Annual New York Times Summer Reading Contest
by The New York Times Learning Network
A weekly summer contest challenging teenagers to choose an article, essay, video, graphic, or podcast from The New York Times and submit a short explanation of why it captured their interest.
Eligibility: Open globally to students aged 13–19 who are in middle school or high school (including recent graduates who haven’t started college yet). Students can submit once per week. Written entries must be under 1,500 characters (~250 words); video entries must be 90 seconds or less.
Cost: The contest is entirely free to enter.
Benefits: Winners have their short written essays or video responses officially published and showcased on The New York Times Learning Network platform.
Location: Online Submission
Duration: 10-week structural cycle (June 5 to August 14, 2026)
Deadline: 14/08/2026
Apply Now