Note: To apply for the News Challenge, and read our FAQ, visit NewsChallenge.org.

On Monday, we will open the Knight News Challenge on networks. Just as we have revamped the contest, we have come up with a more streamlined application form.

As John explained in our first post and in this video, the challenge is evolving to be offered three times this year, an attempt to be more nimble and move at the pace of technology development.

Along with this new focus, we have simplified the application form. Based on conversations with previous News Challenge applicants and outside reviewers, we devised the following seven questions.

1. What do you propose to do? [20 words]

2. Is anyone doing something like this now and how is your project different? [30 words]

3. Describe the network with which you intend to build or work. [50 words]

4. Why will it work? [100 words]

5. Who is working on it? [100 words]

6. What part of the project have you already built? [100 words]

7. How would you sustain the project after the funding expires? [50 words]

Our goal with these questions is to understand how your idea fits within the field of media innovation and your understanding of networks. We want to know why your project is unique, that you have a clear idea of what success should look like, and finally, that you have an awesome team to make the idea a reality.

Applicants will have less than three weeks to submit – the deadline is March 17.

We’ll be sharing additional information and a more comprehensive FAQ next week.

Feel free to send specific questions to @knightfdn or via email at [email protected].

You can also sign up for e-mail updates for the 2012 Knight News Challenge. 

Choose how to get news and tips about applying for the Knight News Challenge:

•   Follow us on Twitter #newschallenge

•   Like us on Facebook

•   Join us on Google+

By Jose Zamora, journalism program associate at Knight Foundation