2016 will be a big election year in the U.S. So this year's Knight News Challenge will focus on ideas to inspire engagement and better inform voters before, during, and after elections. Applications opened today.

This competition is not limited to journalists or people who work in politics. The News Challenge is open to anyone: startups, students, nonprofits or individuals Entries must be nonpartisan, and must not promote a specific candidate, party or initiative. According to Knight, "ideas can address any part of the voter journey, from nonpartisan ways to inform voters, to streamlining the voting process, to converting the energy of Election Day into long-term civic engagement and everything between."

Learn more and apply now
Deadline: March 19, 5 pm PST

Register now for virtual office hours, to get your News Challenge questions answered by Knight, on March 3, 1pm ET

Knight also will be holding events in several cities to explain and promote this News Challenge.

On Twitter, follow #newschallenge and @KnightFdn. Questions, e-mail [email protected].

Sign up for News Challenge alerts.

This Challenge is also supported by contributions from the Democracy Fund, the Hewlett Foundation and the Rita Allen Foundation. Winners will be announced in June.