Eligibility & Entry Criteria
- What are the deadlines?
- Who can enter?
- Am I eligible for the student category?
- Am I in the Large or Small Newsroom category?
- What are eligible publication dates?
- Can I enter more than once?
- Do you accept non-English and international entries?
Submission Process
- How do I submit my entry?
- What should my entry include?
- Can I submit a cover letter?
- How should entries behind paywalls be handled?
- Are translations required for non-English entries?
Fees and Payments
- How much does it cost to enter?
- Are there discounts or waivers available?
- Are entry fees refundable?
- What if my entry is disqualified?
Judging and Awards
- Who selects the winners?
- What are the judging criteria?
- When will winners be announced?
- What prizes do winners receive?
- Can judges submit entries?
- What’s purpose of the demographic questions? Will they affect scoring?
Technical Support
Eligibility & Entry Criteria
What are the deadlines?
Regular deadline: September 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT
Late deadline: September 16, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT (double late fees apply)
Who can enter?
Entries are open to all journalists, students, freelancers, and contributors from newsrooms worldwide. SEJ members and non-members, covering any beat, are eligible.
Am I eligible for the student category?
Yes, if you're a current high school, undergraduate, or graduate student, or recent graduate submitting work produced while enrolled. Mid-career journalists returning to school and post-doctoral students are not eligible. Entries cannot share a byline with non-students.
Am I in the Large or Small Newsroom category?
- Print, Text-Based Entries:
- Large Newsroom: 100+ editorial staff (including freelancers and contractors).
- Small Newsroom: Under 100 full-time editorial staff.
- Broadcast, Audio, Multimedia:
- Large Newsroom: National TV/radio outlets or top 50 TV/top 100 radio newsrooms.
- Small Newsroom: All others.
Freelancers determine categories based on where the work was published/aired.
What are the eligible publication dates?
Entries must have been first published or broadcast between May 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025. Books must have been published in 2024 with a copyright date within the calendar year.
Can I enter more than once?
Yes, but each entry must be unique. Duplicate entries will be disqualified without refund.
Do you accept non-English and international entries?
Yes, submissions come in from around the world and are accepted, as long as an accurate English translation is included.
Submission Process
How do I submit my entry?
All entries must be submitted online via SEJ’s Submittable submission portal.
What should my entry include?
- Work samples (links or PDF).
- Brief description and an entry summary cover letter (recommended, max one page).
- Supporting evidence of impact and engagement (optional but beneficial).
Can I submit a cover letter?
Yes, an entry summary, cover letter is recommended (max one page). Clearly state the significance, impact, and context of your entry.
How should entries behind paywalls be handled?
Provide password-free links or passwords ensuring access for screeners and judges.
Are translations required for non-English entries?
Yes, all non-English entries must be submitted with a complete and accurate English translation.
Fees and Payments
How much does it cost to enter?
Fees per entry:
- SEJ Members: $45 (Standard), $90 (Late)
- Students (Members): Free (Standard), $25 (Late)
- Students (Nonmembers): $25 (Standard), $50 (Late)
- Low-Middle Income Country Journalists: $10 (Standard), $20 (Late)
- Others: $110 (Standard), $220 (Late)
Are there discounts or waivers available?
SEJ members facing financial hardship may request waivers via the SEJ Members in Need Fund. Nonmembers may join SEJ prior to submission to qualify for discounted rates.
Are entry fees refundable?
No, all fees are non-refundable.
What if my entry is disqualified?
SEJ staff review eligibility upon submission. Disqualified entries are not refunded. Carefully review eligibility guidelines before submitting.
Judging and Awards
Who selects the winners?
Independent panels of journalists, educators and subject-matter experts appointed by SEJ's Awards Committee.
What are the judging criteria?
Entries are judged on journalistic rigor, accuracy, impact, creativity, and audience engagement.
When will winners be announced?
Winners will be announced in the spring and celebrated at SEJ2026, in Chicago, April 15-18, 2026.
What prizes do winners receive?
- SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment:
- 1st Place: $500, trophy, digital winner’s banner, discounted SEJ conference registration.
- 2nd Place: $250, online recognition and digital winner’s banner, discounted registration.
- 3rd & Honorable Mentions: Digital winner’s banner, discounted registration.
- Nina Mason Pulliam Award:
Can judges submit entries?
Yes, but not in a category they judge.
What’s the purpose of the demographic questions? Will they affect scoring?
No. Judges do not have access to DEI responses. SEJ collects this data solely for internal data and insights to inform stronger equitable practices.
Technical Support
What happens if I encounter technical difficulties?
Complete the contact form for assistance. Technical issues must be reported promptly to ensure eligibility.
Where do I ask other questions?
For other queries, email awards@sej.org. And look out for a webinar Q&A session in August for tips and your opportunity to ask your questions live!
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