Online news has certainly changed the field of journalism, and it has also changed people's lives by making information more accessible. As online news continues to grow and expand, it will likely do both even more. The Knight Foundation is helping move this innovation along.

In the Knight Brothers 21st Century News Challenge, the foundation is giving out $5 million to individuals, organizations, and businesses that think up new, creative ideas that will improve online journalism and strengthen communities. Most submissions for funding will likely fall into one of these five categories:

• Ideas: unique concepts that can change the future of news and communities
• Pilot projects: ideas that are developed and ready to be tested
• Leadership: ideas for how to guide many unique ideas and projects and transform them into a movement
• Products: new items that will address a social need and be profitable
• Open: for ideas outside of the box and the categories above

You can find out more about this opportunity and apply for it online. The deadline for letters of inquiry is December 1, 2006.