01 Feb CONTEST OPEN: Submit 2025 entries for the NW Excellence in Journalism Contest!
You’ve waited patiently… and it’s finally time to get your best work of 2025 together, because the annual SPJ Region 10 Excellence in Journalism Contest is open!
DEADLINE: 8:59 p.m. PST, March 2
SPJ Region 10 includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. Anyone who produces journalism residing and working in these states is eligible to enter the contest. Entries for this contest must have been published, broadcasted, aired or posted online from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025.
This year, the professional SPJ chapters of Washington and Oregon are once again teaming up to run the contest. We continue to accept submissions through BetterBNC.com.
There are a few important changes to the contest this year.
New categories
First, we’re adding new contest categories, including:
- A category for federal impact reporting, with an award given for coverage in print, magazines, broadcast and radio.
- The debut of the Evergreen State A-Mark Awards for Investigative Reporting, honoring excellence in Washington journalism with $15,000 in prize money. Eligibility is limited to Washington-based reporters and/or newsrooms, covering Washington issues. Click here for more information.
See the rules document (linked at the top of this announcement) for more information.
Entry fees
We are slightly increasing entry fees this year to keep pace with inflation and internal costs, but you can save by entering early and by being an SPJ member. At least one journalist credited on the submission must be an SPJ member, or the submitting newsroom must be a newsroom member to secure the SPJ member price.
Early-bird SPJ members will pay $30 per entry (non-members pay $35) for submissions before Feb. 15; the fees rise between Feb. 16 and March 2 to $35 for SPJ members and $40 for non-members.
Note: Payment attempts during the first few days of the contest opening may be wonky, as we have switched to a new payment processor. If you have trouble paying your fees, please email spjnwcontest@gmail.com.
Timing
Unlike previous years, we will not be extending the entry deadline this year. You must have your submission entered by 8:59 p.m. on March 2. The entry platform will close after that point and you will not be able to enter any further submissions. There will be no exceptions.
The chapters plan to announce contest winners in April. SPJ Western Washington will honor Washington State winners at our annual awards ceremony in September; Oregon journalists, look to the Greater Oregon Pro chapter for information on your state’s celebrations. Find a list of award winners from previous years here.
Direct questions, concerns or suggestions to contest manager Becky Day at spjnwcontest@gmail.com.
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