– Entries not originally published or broadcast in English should include English subtitles or an English translation.
– Incomplete entries will be disqualified. Entrants will not be notified of such disqualification and their entry fees will not be refunded.
– Material submitted for the contest will not be returned. Winning entries may be reproduced or posted on the SPJ website for educational or other purposes.
– A cover letter explaining your entry is optional. Limit to one paragraph.
– Starting this year, all entries in every category must be uploaded to the online awards site. If an entry is mailed to SPJ Headquarters, it will be disqualified.
– Mark the date of publication or broadcast on all items submitted.
– Each contestant may enter as many categories as desired, but may submit no more than two entries per category. There is no limit on the number of entries a school or news outlet may enter.
– Each entry must be accompanied by the correct entry fee.
– Be sure the name of each student who worked on the entry is listed on the entry form and spelled correctly.
– Up to four individuals may be named on a team entry; otherwise, the entry must be submitted in the name of the newspaper, magazine, station or online news site.
– Work should be submitted in the region where the entrant is enrolled in school. See the SPJ website or entry form for regional boundaries. International SPJ student members should select the “international” option in the regional drop down box.
Award Categories
Breaking News Photography
Large (10,000+ students) and Small (1-9,999) School Divisions
Submit ONE photo of a breaking news event. For photographs published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site. Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
General News Photography
Large (10,000+ students) and Small (1-9,999) School Divisions
Submit ONE photo of a news event, not covered on deadline. For photographs published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site. Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Feature Photography
Large (10,000+ students) and Small (1-9,999) School Divisions
Submit a photo, or a short series of photos. Limit a series to no more than FIVE photos.
For photographs published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Photo Illustration
Large (10,000+ students) and Small (1-9,999) School Divisions
Submit a photo, or a short series, of photos that helps illustrate a news or feature story without necessarily being straight photography. Entries may be staged, composite or otherwise manipulated, but should disclose that to the reader. Limit a series to no more than FIVE photos. For photo illustrations published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo illustration appeared, or a link to the illustration published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Sports Photography
Large (10,000+ students) and Small (1-9,999) School Divisions
Submit ONE photo of a sports event. For photographs published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Editorial Cartooning
Submit THREE different published cartoons commenting on issues of significance to the newspaper’s readers. All three cartoons should be by the same cartoonist.
Three cartoons = one entry. Upload all three cartoons as one entry. Do not submit cartoons separately.
For cartoons published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the cartoon appeared, or a link to the illustration published on an online news site. The dates of publication should be visible.