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. 17 — Constitution Day
Sept. 18 — JEA Outreach Academy application deadline (learn more)
Sept. 22 — Submissions close for Fall 2026 Adviser Photo Contest (learn more)
Sept. 24 - Scholastic Journalism Week Student Poster Contest voting opens
Sept. 28 — NHSJC student scholarship application deadline (learn more)
Sept. 30 - Scholastic Journalism Week Student Poster Contest voting closes
October 2026
Oct. 1-31 — JEA Certification fall online testing window (must apply by Oct. 15)
Oct. 2 — NHSJC early bird registration ends at 5 p.m. CDT
Oct. 15 — Deadline to apply for fall JEA Certification testing (available online or on-site at fall NHSJC)
Oct. 20 — Registration closes at 1 p.m. CDT for all Fall 2026 JEA National Student Media Contests (both online and on-site categories)
Oct. 20 — Submissions due for all online categories of the Fall 2026 JEA National Student Media Contests
Oct. 23 — Online registration closes at 5 p.m. CDT for the Fall 2026 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention
Oct. 28 — NHSJC hotel room block closes at 4 p.m. CDT
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 2026 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Orlando
December 2026
Dec. 10 — SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest: Submissions open & prompt available
Dec. 15 — Linda S. Puntney Teacher Inspiration Award nomination deadline
Dec. 15 — Future Administrator Scholarship application deadline
Dec. 15 — Diversity Award nomination deadline
Dec. 15 — Lifetime Achievement Award nomination deadline
Dec. 15 — First Amendment Press Freedom Award round one application deadline
Dec. 15 — Candace and John Bowen Adviser First Amendment Leadership Award nomination deadline
January 2027
Jan. 4 — JEA Elections: Candidate statements available
Jan. 15 — JEA Elections - Voting eligibility membership deadline (must be active)
Jan. 21 — Registration opens and online prompts available for JEA National Student Media Contests
Jan. 21 — Spring 2027 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention registration opens
Jan. 29 — Spring NHSJC first-time convention grant application deadline
Jan. 31 — Spring NHSJC session proposal deadline
February 2027
Feb. 1 — JEA Mentoring Program mentor applications due
Feb. 11 — NHSJC hotel block opens at noon CST
Feb. 15 — Spring 2027 Outreach Academy application deadline
Feb. 21 — SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest entries due
Feb. 24 — JEA Board elections begin
Feb. 22 — NHSJC student scholarship application deadline
Feb. 22-26 — Scholastic Journalism Week 2027
Feb. 22 - Mar. 1 — JEA Elections: Members vote via electronic ballot
Feb. 25 — Student Press Freedom Day
Feb. 26 — NHSJC early bird registration deadline at 5 p.m. CT
Feb. 28 — Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism application deadline
March 2027
March 1-31 — JEA Certification spring online testing window (must apply by March 17)
March 8 — JEA Elections: Board members announced
March 15 — JEA Journalist of the Year national submission deadline
March 15 — Student Journalist Impact Award submission deadline
March 15 — Aspiring Young Journalist Award submission deadline
March 16-22 — Sunshine Week
March 16 — NSMC Registration closes for all contests & entries due for online categories by 1 p.m. CDT
March 17 — Deadline to apply for spring JEA Certification testing (available online or on-site at fall NHSJC)
March 25 — Online registration closes at 5 p.m. CT for the Spring 2027 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention
March 29 — Registration opens for Junior High/Middle School National Media Contest
April 2027
April 11— Certification Committee applications due
April 20 — Entries due by 1 p.m. CT for Junior High/Middle School National Media Contest
April 15-17 — Spring 2027 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Los Angeles
April 30 — Submissions open & prompt available for Spring 2027 Adviser Photo Contest
May 2027
May 1 — JEA Elections: Two-year term begins
May 15 — Broadcast Adviser of the Year applications due
June 2027
June 1-30 — JEA Certification summer online testing window (must apply by June 15)
June 15 — CJE/MJE Summer Testing application deadline
June 15 — Entries due by 1 p.m. CDT for Spring 2027 Adviser Photo Contest
June 15 — Deadline to apply for summer JEA Certification online testing
July 2027
July 14-16 — JEA Advisers Institute
July 15 — Rising Star Award submission deadline
July 15 — Medal of Merit submission deadline
July 15 — Carl Towley Award submission deadline
July 15 — Administrator of the Year submission deadline
July 15 — Future Journalism Teacher Scholarships application deadline
August 2027
Aug. 17 — C:JET Archive available to members