The only place you can apply is here on the Knight News Challenge web site. No applications are accepted by mail, e-mail, fax, or any other means.

First, you take about 20 minutes to fill out a simple form that tells us the essence of your idea. If we think your idea shows promise, we’ll ask you to write a full proposal. (This is to keep you from wasting a lot of time if we aren’t interested.)

You will be asked whether you want your entry to be “open” or “closed.” If you choose “open,” then others will be able to read and comment on your submission.

Those who submit their applications and proposals in the open process are seeking the wisdom of the crowd to help improve their ideas and their application. They don’t care if others try to develop the same idea, or if others help them with their work. They get to revise their application based on public feedback. On the other hand, those who submit in the closed process are confident they have a good idea, and they don’t want public help developing it further. They are ready to be judged on their idea as it is when they submit it. Neither type of entry has an advantage with the reviewers, who simply are looking for great ideas.

The “entry” is the first step of the application process, and it is fairly quick and easy to complete. The “proposal” is the second step, and it is more detailed. You will be notified whether or not you make it to the “proposal” stage.