process, such as by providing Google Docs version history or other evidence that showcases its development. Divesting from the rigid final submission, judges may also consider the student’s creative process, the challenges they encountered, and the lessons they learned throughout the project.
AI Policy Remains Strict
The New York Times has enforced a strict prohibition on the use of generative AI in contest submissions. Students are not permitted to:
- Use ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, or other AI chatbots to generate a draft;
- Use AI to edit or improve their writing
- Include AI-generated images, audio, videos, or text in their submissions
- Use AI tools or Google Translate to translate their work into English
Any submission found to violate the AI policy will be disqualified from the competition.
Aralia Students Have Earned Top Honors in Multiple New York Times Competitions
Prepare for The New York Times Student Contests with Aralia
The New York Times student contests evaluate far more than writing ability. They challenge students to conduct research, tell compelling stories, present well-reasoned arguments, and create original content across a variety of formats. Starting early gives students ample time to explore ideas, develop essential skills, and produce a polished, competitive submission.
Aralia Education offers online courses designed to prepare students for a wide range of international writing and creative competitions, including The New York Times student contests. Taught by experienced teachers and university professors, Aralia’s programs have helped students earn awards in prestigious international competitions in writing, journalism, and creative media.
