The 2026 Student Production Call For Entries
January 19 thru February 22
Winners and Honorable Mentions Announced
March 31, 2026
Crystal Pillars Presented at:
Emmy® Awards Ceremony
October 24, 2026
OVERLAND PARK CONVENTION CENTER
Overland Park, KS
STUDENT PRODUCTION AWARDS and SCHOLARSHIPS
MISSION STATEMENT
NATAS Mid-America's Foundation provides scholarships to deserving high school and college students planning to major in journalism, broadcast television, television production and communications. Our mission is to reward academic excellence by helping bring the most talented new people into our industry.
Walter Cronkite and Creative Arts Scholarships
Application deadline April 30
NATAS Mid-America has the mission to reward academic excellence in the television field, bringing the most talented people into our business. The Walter Cronkite Scholarship is open to broadcast journalism applicants, while our new Mid-America EMMY Creative Arts Scholarship is for those pursuing TV careers outside the newsroom.
The Walter Cronkite Scholarship
The Walter Cronkite Scholarship is open to broadcast journalism applicants. College undergraduates, as well as high school seniors in a school in the Mid-America region who have an interest in media studies and have been accepted at a college as a media, journalism, or mass communication major are eligible to apply.
The Creative Arts Scholarship
The Creative Arts Scholarship is for those pursuing TV careers outside the newsroom. College undergraduates, as well as high school seniors in a school in the Mid-America region who have an interest in media studies and have been accepted at a college as a media, journalism, or mass communication major are eligible to apply.
Mission
George F. Davis Grant
Continuing Education Opportunity Grant for Working Professional
Up to $1,500 grant for continuing education
Deadline to apply: September 2025
The George F. Davis Memorial Grant
The NATAS Mid-America Foundation is pleased to tell you of the revised George F. Davis Memorial Grant. Media professionals with active memberships in Mid-America are invited to apply for this grant. Intended to further your education/training/skill set in the broadcast business, this grant helps offset the cost of attending a seminar (in-person or online), a workshop, a class, a webinar or certification.
These are just some examples of what is available for underwriting through the George F. Davis Memorial Grant:
THE POYNTER INSTITUTE: Storytelling, fact checking, leadership skills, etc.
NPPA: Advanced Storytelling, News Video Workshop
IRE: Investigative Reporting
NICAR: National Institute for Computer Assisted Reporting
SBE: Society of Broadcast Engineers; Certification, Leadership course, Mentor Program
SBJ: Ethics, diversity, FOI issues, Race and Gender issues
NABJ: Digital Workshops and Seminars, Webinars series, summits, technical training, conferences
LOYOLA: Master Class for Media Managers (on-line)
Through the generosity of Carol Jackson, a former broadcast technician, the grant is awarded in the name of the late KETC Engineer George F. Davis.
Criteria for Consideration
1. Cover Letter explaining what training or education you need to do your job successfully. The what, when and where – as much detail as possible please. Must be a member to apply.
2. Agree to permit NATAS Mid-America Foundation to promote your achievements by providing your name and likeness.
3. Agree to provide written proof of the completion of the course/training.
4. The application process will be reviewed by the members of the Professional Development Committee. Recipients will be notified by September 20.