ZENGER PRIZE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Encouraging Christian students at colleges and universities to write feature stories based in biblical objectivity, rigorous reporting, and a commitment to truth-telling
Zenger House is a Christian foundation that since 2022 has given 40 Zenger Prizes to top professional journalists. Click here to explore the 40 winning articles thus far and Christianity Today's article about the 2025 winners.
We are now adding college prizes of $1,000 each. The goal: encourage Christian students to profile Christians living out faith in compelling ways. The 2026-2027 academic year will mark the first cycle of Zenger Prizes for College Students.
DEADLINE:
Submissions due by June 30, 2027; winners announced in August
Cash Award
The Zenger Prize for College Students award is $1,000.
Recognition
Winners will receive publication on the Zenger House website.
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Open to all undergraduate and graduate students in the United States.
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Submissions must be original journalistic works (articles, podcasts, or videos) usually produced individually, but teams of up to three students allowed.
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Entries should demonstrate on-the-ground reporting and sensory detail that immerses readers/viewers/listeners in the story.
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Entries must be published or produced between August 15, 2026, and June 15, 2027. We accept articles up to 2,000 words and narrative podcasts or videos up to five minutes long, with publication in college newspapers or magazines, local community outlets, or online platforms with a proven audience.
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If helpful, download a printable flyer here: Zenger Prize for College Students
Eligibility
A Prompt
​One way to develop potential stories: Think of a protagonist with a mission. This central character faces an antagonist or antagonism and accomplishes the mission by overcoming obstacles. As in biblical history, protagonists are not superheroes but humans with flaws. Journalists honor heroism while telling the truth, not doing public relations. Many Zenger professional winning articles are profiles: see winning articles here.
Submission Guidelines
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Format: Written entries in PDF or Word format; multimedia entries as MP3/MP4 files or links to hosted content (e.g., YouTube, SoundCloud).
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Submissions will be uploaded via a form on the Zenger House website.
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Profiles should be based on original reporting growing out of in-person interviews, site visits, or primary source research. Stories should show how faith inspired subjects to take risks, engage the world, and deal with challenges. We will not accept devotional pieces, editorials, desk-based research, or largely first-person essays.
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Submissions due by June 30, 2027, with winners announced in August 2027.
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Judging
We will honor original reporting with narrative quality and sensory detail that creates a compelling story. Stories will show, not tell, how Christian belief affects action in workplaces, homes, classrooms, stadiums, churches, or other fields of endeavor.
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Judges: Marvin Olasky (Christianity Today editor in chief), Mindy Belz (Globe Trot founder/editor), Michael Reneau (The Dispatch managing editor), Jamie Dean (Radical senior writer), and Susan Olasky (former World feature writer). Affiliations are for identification only.
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NOTE: Zenger House prohibits the use of AI for any part of content creation, from ideation to execution.
Helpful Resources
Click the images to read Zenger House founder
Marvin Olasky's writings on the elements of story construction:
CONTACT
Inquiries and Nominations
For any inquiries or questions, please complete the form below.
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