Upcoming dates and deadlines 2026-2027
September 2026
Sept. 4 — NHSJC first-time convention grant applications due by 11:59 p.m. CDT (learn more)
Sept. 8 — JEA Elections – Candidate sign up opens
Sept. 9 — NHSJC session proposals due by 11:59 p.m. CDT (learn more)
Sept. 14 — Submissions close for Scholastic Journalism Week Student Poster Contest (learn more)
Sept. 15 — H.L. Hall National Yearbook Adviser applications due (learn more)
Sept. 15 — Partner Project Applications Due Sept. 15 (learn more)
Sept. 16 — NHSJC hotel room reservations open to registered attendees at noon CDT (learn more)
Sept. 18 — JEA Outreach Academy application deadline (learn more)
Sept. 22 — Submissions close for Fall 2026 Adviser Photo Contest (learn more)
Sept. 22 – Scholastic Journalism Week Poster Voting Closes Opens
Sept. 28 — NHSJC student scholarship application deadline (learn more)
Sept. 30 – Scholastic Journalism Week Poster Voting Closes
October 2026
Oct. 2 — Early bird registration ends at 5 p.m. CDT
Oct. 5 — Scholastic Journalism Week Poster Winner Announced
Oct. 10 — Convention Hotel Block Closes (2025 Nashville schedule)
Oct. 15 — Certification Testing Applications Due
Oct. 17 — Online Fall Convention Registration Closes
Oct. 20 — NSMC registration and online submission deadline at 1 p.m. CDT
Oct. 20 — NSMC Registration closes for all contests & entries due for online categories by 1 p.m. CDT
Oct. 23 — Online convention registration closes at 5 p.m. CDT
Oct. 24 — Final Day for Convention Registration (2026 schedule)
Oct. 28 — Convention hotel room block closes at 4 p.m. CDT
Oct. 30 — Online registration for NHSJC closes
Oct. 30 — JEA Elections – Deadline to sign up as a candidate
November 2026
Nov. 20 — JEA Elections – Candidate list available at JEA.org
Nov. 19-22 — Fall Convention (Orlando 2026)
December 2026
Dec. 10 — SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest – Submissions open & prompt available
Dec. 15 — Linda S. Puntney Teacher Inspiration Award Deadline
Dec. 15 — Future Administrator Scholarship Deadline
Dec. 15 — Diversity Award Deadline
Dec. 15 — Lifetime Achievement Award Deadline
Dec. 15 — First Amendment Press Freedom Award (Round One) Deadline
Dec. 15 — Candace and John Bowen Adviser First Amendment Leadership Award Deadline
January 2027
Jan. 4 — JEA Elections – Candidate Statements available
Jan. 15 — Spring NHSJC Speaker Proposal Deadline
Jan. 15 — JEA Elections – Voting eligibility membership deadline (must be active)
Jan. 17 — Spring First-Time Convention Grant Application Deadline
Jan. 21 — Registration opens and online prompts available for JEA National Student Media Contests (learn more)
Jan. 28 — Spring Convention Registration Opens
February 2027
Feb. 1 — Mentoring Program Mentor Applications Due
Feb. 10 — SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest – Entries due
Feb. 11 — Spring Convention Hotel Block Opens
Feb. 15 — Outreach Academy Application Deadline (Spring)
Feb. 19 — SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest Deadline
Feb. 24 — NSMC Registration Opens
Feb. 24 — NSMC Prompts Released
Feb. 24 — JEA Board Elections Begin
Feb. 24 — Scholastic Journalism Week Begins
Feb. 22 – Mar. 1— JEA Elections – Members vote via electronic ballot
Feb. 22 – 26 — Scholastic Journalism Week
Feb. 27 —Student Press Freedom Day
Feb. 28 — Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism Deadline
March 2027
March 1 — Outreach Academy Extended Deadline (when applicable)
March 8 — JEA Elections – Board members announced
March 15 — Journalist of the Year National Submission Deadline
March 15 — Student Journalist Impact Award Deadline
March 15 — Aspiring Young Journalist Award Deadline
March 15 — Spring Convention Early Bird Registration Ends
March 15 — Advisers Institute Early Bird Pricing Ends
March 16-22 — Sunshine Week
March 16 — NSMC Registration closes for all contests & entries due for online categories by 1 p.m. CDT
March 26 — Spring Convention Hotel Block Closes
March 29 — Spring 2027 Junior High/Middle School National Media Contest – Registration opens
March 31 — Junior High/Middle School National Media Contest Opens
April 2027
April 1 — NSMC Registration Deadline
April 1 — NSMC Online Entries Due
April 3 — Spring Convention Registration Closes
April 11— Certification Committee Applications Due
April 20 — Spring 2027 Junior High/Middle School National Media Contest – Entires Due
April 24-26 — Spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention
April 30 — Spring 2027 Adviser Photo Contest – Submissions open & prompt available
May 2027
May 1 — JEA Elections – Two-year term begins
May 15 — Broadcast Adviser of the Year Applications Due
June 2027
June 15 — CJE/MJE Summer Testing Application Deadline
June 15 — Spring 2027 Adviser Photo Contest – Entries due by 1 p.m. CDT
June 30 — Advisers Institute Registration Deadline
July 2027
July 14-16 — JEA Advisers Institute
July 15 — Rising Star Award Deadline
July 15 — Medal of Merit Deadline
July 15 — Carl Towley Award Deadline
July 15 — Administrator of the Year Deadline
July 15 — Future Journalism Teacher Scholarships Deadline
August 2027
Aug. 3 — Submissions open and theme announced for Fall 2026 Adviser Photo Contest (learn more)
Aug. 10 — Submissions open for Scholastic Journalism Week Student Poster Contest (learn more)
Aug. 17 — C:JET Archive available to members
Aug. 26 — Registration opens for the Fall 2026 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Orlando (learn more)
Aug. 26 — Registration opens and online prompts available for JEA National Student Media Contests (learn more)