Journalism Jumpstart: Caplin Summer Institute

Journalism Jumpstart is a free two-week summer journalism program for middle and high school students run by FIU’s Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media. The program provides training and hands-on experience producing articles and multimedia for publication, working with media professionals and instructors. Student work is showcased on the Jumpstart Journal and participants may compete for a scholarship from the Dow Jones News Fund. The 2026 edition runs on FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus and includes instruction, production work and mentoring.

Free participation, lunch provided, shuttle transportation for some students, mentoring from media professionals, publication in the Jumpstart Journal, and opportunity to compete for a Dow Jones News Fund scholarship.

Open to middle and high school students who attend schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties; students do not need to be part of a school-sponsored program and may be at any level in their writing careers.

Complete the online application form linked from the program page (Qualtrics form).