We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce WNYC’s contest to find the next great podcast, culminating in a winner chosen at ONA15.

Home to top podcasts, including Radiolab, Freakonomics Radio and Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin, WNYC is putting out the welcome mat for original ideas, accepting applications for its Podcast Accelerator Contest starting June 25. Whether you’re an established print journalist, an undiscovered personality with no formal training or somewhere in between, WNYC is looking for your fresh ideas. Read the rules for submission, and then submit your idea by Wednesday, July 15.

Leading up to ONA15, five finalists will be chosen for an accelerator program. During the program, they’ll receive virtual mentoring from WNYC producers to help hone their pitches, including developing story lines, characters, sound, texture and voice. Participants will also have two virtual meet-ups to share ideas and progress with their fellow finalists, as well as receive support from ONA’s digital director and a WNYC producer. Each finalist also will receive one complimentary registration to attend ONA15.

During a special session at ONA15, finalists will pitch their ideas live to a panel of judges. The judges will then select and announce one grand-prize winner, who will have a pilot episode of their show produced by WNYC, thanks to generous support from MailChimp.

We’ll host a panel discussion about podcasting during the event, with speakers to be announced shortly.

If you’re interested in learning more about podcasts at ONA15, we also have a beginner’s workshop on podcasting, lead by WBUR’s Tiffany Campbell, as well as an intermediate workshop on professionalizing your podcast,  lead by BuzzFeed’s Julia Furlan and producer of the recently launched podcast “First Time Last Time,” Ben Adair.