Student and trainee/apprentice categories
News journalism awards
These awards will go to the student and trainee/apprentice journalists who demonstrate all-around qualities in newsgathering and reporting. The judges will consider a number of elements including the work that went into getting the story, the number of sources used and audience interest.
Entrants should submit three reports (in any format) plus a supporting statement explaining the significance of each report (no more than 200 words in total for all three stories).
Sports journalism awards
These awards will go to the student and trainee/apprentice journalists who demonstrate an all-round knowledge of sports journalism.
The winners will have delivered more than a standard after-match analysis from the team manager and will have shown a willingness to ask revealing questions and developed the story.
Entrants should submit three reports (in any format), along with a supporting statement explaining the significance of each report (no more than 200 words in total for all three reports). Ideally, one should be a backgrounder, feature or profile piece.
Top scoop awards
These awards will go to the single story, picture or video produced by a student and trainee/apprentice journalist which, in the opinion of the judges, is the scoop of the year.
Entrants should submit their chosen story/image/video plus a supporting statement explaining the work that went into landing the scoop and details of its significance (no more than 200 words).
Features awards
These awards will identify the best student and trainee/apprentice feature journalist. Judges will be looking for a feature or news backgrounder (not an over-written news story) that gets to the heart of an issue and is well written or produced.
Entrants should submit two features (written or broadcast) and a supporting statement of no more than 200 words explaining the significance of both.
Data journalism awards
These awards will recognise the skills in visualising data, reporting stories from data sets and Freedom of Information requests and developing human interest angles.
Entrants should submit one piece of data journalism and a supporting statement of no more than 200 words explaining the significance of the work.
Podcast journalism awards
These awards will identify the best student and trainee/apprentice journalism podcast. Judges will be looking for a podcast that gets to the heart of an issue and is well produced.
Entrants should submit one episode and a supporting statement of no more than 200 words explaining the significance of both.
The podcast can be submitted as a joint enterprise or project.
Videojournalism awards
These awards will go to the student and trainee/apprentice journalists who demonstrate all-round skills in videojournalism.
The judges will be looking for candidates who have exercised good editorial judgement, demonstrated technical skills and shown careful consideration for the intended platform and audience. The winning entries will demonstrate creativity, be engaging and make the most of the medium of video.
Entrants should submit one piece of videojournalism and a supporting statement of no more than 200 words explaining the significance of the work.
The Andrew Norfolk Investigative Journalism Award
About the Award
The Andrew Norfolk Investigative Journalism Award has been established by The Times in partnership with the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) to honour the legacy of Andrew Norfolk, one of Britain’s most respected investigative reporters.
Andrew began his career as an NCTJ trainee on the Scarborough Evening News. Over three decades, his commitment to public-interest journalism and his relentless pursuit of the truth and justice changed the landscape of British investigative reporting.
His groundbreaking investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham exposed a decade-long cover-up that affected more than 1,400 girls. The story required four years of determination, empathy, and courage, skills Andrew credited to the solid foundation he gained through his NCTJ training.
The award will give one exceptional trainee journalist the opportunity to follow in Andrew’s footsteps with a one-year placement in the investigations team at The Times.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism at gold standard.
- Applicants must have no more than two years’ experience working in journalism.
- Applicants should demonstrate:
- A passion for investigative journalism.
- The tenacity to pursue complex stories.
- Empathy and sensitivity in dealing with sources and vulnerable people.
- High ethical standards.
- Strong technical skills in reporting (including shorthand, media law, and public affairs knowledge).
You will be asked to submit:
- A personal statement (max 500 words) explaining your interest in investigative journalism, why Andrew Norfolk’s legacy inspires you, and how you would make use of this opportunity.
- A CV outlining your training, experience, and achievements.
- A short pitch for an investigation you’d love to work on at The Times
- You may also submit examples of work and a reference, if you have one
Judging criteria
Applications will be assessed by a panel from The Times. Judges will be looking for:
- Investigative potential: evidence of persistence, curiosity, and determination to uncover the truth.
- Ethical awareness: sensitivity in dealing with victims, vulnerable sources, and complex issues.
- Storytelling skills: clarity, accuracy, and flair in writing or multimedia reporting.
- Technical competence: shorthand, law, and public affairs knowledge, and ability to use these in investigations.
- Commitment to Andrew Norfolk’s values: courage, empathy, and dedication to journalism in the public interest.
