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– SPJ members (on or before deadline): $9 per entry
– SPJ members (after deadline): $15 per entry
– Non-members (at or before deadline): $18 per entry
– Non-members (after deadline): $30 per entry

Each submission by an SPJ member must be accompanied by a $9 entry fee and the entrant’s membership number. You may not use another student’s membership number to obtain the $9 member entry fee. Each submission by a non-member must be accompanied by an $18 entry fee.

– When an entry by more than one person is submitted, a $9 fee will be acceptable if at least one person on the team is a member of SPJ. The member must be identified and supply his or her membership number. Your adviser’s membership number may not be used for any entry.
– Entries submitted in the Best All-Around categories must be accompanied by an entry fee — $9 if the editor(s) is (are) a member of SPJ, $18 if the editor(s) is (are) not a member. To claim the $9 rate, you must supply the editor’s name and membership number.
– SPJ accepts credit card payments from Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
– Make checks and money orders payable to: Society of Professional Journalists. Entrants paying by check should include the award confirmation number in the memo line. Multiple confirmation numbers should be listed on a note accompanying the check.
– No refunds will be issued.

– Entries not originally published or broadcast in English should include English subtitles or an English translation.
– A cover letter explaining your entry is optional. Limit to one paragraph.

– Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system.
– Entries may be edited for length.
– Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible.
– Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit]
– All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
– Do not upload video to Mediafire. Content uploaded to this site is only available for a limited time.
– A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.

– 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 Competitions

Television Breaking News Reporting

Submit a story or series about a breaking news event, aired within 24 hours of the event. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.

Entries may be edited for length. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.

Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.

Television General News Reporting

Submit a story or series about a news event or issue, not prepared on daily deadline. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.

Entries may be edited for length. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.

Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.

Television Feature

Submit a story or series about a feature topic. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, personality profiles, sidebars, consumer information, historical perspectives or reviews of cultural events. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.

Entries may be edited for length. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.

Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.

Television In-Depth Reporting

Submit a story or series about a topic or issue of public importance that is explored in significant depth with multiple sources. Entry may not exceed a total of 30 minutes.

Entries may be edited for length. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.

Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.

Television Sports Reporting

Submit a story or series about a sports topic. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, breaking news or features. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes. Play-by-Play of a sporting event is not eligible.

Entries may be edited for length. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.

Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.

Television News/Feature Photography

Submit video of a breaking news event or a feature topic that may include (but is not limited to) personality profiles, sidebars, consumer information, historical perspectives, trend stories or reviews of cultural events.. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.

Entries may be edited for length. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible.

Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.

Television Sports Photography

Submit video from a single sports event. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.

Entries may be edited for length. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible.

Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.

Best All-Around Television Newscast

Submit ONE newscast. The entry may not exceed 30 minutes. The newscast may be edited for length. Award will be made in the television station’s name.

Uploading the entry: entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL, or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.

Entries may be edited for length. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.