We believe that no one should have to pay for entry to journalism awards or competitions. That’s why we only round-up ones that are free to enter, covering all stages of your career from student journalism competitions to some of the highest awards for established journalists in the UK and beyond.
We aim to update this list at least once a week, but we’re a tiny team, so if something isn’t right, do get in touch.
We’ll show awards which are open in green, and ones we know are definitely opening on time in orange. Awards left in black are based on last year’s dates. We love tip-offs too, so do let us know of any good opportunities!
Don’t forget, you can also find up-to-date guides on journalism graduate schemes, funding, apprenticeships, and freelance rates if you need them.
Last updated: December 13
December
BBC New Voices 2024 – Closes December 20
A competition to find the new voices of sports commentary; all you need is a passion for sport and to love talking about it.
The CIVIS Media Prize – Closes December 31
Up to €27,000 awards for work focused on migration, integration, diversity, and democratic culture.
The Photography Foundation Awards 2024 – Closes December 31
Everyone gets one free entry to the awards, which have categories including black and white, landscapes, music, social documentary, and more.
Young Writer in Residence at Whitechapel Gallery – Expected To Reopen in December
Residency for young, budding artists aged 18-24, who are living or working in London. The winner will receive bespoke career development opportunities, as well as complimentary tickets to public exhibitions. They will also have the chance to spearhead a gallery programme and receive a residency fee of £500.
International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) Photo Contest – Expected To Reopen in December
Submit 12 examples of your photojournalism to show the range of your work. Prize money of US$20,000.
The Allard Prize Photography Competition — Expected To Open In December 2025
Win CAD 1,000 for photography which focuses on anti-corruption and human rights.
January
GG2 Leadership Awards, Young Journalist of the Year – Closes January 10
Rewarding excellence in Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities. For those under the age of 35.
Sony World Photography Awards (Professional Category) — Closes January 10
The winner in the professional category will receive a cash prize of US$25,000, and the open category winner will receive US$5,000.
World Press Photo Digital Storytelling Contest — Closes January 10
Winners will receive €1,000, and the winner of World Press Photo of the Year will receive €10,000.
The Hatchette Children’s Novel Awards – Closes January 13
A £3000 cash prize on offer for unpublished manuscripts covering children’s novels. This also includes a 9-month programme of mentoring opportunities with Hachette Children’s Group.
Women’s Prize Trust: Writer Development Programme – Closes January 13
This competition invites unpublished and unagented women to submit the opening of a novel in English to win an offer of representation, £5,000, and mentoring.
IRN Awards for News Radio – Closes January 14
The student category for best news or sport is open to all.
FluxusMuseum Prize for Experimental Video 2025 – Closes January 15
A call for proposals demonstrating experimental works! Submitted films should be a maximum of 25 minutes, with no minimum length. 20-40 works will be selected. The winning video makers will be awarded €600.
Future Worlds Prize – Closes January 26
A prize for unpublished Fantasy and Science Fiction writers of colour. First prize offers a total of £4,500 in cash.
The Hillman Prizes – Closes January 30
Prizes of US$5,000 for investigative journalism must have been widely accessible to a US audience.
Amnesty Media Awards — Closes January 31
Amnesty Awards are open to UK journalists across various mediums and celebrate excellence in human rights journalism.
Whickers Film & TV Funding Award – Closes January 31
Funding of £100,000 and £20,000 for emerging filmmakers to direct their first non-fiction film of 50 minutes or more.
The Classical Association Write | Speak | Design – Closes January 31
Win a share of £2,000 in prize money by writing a response to one of this year’s themes.
TRACE Prize for Investigative Reporting: Uncovering Commercial Bribery – Closes January 31
These two $10,000 prizes recognise journalism that uncovers business-related bribery and financial crime.
The Hugo Young Award (Category 16 – 18) – Expected To Reopen in January
Place your political journalism on the stage! This year’s 16 – 18 category winner will receive £100 in book vouchers, a digital subscription to the Guardian for one year, access to a Guardian Masterclass and a trophy presented at The Guardian’s annual event.
The Hugo Young Award (Category 19 – 25) – Opens Early 2025
If you’re aged 16-25, this could be your chance to showcase your talent in political journalism. You will receive £1000 in cash, and you’ll have the opportunity to shadow a Guardian journalist to sharpen your craft.
The Sigma Awards for Data Journalism – Expected to Reopen in January
To reward exceptional data journalism across several categories, winning $5,000 and speaking opportunities in our online events.
Dr Katherine Giles Award For The Best Popular Article By A Scientist Or Engineer – Expected to Reopen in January
Part of the ABSW awards and comes with a £500 prize for the winner. Free to enter if you are a member of the Association of British Science Writers.
Health for All Film Festival — Expected to Reopen in January 2025
Open to short films, social videos, and animations across categories of universal health coverage, health emergencies and better health and well-being. In previous years, winners from each category received $10,000, and all types of artistic approaches are welcome: animation, fiction, documentary, and video art
Association of British Science Writers — Expected to Reopen in January
Free to enter for ABSW members, with prizes of up to £1,000 for winners
IPG Independent Publishing Awards – Expected To Reopen in January
12 different awards to recognise the achievements of independent publishers in the UK and Ireland.
The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize – Expected To Reopen in January
The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize will recognize a significant contribution to press freedom, especially in high-risk areas.The recipient will be recognized during a World Press Freedom Day ceremony on May 3, 2024. Moreover, they will receive an award totalling $25,000 USD.
Statistical Excellence in Journalism Award – Expected to Reopen in January
Four awards recognising the value of using statistics in journalism.
February
New Media Writing Prize, Student Award — Closes February 1
Prizes of between £500-£1,000 for the best digital storytelling. The best student writer will win either a creative writing course or a year’s magazine subscription.
Livingston Award for Young Journalists – Closes February 1
An award for journalists under 35 who submit works relating to current events, or provide new information about old events. A total of $10,000 USD will be allocated to three journalists.
University of Oxford Philip Geddes Memorial Prizes – Closes February 16
The Geddes Trust awards £6,500 of journalism prizes to University students in Hilary Term.
Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award – Closes February 19
Win $12,500 USD plus research privileges and office space in New York.
Observer/Anthony Burgess Prize for Arts Journalism – Closes February 28
A competition set out to uncover the best new writing about any of the arts. The first prize is £3,000 plus publication of the winning piece in the Observer New Review and online. Two runners-up will win £500 each. Entry is free to those on low incomes.
The Wincott Awards – Closes February 28
Those under the age of 30 at the end of 2023 can win up to £5,000 for business, economics and finance work. Entries are open for seven different awards.
Festival of Migrant Film Competition –Expected To Reopen in February
International filmmakers, video artists and activists are invited to submit their films and video works of any genre, length or year of production for consideration to the Festival programme team. All entries must be submitted with English (or Slovenian) subtitles.
March
Big Picture Competition– Closes March 1
The competition is open to all photographers worldwide. The photographs submitted should focus on nature, wildlife, and conservation. The grand prize is $5,000 USD, while first-place entries across the seven categories will win $1,000 USD, respectively.
The Stuart Hall Essay Prize — Closes March 3
The winner will receive £2,000 to reward writing that connects ideas and impacts the public discourse. Writers must be aged 18–30 to enter.
Travel Media Awards – Expected To Reopen in Spring 2025
Open to all travel writers, broadcasters and photographers, the Awards is a true barometer of the travel media sector.
BBC Storyville Development Pitch 2025 – Expected to Reopen in March 2025
A pitching opportunity for ideas in the early stages of development! A total prize pot of up to £3,000 is on offer, which may be split between two ideas. There’s also a chance to receive support from commissioners.
Covering Climate Now Awards – Closed March 1
Inviting journalists from around the world and across newsroom beats to submit their work as exemplary coverage of the defining story of our time is celebrated.
The 2024 New Poets Prize – Closed March 6
The New Poets Prize is a pamphlet competition for writers between 17 and 24. Entrants are invited to submit short collections of twelve pages of poems. Winners and runners-up will be selected to receive a year of support from The Poetry Business.
BBC World News Komla Dumor Award – Closed March 15
An award for an exceptional storyteller based in Africa, with strong journalism skills, on-air flair, and an exceptional talent in telling African stories. The winner will receive £2,000 per month, covering the living expenses of a three month placement. There is also a one-off payment of £5,000 as a contribution towards loss of salary in their home country.
Publisher Podcast Award — Closed March 15
Open to publishing companies, who publish English content in at least one other medium alongside the podcast.
Washington Post Stern Fellowship – Closed March 18
A three-month fellowship for experienced journalists at the Washington Post.
Sony Positive Influence Mentoring Programme – Closed March 27
Sony Positive Influence offers a 6-month mentoring program with Sony for media enthusiasts interested in music, gaming, film, or tech careers, providing one-on-one mentoring, network access, and event invitations.
Northern Writers’ Awards, Round 1 – Closed March 28
Win a book deal and professional development, with advances and bursaries of £2-5,000 on offer.
Aerospace Media Awards – Closed March 29
Over twenty fascinating categories on offer here for writers in the aerospace industry. All free to enter, with one nomination per category.
Think Prize, The Royal Institute of Philosophy – Closed March 31
The Royal Institute of Philosophy has opened submissions for its inaugural essay competition for the ‘Think’ journal. Open to students worldwide between 16-18 and in full-time education, essays of up to 1,200 words can explore themes like machine thinking, the morality of meat consumption, or the nature of reality, with the winning entry published in Think and other prizes awarded.
Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness – Closed March 31
This prize rewards evidence-led reporting and/or commentary on homelessness in all its forms. Free to enter and worth £3000 to the winner. Shortlists announced in May. The Orwell Prizes uphold the aims and values of the author and journalist George Orwell (1903-1950).
The Golden Turtle Awards – Closed March 31
Individual prizes of up to $2,000 USD for projects showcasing ethical wildlife photography.
The Orwell Prizes for Journalism — Closed March 31
For sustained reportage or commentary across the year in any medium. Free to enter and worth £3000 to the winner. Shortlists announced in May. The Orwell Prizes uphold the aims and values of the author and journalist George Orwell (1903-1950).
April
The Royal Statistical Society, Statistical Excellence in Journalism Awards – Expected To Open In April 2025
To reward excellence in using statistics to question, analyse and investigate the issues that affect society.
Young Science Writer of the Year Award – Expected To Reopen April
An opportunity for talented writers aged 14-16 years to submit an 800-word essay on any science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics subject.
National Diversity Awards — Expected To Open In April
Celebrates the excellent achievements of grassroots communities that tackle the issues in today’s society, recognising them for their dedication and hard work.
Global Peace Photo Award — Expected To Open In April
Formerly known as The Alfred Fried Photography Award, photographers can win €7,000 for work showcasing human efforts for a peaceful world.
Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award — Expected To Open In April
The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award recognises professional women photographers who document important social, environmental, economic or cultural issues. One overall winner will receive £2,500 towards an ongoing project.
Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs (DBACE) – Closed April 1
A funding stream set to support talented 18 -30-year-olds to create positive impacts through social enterprise. There will be five winners in total, with a £60,000 prize fund and £100,000 worth of business support.
Mary Mulvihill Award – Closed April 2
Awards €2,000 to a student at a HE institution in Ireland for work about science and industry. This year’s theme is ‘Intelligence’.
Printing Charity Rising Stars Award 2024 – Closed April 5
Awards up to £1500 for emerging talent to invest in personal skills development and training.
The Orwell Society/NUJ Young Journalist’s Award 2024 – Closed April 7
The Orwell Society/NUJ Young Journalist’s Award 2023 offers a prize of £1,500 each for each winner of the two categories stipulated below. In addition, the student winners will each receive an NUJ membership. The runners-up in each category will receive a prize of £500, and winners and runners-up will also receive a three-year free membership of The Orwell Society.
Edinburgh TV Festival Ones to Watch 2023 — Closed April 11
An innovative award scheme gives television’s future best and brightest access to inspiring sessions, creative debate, unrivaled networking opportunities, and mentorship.
Young Sports Journalist Competition – Closed April 12
The Young Sports Journalist Competition, 2024, seeks well-argued articles from aspiring journalists aged 14-21. Winning entries will be published online and printed in the Summer Issue of Pitch. There is also a £50 cash prize on offer, as well as valuable work experience.
Dive Photo Guide United Nations World Oceans Day 2024 Photography Competition — Closed April 14
Six competitions are open for submission, accepting entries focusing on the challenges and the importance of the ocean and humankind’s relation to it.
Piazza Grande Religion Journalism Award – Closed April 15
Prizes of 2000€, 500€ and 250€ for journalists based in Europe and the Mediterranean. This prize is set out to encourage journalistic coverage of religion, covering peace and conflict, interfaith conflicts, arts and society, and the intersection of politics with religion.
Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Journalism on Asia – Closed April 15
Media outlets covering the Asia Pacific can compete for the $10,000 Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Journalism, honouring outstanding reporting published in English during 2023.
Northern Writers’ Awards, Round 2 – Closed April 17
Win a book deal and professional development, with advances and bursaries of £2-5,000 on offer.
RPS Young Classical Writers Prize – Closed April 18
Up to £500 on offer for outstanding writing on classical music. This is open to anyone aged 16-25.
Kent Press & Broadcast Awards — Closed April 19
15 categories for journalism produced by individuals and websites in Kent.
Nature Writing Prize for Working Class Authors – Closed April 19
A free-to-enter prize for UK working-class writers to receive: a one year’s free membership to Campaign for National Parks; a £300 paid commission to write a National Parks inspired piece for Viewpoint Magazine; an Arvon course; one-hour mentoring sessions with a Gaia commissioner and a book bundle from Octopus Publishing Group.
FarmED Chelsea Green Writers Prize 2024 – Closed April 19
Entrants for this prize should write up to 1500 words about any subject across the spectrum of ecological food, farming and the environment. Prizes include a ‘library’ of Chelsea Green titles worth £500, plus an exclusive one-to-one session with Muna Reyal.
Restless Development The Safe Photography Project – Closed April 22
This photography project will take twelve young creatives under their wing to explore themes surrounding youth safety. A stipend up to $1250 USD is on offer for training, and global exposure.
Freelance Journalism Awards — Closed April 26
Run by Freelancing for Journalists, there are seven categories to enter, each with a £100 prize.
The Global Young Journalist Awards — Closed April 26
The Global Young Journalist Awards is an accessible competition that allows young people to tell their story about an issue that matters to them, in a medium of their choice.
National Trust Space + Time Award – Closed April 30
The Time + Space Award offers winners up to £5,000 in a bespoke package, including guided tours, mentoring, tools, resources, and support to explore and develop their big idea in science, art, society, or nature, with all expenses covered by the National Trust.
Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award — Closed April 30
The award will recognize and support reporting and writing from experienced science journalists, awarding up to $20,000 USD. Interested applicants must submit three to five published clips or other work samples illustrating their best work.
May
BCTJ Awards — Expected Top Open May 2025
Open to students on a BCTJ-accredited course. Up to £500 on offer.
Mo Siewcharran Writing Prize 2024 – Closed May 1
The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2024 seeks unpublished fiction writers from Black, Asian, mixed heritage, and minority ethnic backgrounds for its fantasy genre competition. Up to £2,500 on offer mentoring, literary agency meetings. Prizes also for runners up, and there’s a chance of publication with Hodder & Stoughton.
The AOP Award for Inspiring Local Journalism, Digital Publishing Awards– Closed May 28
This category, sponsored by Google News, is free to enter and supports inspiring local journalism. The recipient will have to prove to the board that their work illustrates that investigative and campaigning journalism is alive and well in the UK’s communities.
Vilnius Short Film Festival – Free entry closed May 31
Grants for short films lasting 30 minutes, covering fiction. documentary, and many other genres. English subtitles required for non-English language films.
Biophilia Award for Environmental Communication — Closed May 31
A prize of €100,000 for professionals that have contributed exceptionally to improving public understanding and awareness of ecological issues.
June
Bayeux Calvados-Normandy award for war correspondents — Closed June 6
€7,000 prizes for radio, photography, and television reporting about a conflict situation or the defence of freedom.
PLURAL+ UN Youth Video Festival Competition — Closed June 10
Submit a video on migration, diversity or social inclusion for the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival and you could be flown out to collect the award.
Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism — Closed June 14
The three Award categories recognise the journalists most admired by Kurt: freelancers, local reporters and news fixers. Winners will receive a $5,000 USD
Prix Albert Londres Prize – Closed June 14
Three separate prizes for French-speaking journalists aged 40 or under. Includes prizes for print, book entries and broadcast.
The Hugh Cudlipp Student Award — Closed June 14
The £1,500 prize, sponsored by The Daily Mirror, is given to a student who has made an outstanding contribution to journalism for an article, or series of articles, or video, exploring an issue of public interest or concern which, in the Cudlipp tradition, exemplifies lucid and graphic communication to a popular audience.
Press Gazette Future of Media Awards — Closed June 14
Rewarding work which brings quality journalism to audiences, for example, innovative product launches, digital strategies, and new storytelling methods.
Women in Film and Television Awards – Closed June 14
This award celebrates the achievements of women in the industry across 14 categories including Director, Writer, Producer, Business and Contribution to the Medium. Free to enter and people can vote across multiple categories.
Goi Peace Foundation’s International Essay Contest for Young People — Closed June 15
Write an essay to your present self from 2030 and you could win US$600 and attend the award ceremony in Tokyo.
The Times Richard Beeston Bursary 2024 – Closed June 24
A bursary for aspiring foreign correspondents at the beginning of their career. Total of £6,000 to be used spending six weeks abroad, researching and reporting on a foreign news story for The Times.
MMC Young Female Broadcaster of the Year – Closed June 27
Are you a young, female presenter with oodles of enthusiasm, passion, and knowledge? Send in your audio or showreel for MMC’s Young Female Broadcaster of the Year. The winner will be invited to cover the The Hundred Final at Lord’s as part of the UK Sky Sports team.
International News Media Association 30 Under 30s – Closed June 28
INMA aims to find 30 rising stars in news media with early career achievements! Winners will receive global recognition in a virtual announcement, a certificate of recognition, a social media badge, free access to two INMA virtual masterclasses and a 12-month membership in INMA.
FAB Prize for Undiscovered Writers and Illustrators of Colour, Fabian & Fabian – Closes June 28
This is an opportunity for previously unpublished (not excluding self-published) Black, Asian, and non-white minority ethnic background writers and illustrators to platform their work. The winner will receive a cash prize of £1,500, a place on the Faber Academy writing course, a one-year membership to the AOI (Illustration), and the opportunity to shadow already established authors and illustrators on virtual school visits.
East London Scholarship Scheme – Closed June 29
The East London Scholarship scheme is open to UK-based students interested in studying full or part-time taught graduate degree programmes. Eligibility is based on financial need and specific evidence of having lived or studied in east London.
Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award for Young Science Journalist — Closed June 30
US$1,000 and expenses paid trip to ScienceWriters2024. Must be under 30, producing print/online science journalism.
Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize – Closed June 30
Awards of EUR 10,000 for excellent reporting on sustainable development, gender equality, democracy and human rights worldwide.
Evening Standard Stories Competition — Expected To Open In June 2025
A story writing competition where winners will receive bespoke masterclasses, mentorship, and a chance to perform their story at the Evening Standard Stories Festival.
IPSE Freelancer Awards 2025 – Expected to Reopen Summer 2025
Multiple nationally-recognised awards cover various categories, including the Outstanding Freelancer Award, the Young Freelancer Award, and the Freelancing Project Award. Designed to recognise and celebrate innovation and excellence within the UK freelance community.
Megacities Shortdocs – Expected to Reopen in Summer 2025
People who live in a megacity (including London) are invited to submit a short documentary of up to four minutes, which raises awareness of urban challenges and solutions. The winner will receive a trip to Paris and $1,667.
July
Banff Centre Mountain Book Competition — Closed July 2
A total of $29,000 USD in cash prizes on offer for candidates submitting mountain literature. There are eight categories: adventure travel, mountain fiction and poetry, guidebooks, mountain imagery, mountain articles, mountain literature, environmental literature, and climbing literature.
European Journalism Centre Climate Journalism Award – Closed July 5
Prizes of up to €2,400 EUR across five different categories of environmental journalism: data; storytelling and solutions; investigative reporting; visualisations and emerging talent.
#Youth4Regions – Closed July 8
The European Commission programme helps journalism students and young journalists discover what the EU is doing in their region. You’ll receive training and mentorship, work with renowned journalists, visit the EU headquarters, take part in press trips, and have your accommodation, food, and expenses covered.
UK Social Enterprise Awards 2024 — Closed July 8
Fifteen awards to celebrate the contributions made by social enterprises addressing issues around diversity, inclusion, equity and justice.
WeAreTechWomen100 Awards – Closed July 8
Although this award focuses on celebrating women in tech, it also applies to technical journalism/production roles.
Rory Peck Award – Closed July 12
Four categories to enter here, to celebrate outstanding work produced by freelance journalists and filmmakers worldwide.
Sundance Institute Documentary Fund – Closed July 15
A funding pool which supports work that has expressed the world in “creative, complex, beautiful, and provocative ways.” Applications from underrepresented communities are encouraged.
Burlington Contemporary Art Writing Prize – Closed July 15
Entrants are invited to submit one unpublished review of a contemporary art exhibition, between 800 – 1,500 words. The winner will receive £1,000 and have their review published in the Burlington Contemporary. There is also a chance to review future art pieces with the magazine.
The Journalist’s Charity Wales Media Awards 2024 – Closed July 19
The awards recognise individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to journalism in Wales in both English and Welsh.
Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism – Closed July 31
A EUR20,000 (US$21,044) prize which rewards outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union. These include topics protecting human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights.
Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards – Closed July 31
Got a hilarious animal photo hiding in your folders? This free, globally renowned competition celebrates the hilarity of the natural world, while outlining the moves we need to take to protect it. The overall winner will receive a one-week safari in Kenya for two people with Alex Walker’s Serian, and other prizes.
Human Rights and Religious Freedom Awards – Closed July 31
Global journalists reporting on human rights and religious freedom can compete for IAMC’s Journalism Awards, offering $599 USD and a plaque. Categories include text, photo, video, and young journalists.
Nan Shepherd Prize – Expected To Open July 2025
A prize to recognise unpublished nature writers. The winner will receive a book deal with £10,000 advance and mentoring.
August
AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards – Closed August 1
An award recognising excellence in science, engineering and mathematics. Open to journalists across the globe who foster a better public understanding of science through content. Awards up to $5,000 USD.
Michael Joseph’s PMJ Undiscovered Writers’ Prize – Closed August 5
Submit the first 5,000 words of your story, alongside a pitch, to Penguin Random House’s PMJ Undiscovered Writers Prize. This is an opportunity for an unpublished, underrepresented romance writer to grab with a publishing contract with Penguin Michael Joseph worth at least £10,000.
Free Press Awards – Closed August 12
Global awards for journalists who go to great lengths to ensure stories are told.
Watch Docs Human Rights in Film International Festival – Closed August 14
A free-to-enter, open invite for worldwide documentarians to submit films centred on human rights issues. Submissions in English or Polish with English subtitles.
The Reelworld Radio Academy 30 Under 30 – Closed August 15
An annual competition for the 30 best young talents in radio and audio.
Asian Media Awards – Closed August 22
Dedicated to recognising Asian journalists across the media, who highlight race relations and human rights issues.
Anna Politkovskaya-Arman Soldin Prize for Courage in Journalism – Closed August 30
Calling all courageous journalists and photojournalists! Apply now for the Anna Politkovskaya-Arman Soldin Prize for Courage in Journalism, offering a £8,600 award to support your impactful work.
Save The Children Global Media Awards – Closed August 31
Journalists passionate about children’s rights, this is your chance to enter the Global Media Awards. Two categories on offer here: wo categories: local/regional media and international outlets/wires. Winners will receive a trophy, personalised certificate, and an exclusive Save the Children press trip.
Ian Parry Scholarship – Closed August 31
Two awards of £10,000 to help young photographers and photography students undertake a documentary project.
Action Against Hunger Scholarship – Closed August 31
This is a scholarship for photographers, content creators, and videographers! The winner will receive a prize of 10,000 EUR while receiving mentorship and guidance to develop “multimedia language in the humanitarian field.”
Francophone Fact-Checking Journalism Award – Closed August 31
French-speaking journalists who excel in fact-checking can apply for the Francophone Fact-Checking Journalism Award, offering £860 prizes in four specialist categories.
September
#Merky Books New Writers’ Prize – Closed September 1
Are you an unpublished writer aged 16-35? This scheme with Penguin Random House aims to equip you with everything you need to get published.
Professional Excellence Prizes for Foreign Journalists – Closed September 1
For USA-based journalists working in various media formats. Winners will receive an award of excellence and US$2,000-5,000.
Foreign Press Correspondents USA Scholarship Program – Closed September 1
This annual scholarship supports foreign journalists studying in the USA to enhance their skill sets through graduate-level programs. Applicants must meet their visa requirements prior to submitting their application.
Sheikh Zayed Book Award – Closed September 1
Publishers, writers, researchers and translators across the Arab region can compete for The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, which is worth over $1,900,000 USD annually. Categories are vast, including children’s literature, publishing and technology, and young author amongst many others.
Travel Connection Awards 12 Awards of Christmas – Closed September 13
Open to everyone, these awards recognize the hard work accomplished by people in the travel industry. Twelve categories are on offer, including best mentor, unsung hero, and more!
Fetisov Journalism Awards – Closed September 15
Organised by a Russian philanthropist called Gleb Fetisov, journalists can win up to $10,400 USD for their coverage on peace, civil rights, investigative reporting and environmental journalism.
The Georgina Henry Award for Digital Innovation – Closed September 20
A £4,000 prize for innovative and impactful journalism, in honour of the late Guardian Deputy Editor, Georgina Henry. Read our guide to entries here.
September
The British Journalism Awards 2024 – Closed September 27
The British Journalism Awards celebrates the best public interest journalism produced for a UK audience. The entry fee is waived under the Marie Colvin category to encourage greater diversity.
Manuel Chaves Nogales International Journalism Award – Closed September 27
Up to €6,000 (£5,170) prizes for works in print, digital media, radio, television, and photography. Eligible entries must be Spanish-language pieces published or broadcast between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024
Postgrad.com Solutions Study Bursaries – Closed September 30
Up to £2000 in bursaries on offer to anyone about to commence study on any postgraduate course anywhere in the world. There are 15 bursaries available in total.
Write to End Violence Against Women Awards – Closed September 30
A £450 bursary awarded to a new writer on violence against women.
United Nations Correspondents Association Award – Closed September 30
Three categories to award the best of print, broadcast and climate change stories. Prizes amount to $60,000.
October
Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 – Closed October 6
For photographers under 18. Submit your best travel images – winners can receive up to £500.
Nosakhari Film Festival 2024 – Closed October 12
Showcasing a selection of films that inspire, innovate, and drive change in the community.
ConnectHER Film Festival – Closed October 14
$5,000 prizes for students under 25 who submit a film on global women’s issues.
The Book Edit Writer’s Prize – Closed October 15
A writing competition for unpublished UK authors and novelists from underrepresented backgrounds. The winning writers will be invited to the showcase and will be given training on reading their work aloud with an online rehearsal. All entrants will receive advice on accessing mentorship.
Writing on the Wall Pulp Idol 2025 – Closed October 18
Liverpool’s longest-running novel writing competition, Pulp Idol, is now open for submissions for 2025! Aspiring novelists across the Liverpool City Region can submit their first chapter for a chance to get published and featured in the Pulp Idol 2025 anthology, offering exposure to top literary agents and publishers.
Knowmad Short Film Festival (Final Deadline) – Closed October 18
Professional and amateur filmmakers worldwide capturing the advances of human dignity and human rights can submit their short films for consideration. Accepted formats include documentary, fiction, animation and vertical.
Bloomsberg Academic Writing Fellowship – Closed October 20
This is an offer open to early career Black African or African Caribbean scholars in the UK support to develop their academic book ideas. The Fellowship includes £1000, mentorship, editorial assistance, and networking opportunities, with projects aligning to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
True Story Award – Closed October 22
An international contest, where 36 entrants will be invited to attend an award ceremony in June 2025 in Bern, Switzerland. Winners in the three available categories will be awarded with $20,000 USD.
International Labour Organisation Global Media Competition – Closed October 31
$1,200 prize for professional journalists and $500 for students on labour migration.
November
NCTJ Awards for Excellence – Closed November 1
Open to trainees and students on an NCTJ course and community reporters.
Iceland Writer’s Retreat Scholarship – Closed November 1
Partial and full funding are available on offer here for writers in financial need. Applicants must demonstrate a passion for refining their craft.
Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024 – Closed November 2
A free-to-enter competition for citizens of the Commonwealth for unpublished fiction. Overall winner will receive £5,000, and regional winners will each receive £2,500. All winning stories will be published on Granta.
International Sport Press Association 2024 Sport Media Awards – Closed November 4
An international competition seeking out the best sports writing, photography, audio, and video journalists across a variety of age groups and categories. First, second and third-place winners in the eight senior categories will receive USD $8,000, USD $3,000 and USD $2,000, respectively.
W&A Working-Class Writers’ Prize – Closed November 4
Open to working-class writers writing in all genres. Winners will receive a £200 cash prize, a mentoring session with judge and author Paul Mendez, access to a number of W&A writing and publishing events, and writing guide bundles.
The CIoJ Young Journalist of the Year Awards 2025 – Closed November 5
Eight categories to recognise rising stars in the world of journalism, winning membership of the organisation, training, and advice.
Bloomsbury Academic Writing Fellowship 2024 – Closed November 10
To help early-career academics get their book into a form which is ready for publication. This is open to those of African and African Caribbean heritage.
SPA Regional Awards – Closed November 14
These awards recognise the best student work in the UK regions. They will take into account their overall relevance to their student community, the quality of content they produce, and the impact of their work. This is an annual opportunity and awards are held for each of the SPA’s eight regions: London, the North, the Midlands, the South East, the South West, Ireland & Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Pulitzer Centre Letter Writing Contest 2025 – Closed November 15
Calling all K-12 writers and creatives across the globe! Make your voice heard this autumn by writing a letter to a local elected representative that explains the global issue you want them to prioritise with your own solutions. First-place winners will receive $300 USD, and your letter will be published on the Pulitzer Center website.
Happiful Poetry Prize 2025 – Closed November 18
A free-to-enter award for poetry exploring mental health and wellbeing topics in original and empowering ways. The winner will receive £100 and there are four prizes for runners-up. All five poems will be published in their anniversary issue in March, 2024.
Philip Meyer Journalism Award – Closed November 20
A contest that recognises the best social research journalism, the first place prize is US$500, the second is US$300 and the third is US$200. This award is only free for students.
Sony World Photography Awards. Open Competition — Closed November 29
An opportunity to win a cash prize of up to $5,000 USD, photography equipment, and an opportunity to showcase your work at the World Photo London exhibition.
Reporters d’Espoirs – Closed November 30
Prizes up to 2,500 EUR for solutions-based journalism projects which shine a light on the francophone world.
BBC Radio 4’s Journey of a Lifetime – Closed until 2025
A £5,000 grant for an aspiring journalist to make the journey of a lifetime and make a radio documentary on it.
December
Hatch New Founder Programmes — Closed December 1
Incubators for people looking to set up or grow sustainable businesses in a range of sectors. Bursary and subsided places are available.
American Association for Cancer Research June L Biedler for Cancer Journalism — Closed December 9
A free-to-enter awards stream for journalists spearheading investigations into cancer. Potential to win a $5,000 USD cash prize.
European Press Prize — Closed December 14
Four awards and a ‘special award’ are available. The special award grants €10,000 to the winners for a project that may enrich journalism.
NewsAwards 2025 – Closed December 16
Celebrating the best in news media print, technology and business innovation.
Other Schemes
There are several other schemes we are aware have run in the past, but we cannot provide details of when or if they will re-open. We will provide new information as soon as it becomes available.
These schemes are:
- Words by Women Awards
- Wyn Harness Prize (The Independent)
- Travelex Best New Travel Writer
- Sensora Music Journalism Bursary
- David Welch Sports Award
- CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year Award
- The Comment Awards
- AITO Travel Writer of the Year
- Creative Access & Getty Images Photojournalism Scholarship
- One Young World Journalist of the Year
- Theatre Photograph of the Year
- Anthony Howard Political Prize
- Index On Censorship Fellowship
- National Geographic Travel Writing Competition
- Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust Award
- Hostwriter Prize
- Young Audio Award