Journalists interested in strengthening rural news coverage and connecting with innovative community leaders are encouraged to apply for a sponsored opportunity to attend the 2026 Radically Rural Summit in Keene, New Hampshire, on October 6-8.
Thanks to funding from the Knight Foundation and The Lenfest Institute, a select number of journalists will receive complimentary registration to the summit, two nights of lodging, and a travel stipend to participate in Radically Rural’s Community Journalism Track and other summit activities.
Founded in Keene, New Hampshire, Radically Rural is a national movement that brings together rural leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across the country to share ideas, build lasting connections, and strengthen their communities. This year’s summit theme, “Reckoning & Reorienting,” explores how rural communities are responding to today’s most pressing challenges—from housing and affordability to education, funding, and community resilience—while highlighting practical solutions already taking root. Community journalism is central to those conversations, recognizing the vital role local news organizations play in helping communities understand change, foster civic engagement, and build stronger futures.
The summit’s Community Journalism Track offers sessions and discussions designed specifically for journalists serving rural communities, while the broader conference provides opportunities to connect with leaders in arts and culture, agriculture and food systems, health, education, energy, entrepreneurship and local government.
Through the Community Journalism Track and the full summit experience, attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with journalists and community leaders from across the country, explore innovative approaches to serving rural audiences, and return home with new strategies for strengthening both their news organizations and the communities they cover.
Applications for the sponsored journalist program are due July 26.
Learn more and apply:
- Sponsored Journalist Application: Application Form
- 2026 Radically Rural Summit: Radically Rural 2026 Summit