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: November 29
December
Classical Association x Bloomsbury Competition – Closes December 1
The search is on for new, classically inspired female and non-binary writers! The winner will receive a contributor contract with Bloomsbury Publishing, a book prize from Bloomsbury, and a certificate.
Young Writer in Residence at Whitechapel Gallery – Closes December 4
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 programme at the gallery, and they will receive a residency fee of £500.
Imperial War Museums 14 – 18 NOW Legacy Fund – Closes December 6
A chance for young artists aged 14 – 18 to respond to specified themes using any medium for a public presentation in summer/autumn 2024. £13,000 commission includes £3,000 artist fee, £10,000 for artwork production, and £3,000 for community engagement.
American Association for Cancer Research June L Biedler for Cancer Journalism — Closes December 7
A free-to-enter awards stream for journalists spearheading investigations into cancer. Potential to win a $5,000 USD cash prize.
European Press Prize — Closes December 15
Four awards and a ‘special award’ are available, which gifts the winners €10,000 for a project that may enrich journalism.
NewsAwards 2025 — Closes December 15
Celebrating the best in news media print, technology and business innovation.
FluxusMuseum Prize for Experimental Video 2024 – Closes December 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. Three prizes up to £10,000 be awarded to the makers of the winning videos.
BBC Young Reporter Competition – Closed December 23
For 11-18-year-olds who want to tell and report their stories on the BBC.
January
The Hatchette Children’s Novel Awards – Closes January 4
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.
Sony World Photography Awards. Open Competition — Closes January 5
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.
Megacities Shortdocs – Closes January 15
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.
Amnesty Media Awards — Closes January 29
Amnesty Awards are open to UK journalists across various mediums and celebrate excellence in human rights journalism.
The Hillman Prizes – Closes January 30
Prizes of US$5,000 for investigative journalism must have been widely accessible to a US audience.
Whickers Film & TV Funding Award – Closes January 31
Funding of £80,000 and £15,000 for emerging filmmakers to direct a non-fiction film of 50 minutes or more.
Health for All Film Festival — Closes January 31
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.
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.
Publisher Podcast Award — Expected To Open January 8
Open to publishing companies, who publish English content in at least one other medium alongside the podcast.
Sutton Trust Alumni Awards 2024 – Expected To Open In 2024
Awards are available for candidates for outstanding achievements, social mobility activist, community champions and volunteer of the year.
TRT World Citizen Film Festival – Closed January 1
Up to $5,000 in prizes for humanitarian films, which explore global themes such as refugees, war and poverty.
Sony World Photography Awards (Youth/Open Categories) — Closed January 6
The winner in the open prize category will receive US$5,000.
The TV Collective Breakthrough Leaders — Closes January 9
TV professionals with eight years of experience who identify as Black, Asian, or an Ethnic minority, from a diverse range of scripted and non-scripted roles, can apply for this award scheme. Successful applicants will receive mentorship.
Student Publication Association Regional Awards – Closes January 9
Regional awards for members of a student publication in the UK or Ireland.
World Press Photo Digital Storytelling Contest — Closes January 10
The winners of Photo of the Year and Photo Story of the Year will receive €5,000.
Sony World Photography Awards (Professional Category) — Closes January 13
The winner in the professional category will receive a cash prize of $25,000 USD, and the open category winner will receive $5,000 USD.
The Sigma Awards for Data Journalism – Closed January 19
To reward exceptional data journalism across several categories, winning $5,000 and speaking opportunities in our online events.
The CIVIS Media Prize – Closed January 20
Up to €27,000 awards for work focused on migration, integration, diversity, and democratic culture.
ZEKE Award for Systemic Change – Closed January 21
Amateur photographers worldwide can compete for an award of up to $2,500 USD. All entries must have between six and 30 photographs related to a specific theme. The submission may also have a multimedia component to supplement the still images.
Association of British Science Writers — Closed January 31
Free to enter for ABSW members, with prizes of up to £1,000 for winners
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 – Closed February 1
An award for journalists aged 34 and younger 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.
IPG Independent Publishing Awards –Closed February 1
12 different awards to recognise the achievements of independent publishers in the UK and Ireland.
Dr Katherine Giles Award For The Best Popular Article By A Scientist Or Engineer – Closed February 1
Part of the ABSW awards and comes with a £600 prize for the winner. Free to enter.
GG2 Leadership Awards, Young Journalist of the Year – Closed February 3
Rewarding excellence in black, Asian and ethnic minority communities. Under 30s only.
University of Oxford Philip Geddes Memorial Prizes – Closes February 10
The Geddes Trust awards £6,500 of journalism prizes to University students in Hilary Term.
ICFJ Knight International Journalism Award – Closed February 12
Award for pioneering coverage or media innovation, with prizes of up to $10,000.
BBC World News Komla Dumor Award – Closed February 14
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.
UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize – Closed February 15
Up to $25,000 for journalists or organisations making significant contributions to press freedom, especially in high-risk areas.
The Hugo Young Award (Category 16 – 18) – Closed February 19
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) – Closed February 19
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.
Future Worlds Prize – Closed February 20
A prize for unpublished Fantasy and Science Fiction writers of colour. First prize offers a total of £4,000 in cash.
Travel Media Awards – Closed February 20
Open to all travel writers, broadcasters and photographers, the Awards is a true barometer of the travel media sector.
Northern Writers’ Awards – Closed February 22
Win a book deal and professional development, with advances and bursaries of £2-5,000 on offer.
The Golden Turtle Awards – Closed February 28
Individual prizes of up to $2,000 USD for projects showcasing ethical wildlife photography.
March
The 2024 New Poets Prize – Closes 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.
D&AD New Bloods Award – Closes March 20
This is a unique entry; this one is free because you fill in a survey. An opportunity for new creatives the opportunity to develop their skills and bolster their portfolios as they enter the industry. Winners of the Black Pencil accolade will share a prize fund of £2000.
Think Prize, The Royal Institute of Philosophy – Closes March 31
The Royal Institute of Philosophy has opened submissions for its inaugural essay competition for the ‘Think’ journal. Open to students aged 18 or below worldwide, 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.
Big Picture – Emerging Photographer Grant – Closed March 1
A call for photographers aged 18-25 to explore conservation, biodiversity and sustainability. There are two $2,500 grants available.
SPA Awards for Student Journalism – Closes March 1
Annual student journalism awards for young people part of a SPA-affiliated publication.
Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award – Closes March 3
Win $12,500 plus research privileges and office space in New York.
The Wincott Awards – Closes March 3
Under 30s can win £5,000 for business, economics and finance work. Entries are open for seven different awards.
International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) Photo Contest – Closes March 3
Submit 12 examples of your photojournalism to show the range of your work. Prize money of $20,000.
Washington Post Stern Fellowship – Closed March 10
A three-month fellowship for experienced journalists at the Washington Post.
Covering Climate Now Awards – Closed March 15
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 Channel 4 Writing for TV Awards – Closed March 17
Winner is offered the opportunity to work closely with Lime Pictures through a placement on the serial drama Hollyoaks, mentoring support and a bursary worth £3000.
Statistical Excellence in Journalism Award – Closed March 20
Four awards recognising the value of using statistics in journalism.
WeAreTheCity Rising Stars – Closed March 22
Recognising 100 talented women across all industries, who are below senior or management level.
The Private Eye Paul Foot Award – Closed March 28
£5,000 award to a journalist, group of journalists or publication for investigative and campaigning journalism.
Mary Mulvihill Award – Closed March 30
Awards €2,000 to a student at a HE institution in Ireland for work about science and industry. This year’s theme is ‘Energy’.
The Orwell Prizes for Journalism, Exposing Social Evils & Reporting Homelessness — Closes March 31
Three prizes for journalism that upholds the aims of George Orwell. All come with a cash prize of £3,000.
Orwell Prize for Journalism – Closes March 31
Awarded for sustained reportage or coverage across the year in any medium. A submission should consist of three articles.
Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs (DBACE) – Closes March 31
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.
Youth multimedia competition accepting entries – Closes March 31
Young people ages 10 to 24 can enter this contest. Finalists will receive a scholarship covering the fee for the camp, food, accommodations, and transport to and from the airport. Airfare is not included.
MHP Group: 30 to Watch 2023 – Closes March 31
The 30 To Watch awards recognise the best young talent in British journalism, from the people producing fresh policy thinking to those shedding new light on issues and broadening public engagement with global issues. Gold winners are selected for eight categories, from News to Culture, Entertainment & Lifestyle.
April
The Orwell Society/NUJ Young Journalist’s Award 2024 – Closes 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.
Student Social Mobility Awards – Closed April 3
An award for students showing great resilience, determination or initiative in their field.
Young Sports Journalist Competition 2023 – Closed April 7
The winner for each category will be published in Pitch magazine, featured on the website, and paid a £150 cash prize.
AGU’s Science Journalism Awards — Closed April 12
Multiple awards for outstanding science news reporting and science feature writing. Nominations are open now.
Evening Standard Stories Competition — Closed April 12
A story writing competition where winners will receive bespoke masterclasses, mentorship, and a chance to perform their story at the Evening Standard Stories Festival.
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.
Sundance Institute Documentary Fund – Closed April 18
A funding pool which supports work that has expressed the world in “creative, complex, beautiful, and provocative ways.” Applications from underrepresented communities are encouraged.
The Global Young Journalist Awards — Closed April 19
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.
April
Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award — Closed April 20
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.
Edinburgh TV Festival Ones to Watch 2023 — Closed April 23
An innovative award scheme gives television’s future best and brightest access to inspiring sessions, creative debate, unrivalled networking opportunities, and mentorship.
Dive Photo Guide United Nations World Oceans Day 2022 Photography Competition — Closed April 23
Six competitions are open for submission, accepting entries focusing on the challenges and the importance of the ocean and humankind’s relation to it.
IRN Awards for News Radio – Closed April 24
The student category for best news or sport is open to all.
Freelance Journalism Awards — Closed April 26
Run by Freelancing for Journalists, there are seven categories to enter, each with a £100 prize.
The Hugh Cudlipp Student Award — Closed April 26
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.
The BASW Social Work Journalism Awards – Closed April 28
The awards are for any UK journalist working in print or broadcast in the national, regional and specialist media, highlighting the obstacles faced by UK social workers. The award is split across three categories, each containing two awards – one for news reporting and another for in-depth features.
Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize – Closed April 28
Awards of $10,800 for excellent reporting on sustainable development, democracy and human rights worldwide.
May
The Allard Prize Photography Competition — Closed May 1
Win CAND1,000 for photography which focuses on anti-corruption and human rights.
The Royal Statistical Society, Statistical Excellence in Journalism Awards – Closed May 5
To reward excellence in using statistics to question, analyse and investigate the issues that affect society.
Kent Press & Broadcast Awards — Closed May 5
15 categories for journalism produced by individuals and websites in Kent.
National Diversity Awards — Closed May 12
Celebrates the excellent achievements of grassroots communities that tackle the issues in today’s society, recognising them for their dedication and hard work.
Conde Nast Traveller Future of Travel – Closed May 12
A chance for UK-based storytellers a platform to champion their local communities by driving important conversations around sustainability, inclusive and transformational travel. Invitations open to all, but applications are particularly welcomed from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities and people from low social economic backgrounds.
IPSE Freelancer Awards 2023 – Closed May 15
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.
Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award — Closed May 19
The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award recognises women professional photographers documenting important social, environmental, economic or cultural issues. One overall winner will receive £2,000 towards an ongoing project and one runner-up will receive £500.
Young Science Writer of the Year Award – Closed May 26
An opportunity for talented writers aged 14-16 years to submit an 800-word essay on any science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics subject.
Young Audio Awards — Closed May 28
A free-to-enter award for young people entering the radio industry. Supported by both commercial and BBC radio, you will have the chance to take on some great opportunities, such as hosting your own radio show on a national level, specialist workshops, radio studio tours, and opportunities to fund new broadcasting equipment.
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.
Piazza Grande Religion Journalism Award – Closed May 31
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.
June
Global Peace Photo Award — Closed June 4
Formerly known as The Alfred Fried Photography Award, photographers can win €10,000 for work showcasing human efforts for a peaceful world.
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.
Women in Film and Television Awards – Closed June 9
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.
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.
ConnectHER Film Festival – Closed June 15
$5,000 prizes for students under 25 who submit a film on global women’s issues.
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$900 and attend the award ceremony in Tokyo.
Prix Albert Londres Prize – Closed June 19
Three separate prizes for French-speaking journalists aged 40 or under. Includes prizes for print, book entries and broadcast.
DIG Awards, Video Category — Closed June 22
An award rewarding excellence in investigative reporting, giving filmmakers the chance to shine. Winners of the competition will be given a chance to win EUR15,000 to finish their project.
DIG Awards, Audio Category — Closed June 22
An award rewarding excellence in investigative reporting, giving audio storytellers a chance to showcase their talent. Winners of the competition will be given a chance to win EUR15,000 to finish their project.
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 as well as specific evidence of having lived or studied in east London.
Reporters d’Espoirs — Closed June 30
Prizes up to 2,500 EUR for solutions-based journalism projects which shine a light on the francophone world.
Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award for Young Science Journalist — Closed June 30
US$1,000 and expenses paid trip to ScienceWriters2021. Must be under 30, producing print/online science journalism.
Banff Centre Mountain Book Competition — Closes June 30
A total of US$20,000 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.
UK Social Enterprise Awards 2023 — Closed June 30
Fifteen awards to celebrate the contributions made by social enterprises addressing issues around diversity, inclusion, equity and justice.
July
WeAreTechWomen100 Awards – Closed July 6
Although this award focuses on celebrating women in tech, it also applies to technical journalism/production roles.
#Youth4Regions – Closed July 10
Travel and expenses covered for several EU press trips across 2021 for young students or journalists.
Innovate UK Discovery Innovators Awards – Closed July 10
Pioneering entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds will be awarded with a cash injection of £15k or £50k each. This will also include a bespoke business support package, coaching and mentoring from Innovate UK EDGE.
The Journalist’s Charity Wales Media Awards 2023 – Closed July 14
The awards recognise individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to journalism in Wales in both English and Welsh.
PLURAL+ UN Video Competition — Closes July 14
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.
Nature Writing Prize for Working Class Authors – Closed July 14
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.
DIG Awards, Pitch Category – Closes July 15
An award rewarding excellence in investigative reporting, giving filmmakers and audio storytellers the chance to shine. Winners of the competition will be given a chance to win EUR15,000 to finish their project.
International News Media Association 30 Under 30s – Closes July 15
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.
Rory Peck Award – Closes July 17
Four categories to enter here, to celebrate outstanding work produced by freelance journalists and filmmakers worldwide.
European Journalism Centre Climate Journalism Award -Closed July 17
Prizes of up to €2,000 EUR across five different categories of environmental journalism: data; storytelling and solutions; investigative reporting; visualisations and emerging talent.
National Geographic Travel Writing Competition – Closed July 24
Write 500 words on a standout travel experience for the chance to get published in NatGeo and win a trip across Greenland.
SRA Student Radio Awards — Closed July 28
Student Radio Awards for those involved with an SRA-affiliated station.
Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism – Closes 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.
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.
Watch Docs Human Rights in Film International Festival – Closed August 1
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.
Society of Editors Media Freedom Awards — Closed August 2
Categories that will recognise achievements across broadcast, national, regional and online media platforms.
International Women’s Film Festival – Closed August 7
A space for women to submit documentaries, fiction and animation addressing women’s rights and gender problems.
Ian Parry Scholarship – Closed August 8
Two awards of US$3,500 to help young photographers and photography students undertake a documentary project.
Free Press Awards – Closed August 15
Global awards for journalists who go to great lengths to ensure stories are told.
Asian Media Awards – Closed August 18
Dedicated to recognising Asian journalists across the media, who highlight race relations and human rights issues.
Nan Shepherd Prize – Closed August 25
A prize to recognise unpublished nature writers. The winner will receive a book deal with £10,000 advance and mentoring.
Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards – Closed August 27
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.
#Merky Books New Writers’ Prize – Closed August 29
Are you an unpublished writer aged 16-30? Send your manuscript and you could bag a publishing deal with #Merky Books.
Action Against Hunger Scholarship –Closed August 31
A scholarship for the photographers, content creators and videographers out there! This scholarship will award the winner a prize of 10,000 EUR while receiving mentorship and guidance to develop “multimedia language in the humanitarian field.”
Hostwriter Prize 2023 – Closed August 31
A grant of up to €6000 is available for projects supporting collaborative journalism. Two categories on offer, including The Story Prize. (3 x €1000) and The Pitch Prize (2 x €1500).
The Radio Academy 30 Under 30 – Closed August 31
An annual competition for the 30 best young talents in radio and audio.
September
Forbes 30 Under 30 — Closed September 1
An award celebrating young people changing the world. Includes a vast array of application categories, including arts, science and social impact to name a few.
Travel Connection Awards 12 Awards of Christmas – Closed September 22
Open to everyone, these awards home in on the hard work accomplished by people working in the travel industry. Twelve categories on offer, including best mentor, unsung hero, and many more!
The British Journalism Awards 2023 – Closed September 28
An award celebrating the best public interest journalism produced for a UK audience. The British Journalism Awards is waiving the entry fee under certain circumstances in order to encourage greater diversity.
Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust Award 2023 – Closed September 30
Bring your sense of adventure for this opportunity. This is a chance to write for The Gatliff Trust and Scottish Islands Explorer magazine, bundled with a £1000 prize. Entrants must be under 30 years old, and must write a 1250-word winning article on a topic associated with, but not on, Herbert Gatliff.
Write to End Violence Against Women Bursary – 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.
Postgrad.com Solutions Study Bursaries – Closed September 30
Up to £500 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.
October
Fetisov Journalism Awards – Closed October 1
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.
Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 – Closed October 1
For photographers under 18. Submissions of your best travel images – and winners can receive up to £500.
Professional Excellence Prizes for Foreign Journalists – Closed October 1
From the Club of Foreign Press Correspondents – for USA-based journalists working in various media formats. Winners will receive an award of excellence and $2,000-$5,000.
Foreign Press Correspondents USA Scholarship Program – Closed October 1
This annual scholarship supports foreign journalists studying in the USA to enhance their skillsets through graduate-level programs. Applicants must meet their visa requirements prior to submitting their application.
W&A Working-Class Writers’ Prize – Closed October 2
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.
BCTJ Awards – Closed October 5
Open to students on a BCTJ-accredited course.
The Georgina Henry Award for Digital Innovation – Closed October 15
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.
Global Resilience Partnership Social Media Competition – Closed October 16
Students and professionals can enter a climate change social media contest and compete for S$1,000 USD. Entries can include a series of photos or 30 to 60-second short films, interviews, documentaries, poems or songs.
The Book Edit Writer’s Prize – Closed October 23
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.
October
Iceland Writer’s Retreat Scholarship – Closed October 31
Partial and full funding are available on offer here for writers in financial need. Applicants must demonstrate a passion for refining their craft.
International Labour Organisation Global Media Competition 2023 – Closed October 31
$1,200 prize for professional journalists and $500 for students on labour migration.
November
Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024 – Closed November 1
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.
Knowmad Short Film Festival – Closed November 2
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.
NCTJ Awards for Excellence – Closed November 3
Open to trainees and students on an NCTJ course and community reporters.
International Sport Press Association 2023 Sport Media Awards – Closed November 4
An international competition seeking out the best sports writing, photography, audio and video journalists. 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.
True Story Award – Closed November 5
An international contest, where 36 entrants will be invited to attend an award ceremony in May 2024 in Bern, Switzerland. The three best texts will be awarded $27,609 USD, $16,565 USD and $11,043 USD respectively.
Philip Meyer Journalism Award – Closed November 10
A contest that recognises the best social research journalism, the first place prize is $500, second is $300 and third is $200. Only free for students.
Pulitzer Centre Letter Writing Contest 2023 – Closed November 12
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 $100 USD and your letter will be published on the Pulitzer Center website.
November
Happiful Poetry Prize 2024 – Closed November 20
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.
BBC Radio 4’s Journey of a Lifetime – Closed until 2024
A £5,000 grant for an aspiring journalist to make the journey of a lifetime and make a radio documentary on it.
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:
- BBC Radio 4 Today Programme Student Journalism Awards
- Magazine Academy Awards
- 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