Missed the Deadline? You Don't Have to Miss Out

Late Entries for the NLGJA Journalism Awards will be Accepted until Wednesday, May 7
It's not too late. If you weren't able to meet the awards submission deadline, there's still time. Late entries for the 2014 Excellence in Journalism Awards and The Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award will be accepted until 11:59pm PDT Wednesday, May 7. 

To submit your late entry, include a $40 late-entry processing fee. 

The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) Excellence in Journalism Awards recognize outstanding coverage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in print news, print feature, print opinion/editorial, television, radio, online, photojournalism and student journalism. 

NLGJA is now accepting submissions for its 2014 Excellence in Journalism Awards. Only work that was published in 2013 is eligible and submissions are due Thursday, May 1, 2014. For online submission forms, click here entries cost $25 for members and $40 for non members.

Award Categories

  • NLGJA Journalist of the Year Award
  • Sarah Pettit Memorial Award for Excellence in LGBT Media
  • Excellence in Student Journalism Award
  • Excellence in News Writing Award
  • Excellence in Feature Writing Award
  • Excellence in Opinion/Editorial Writing Award
  • Excellence in Online Journalism Award
  • Excellence in Blogging Award
  • Excellence in Multimedia Award
  • Excellence in Network Television Award
  • Excellence in Local Television Award
  • Excellence in Radio Award
  • Excellence in Photojournalism Award
  • Excellence in HIV/AIDS Coverage Award

Prizes

Winners will be recognized August 21, 2014, in Chicago at the NLGJA Awards Reception. Individuals should receive notification of competition results during the week of June 30, 2014. 

Entry Fees and Payment

  • $25 per entry for current NLGJA members, free for student members.
  • $40 per entry for non-members, $15 for student non-members. Join today at nlgja.org to receive the special member rates.
  • Applicants may submit as many entries as they wish in one or more catigories, but each must be accompanied by a seperate entry fee.
  • American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted on the entry website.
  • No refunds will be issued.

General Rules & Requirements

  • The awards recognize workin 2013. Initial publication/broadcast must have occurred between in 2013.
  • Entries must arrive by Thursday, May 1, 2014.
  • NLGJA national officers and directors and those individuals directly involved in the administration and/or selection of the awards are ineligible.
  • Contestants may enter as many categories as desired, and may submit as many entries per category as desired. Each entry requires a separate entry fee.
  • Entries must be accompanied by the correct entry fee. Entries will not be processed and submitted to the judges until payment is received. There is no entry fee for student members entering the student journalism category and a reduced rate of $15 for all other students.
  • Each entry may carry up to five (5) individuals' names, except in the NLGJA Journalist of the Year Award category and the Sarah Pettit Memorial Award for Excellence in LGBT Media category. These categories recognize the accomplishments of an individual journalist.
  • Please ensure that the name of each entrant is spelled correctly as they should appear on certificates, press releases, etc.
  • Entries for each category must be submitted electronically. Exceptions may be made based on individual circumstances, please contact mrose@nlgja.org for details in advance of May 1, 2014. Print/online work may be submitted as a URL or as a PDF document. Broadcast categories may be submitted as a URL or uploaded file. 
  • If exceptions are made, all materials for application submitted by mail require five (5) copies. Please label each copy with your name, phone number and e-mail address and form reference number.
  • Entries may be accompanied by a cover letter of no more than 250 words explaining the context, journalistic merit or impact of the submission. Please submit electronically through the application.
  • Judges have the right to disqualify entries that do not conform to the contest guidelines or that do not meet the deadline. Entrants will not be notified of such disqualification nor will entry fees be refunded.
  • Judges have the right to transfer entries from one category to another based on their reading of the contest guidelines. Entrants will not be notified of such a transfer prior to the announcement of awards.
  • Judges have the right to withhold an award if they determine that no entries merit recognition.
  • Entries and accompanying materials submitted electronically or by mail will not be returned.
  • Judging of Entries

    A diverse committee of journalism professionals will select winners. The decision of the judges is final.


    Entry Submisssion Guidelines by Catigory

    Writing Submissions

    Submit PDFs or URLs on the entry website.

    Submissions must be a single story or closely related set of stories, such as a series or package on a single subject.

    Television Submissions

    Electronic submissions are required. Contact mrose@nlgja.org for large file guidelines.

    Submissions must be a single story or closely related set of stories, such as a series or package on a single subject.

    Network vs. Local Television: Entries are considered “Network Television” if they are produced for a national audience, whether distributed by network, cable or syndication. Entries are considered “Local Television” if they are first broadcast on a single station or network affiliate. 

    Radio Submissions

    Electronic submissions are required. Contact mrose@nlgja.org for large file guidelines.

    Submissions must be a single story or closely related set of stories, such as a series or package on a single subject.

    NOTE: Podcasts must be entered into the online or blogging category.

    Blog Submissions

    This category honors creative use of the internet to deliver LGBT content, and is restricted to material produced exclusively for the internet. Entries must be from an independent outlet and not part of a large media outlet. Sites solely promoting political advocacy are ineligible, though opinion work is acceptable.

    Submissions must be a single story or closely related set of stories, such as a series or package on a single subject. Submit a working URL on the entry website.

    Online Submission

    This category honors creative use of the internet to deliver LGBT content, and is restricted to material produced exclusively for the internet. Sites solely promoting political advocacy are ineligible, though opinion work is acceptable.

    Submissions must be a single story or closely related set of stories, such as a series or package on a single subject. Submit a working URL on the entry website.

    Multimedia Submissions

    This category honors use of the internet, video, slide show, or other media to deliver LGBT content, and is restricted to material expressed using more than one media. Examples include a mainstream newspaper's LGBT-themed section, or online news outlet, etc. Sites solely promoting political advocacy are ineligible, though opinion work is acceptable.

    Submissions must be a single story or closely related set of stories, such as a series or package on a single subject. Submit a working URL on the entry website.

    Electronic submissions are required. Contact mrose@nlgja.org for large file guidelines.

    Photojournalism Submissions

    Submit PDFs or image files that are compatible across multiple operating system platforms (JPEG or TIFF, for instance). You may include photo captions on the PDF or attach a separate file with captions if images are submitted as image files. 

    Submissions must be a single image or closely related set of images, such as a series or package on a single subject.

    Excellence in Student Journalism Award

    This category recognizes outstanding work done by a student for a campus or student news organization. Unpublished manuscripts, classroom exercises and unaired broadcasts do not qualify.

    Submissions must follow the appropriate entry format rules as described above for writing, TV, radio, online or photojournalism.

    NLGJA Journalist of the Year Award

    This category honors an LGBT journalist whose exceptional abilities, integrity and distinctive work brought honor to the profession within the past year. This award is not restricted to coverage of LGBT issues.

    Entries should include no more than five (5) pieces of the individual's body of work and/or a statement of personal accomplishment.

    Submissions must follow the appropriate entry format rules as described above for writing, TV, radio, online or photojournalism.

    Sarah Pettit Memorial Award for Excellence in LGBT Media

    This is a body of work award recognizing the contributions of an individual journalist.

    The body of work may be represented by no more than five (5) pieces.

    Submissions must follow the appropriate entry format rules as described above for writing, TV, radio, online or photojournalism.

    Excellence in HIV/AIDS Coverage Award

    This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of HIV/AIDS.

    Submissions must follow the appropriate entry format rules as described above for writing, TV, radio, online or photojournalism.

     

    Please contact Matthew Rose at mrose@nlgja.org or (202) 588 – 9888 with any questions.