NPR Senior Podcast Challenge: Official Rules

These are the rules for the 2026 NPR Senior Podcast Challenge: If you're looking for the College Podcast Challenge, click here , if you're looking for the 5th-12th grade competition rules click here .

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. OPEN ONLY TO UNITED STATES RESIDENTS AGE SIXTY-FIVE (65) OR OVER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. SPONSOR. The NPR Senior Podcast Challenge (the "Contest") is sponsored by National Public Radio, Inc. ("NPR"), a District of Columbia nonprofit corporation with principal offices at 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 (the "Sponsor").

2. OVERVIEW. The Contest is a podcast submission contest where seniors sixty-five (65) and older can submit an audio file they have created for an opportunity to have the winning podcast discussed in a news segment that will appear on an episode of NPR's All Things Considered or Morning Edition. Up to eight (8) finalists will be chosen, of whom seven (7) will be awarded a trophy and NPR-branded merchandise (ARV $150), and one (1) Grand Prize Winner will win a trip to NPR Headquarters and will have their Submission featured on NPR across multiple platforms. By participating in this Contest, each participant agrees to be bound by these Official Rules and to the decisions of the Sponsor and the judges selected by the Sponsor, which are final and binding on all matters relating to the Contest. The Contest will operate as described below, on or about the stated dates:

● The Contest submission period begins at 12:00 a.m. ET on August 16, 2026, and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on November 30, 2026. To be eligible, submissions must be submitted in accordance with Section 4 of these Official Rules.

● The Contest judging period begins on December 1, 2026, and ends on or about January 15, 2027. Eligible submissions will be reviewed by up to two (2) panels of judges selected in the sole discretion of the Sponsor, and will be judged in accordance with Section 5 of these Official Rules. Eight (8) Finalists, including one (1) Grand Prize Winner (as described in Section 5 below) will be selected.

● Sponsors will attempt to contact each Finalist and the Grand Prize Winner, or an alternate if necessary, on or about January 15, 2027, and in accordance with Section 6 of these Official Rules.

● The Finalists and Grand Prize Winner will be publicly announced on or about February 1, 2027.

3. ELIGIBILITY. The Contest is open only to U.S. residents age sixty-five (65) and over (each an "Entrant"). Entrants may submit jointly with other Entrants. Each Entrant must be at least sixty-five (65) years of age at the time of entry. Void in all jurisdictions other than those stated above and where prohibited or restricted by law.