The Brodsky Prize

The Brodsky Prize is a private grant program created to honor the legacy of Jeffrey Brodsky, a journalist who began his career as co-editor of Manchester Central High School’s student newspaper. The prize reflects Brodsky’s passion for journalism and is intended to inspire a new generation of student journalists in New Hampshire. The award is administered by the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications and offers $5,000 to a high school student demonstrating outstanding journalistic promise. The purpose of the Brodsky Prize is to encourage journalistic innovation and enterprise among high school students in New Hampshire. The prize is awarded based on qualities such as initiative, contrarian and out-of-the-box thinking, as well as traditional journalistic values including clarity, fairness, accuracy, grammar, and the ability to effectively explain complex issues. Applicants are judged on both the quality and originality of their submitted work. Eligible applicants must be students who live in New Hampshire and attend public, charter, or parochial high schools in the state. Additionally, students residing in neighboring states who attend a qualifying New Hampshire school are also eligible. The geographic restriction ensures that the prize supports students with a direct connection to the state’s educational ecosystem. The application process requires students to respond to two essay prompts (up to 1,000 words each) on the role of new media in journalism and the application of Solutions Journalism within their community. A third shorter essay (up to 200 words) must explain how the student would use the award to advance their journalistic goals. Applicants must also submit three examples of their journalistic work, at least two of which must have been published in school or local media outlets. Applications will officially open in 2026, with the precise timeline yet to be announced. The recurring nature of the Brodsky Prize, which is awarded annually, suggests that the next open date will likely be early 2026. Students and educators are advised to monitor the Loeb School’s website for updates and instructions on how to apply once the application window opens. For questions or further information, applicants can contact the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications via email at loebschool@loebschool.org. While the official submission link and dates are pending, the school provides a central point of contact for inquiries about the prize and application requirements.

Judges will consider initiative, contrarian nature, spelling and grammar, clarity, fairness, and coverage depth.