NPR is the nation’s largest source of quality radio news. In 2005, Knight gave NPR a $250,000 planning grant to enhance local news capacity. That spurred the system to work with its member stations to devise a plan to set up local news “hubs” around the country, which it is now phasing in. But NPR’s news issues have become even more pressing.

Though its on-air programs have grown in popularity this past decade to reach nearly 27 million listeners each week – a 40 percent increase over the past five years – the rate of growth is slowing. To add to its reach, NPR is making a major push in the area of digital technology.

During this grant, about 600 NPR staff will be trained in its new audio production and content management system. Additionally, up to 40 NPR senior managers, leaders and training staff will learn how to transform the NPR newsroom for the digital future; and about 400 NPR reporters, producers, editors and other staff will have completed multimedia skills training.

It’s expected that NPR staff will learn how to gain understanding of how to better cover news online, and gain tools for managing change and transformation in its newsroom. Ultimately, this grant aims to help NPR bring its quality journalism forward in the digital age.