The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is a U.S. nonprofit foundation dedicated to the news industry. Since 1950 the foundation has granted more than $300 million to advance quality journalism and freedom of expression. The foundation focuses on projects with the potential to create transformational change.

The Knight News Challenge contest awards $5 million for innovative media ideas, however the October 15 application deadline is quickly approaching. The streamlined application takes less than 20 minutes. Anybody worldwide has a chance to win. For more information and to apply visit www.newschallenge.org.

Last year, Drupal contributors Benjamin Melançon and Lisa Williams were both awarded grants.

In particular, the Knight Foundation is looking for open source projects that improve local communities and have a news focus. The only restrictions for applying are outlined in their FAQ. Your proposal must be:

* Digital – Your idea uses digital technology (computers, the internet, cell phones, that sort of thing).
* Innovative – Your idea is new and original. It’s different from what people have done before. You are, in some way, breaking new ground.
* News/information – Your idea is about giving people access to what they want to know.
* Timely – Your idea delivers news or information while it’s still fresh.
* Community-building – Your idea helps create a sense of community among some group of individuals.
* Limited geographic area – Your idea affects people in a specific area, which could be as big as a state or province, or as small as a city block. (If your idea is national or worldwide in scope, it must work at a regional level.)
* Open Source – The inner workings of what you create will be visible to the world, so that others can take it and improve upon it.

If you are interested in applying, please read the information provided. After that, you may send me a note if you have any questions.

And, yes, I'm applying, and it's Drupal-related.

Drupal version: Drupal 5.xDrupal 6.x