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The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by the Financial Times, can highlight any form of diversity and inclusion. Nominations can be for:

• individuals who have created a diverse and inclusive work environment by inspiring and motivating others to achieve outstanding success
   
• education and training providers that have been proactive through outreach programmes and unique initiatives that have made a difference and supported an inclusive and engaging environment
   
• employers and media organisations that have championed diversity and promoted inclusion within their own workforce and/or for the industry

Entrants should provide a brief description of why the nominee is worthy of recognition and can nominate themselves or others.

The judges will look for evidence of success in making a measurable difference to diversity in journalism. They will consider the following in the shortlisting process and in making their choice of winner:

• inventiveness, inspiration, commitment and motivation
• impactful initiatives that demonstrate a sustained change in the workplace or industry
• significant benefits or results on any scale

The award is part of the NCTJ’s ambitious strategy to change and enhance the industry’s long-established accreditation scheme and the way the charity and employers work together with the best universities, colleges and independent providers in the UK.

The Innovation of the Year Award recognises the unique contribution NCTJ centres make to the education and training of journalists on accredited courses. It is open to centres that have improved upon – or extended beyond – current expectations of best practice in education and training.

Entries can cover any new education and/or training initiative relating to journalism training and education (for example, a new approach to teaching and learning, curriculum development, apprenticeships, diversity, skills, digital developments, regulation and ethics, professional development or strategy).

Entrants should provide brief descriptions (no more than 250 words per section) of their innovations under the following headings:

• Aims and objectives of the innovation

• An overview of the innovation and why it was pioneering or ground breaking during the year to make it worthy of this award

• The leader of the innovation and other team members, if any, involved  

• The challenges that had to be overcome for successful implementation 

• The achievements or improvements made 

• Benefits and any positive impact on staff and/or students

The judges will look for evidence of how the innovation has been developed and applied to improve performance, operational effectiveness or learners’ experience, and brought something new to journalism education and training. They will consider the following in the shortlisting process and in making their choice of the winner:

• Originality
• Improvements in best practice
• Significant benefits or impacts

Entrants should submit three reports (in print, broadcast and/or online format) to illustrate their qualities as a journalist, plus a supporting statement explaining the significance of each report (no more than 200 words in total for all three stories).

In choosing the winners, the judges will consider:

• Style of writing/delivery
• Story construction and structure
• Good use of quotes/clips
• Human interest potential
• Public service/audience value
• Evidence of in-depth interview techniques
• The range and variety of stories submitted 

The award will go to the entrant who has delivered more than a standard after-match analysis from the team manager and who has shown a willingness to ask revealing questions and developed the story.

Entrants should submit three reports (in print, broadcast and/or online), 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.

The judges will consider a number of elements including the work that went into getting the story, the number of sources used and reader/audience interest in the copy. In choosing the winners, the judges will consider:

• Style of writing/delivery
• Story construction and structure
• Good use of quotes/clips
• Human interest potential
• Evidence of strong sporting knowledge
• Evidence of in-depth interview techniques
• The range and variety of sports stories submitted 

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).

Judges will consider a range of elements, including:

• Audience interest in the story or image
• Evidence of how the scoop was obtained
• Content
• Style of writing / delivery
• Human interest potential
• Public service value

Entrants should submit two features (written or broadcast) and a supporting statement of no more than 200 words explaining the significance of both.

Judges will consider a range of elements, including:

• Style of writing/delivery
• Construction and structure
• Human interest potential
• Public service/audience value
• Originality
• Content
• Evidence of research and in-depth interview techniques 

Entrants should submit one episode and a supporting statement of no more than 200 words explaining the significance of both.

The podcast can be created by more than one person and can be submitted as a joint enterprise or project.

Judges will consider a range of elements, including:

• Style of delivery
• Construction and structure
• Human interest potential
• Originality
• Content
• Evidence of in-depth interview techniques

Entrants should submit one piece of data journalism and a supporting statement of no more than 200 words explaining the significance of the work.

Judges will consider a range of elements, including:

• Style of writing/delivery
• Construction and structure
• Human interest potential
• Public service/audience value
• Visualisation of data
• Depth of investigation and interrogation of data
• Originality

In choosing the winning publication, judges will consider:

• innovative and original ideas
• quality content and presentation
• student involvement
• the level of reader/user engagement it provides

Course providers should email the entry form with a copy of the project or a web link/downloadable link. The entry form must include a supporting statement of no more than 400 words that should explain:

• how the project came about
• the key aims of the project
• the level of success achieved
• the facts and figures setting out the numbers of students involved

Launched in 2019 and sponsored by Meta, this award seeks to recognise the exceptional work done by community reporters recruited by the Community News Project.

A partnership between the NCTJ, Meta and regional publishers, the project was launched in 2019. It has enabled the hiring of 83 trainee reporters to focus on community news coverage.

Entrants should submit two pieces of published journalism (audio or video entries are permitted), with a supporting statement explaining the significance of their work (200 words max).

In choosing the winner, judges will consider:

• The degree to which the work engages relevant community issues
• The quality and impact of reporting
• Evidence of a range of journalistic skills
• Evidence of multi-sourcing
• Human interest potential

*Please note - to enter you must be a community reporter recruited as part of the Community News Project*

Nominations are invited from the apprentices' employers and tutors, in no more than 500 words, describing why the individual is worthy of the award. Nominations should include a description of outstanding professional progress, practical application, a positive approach to employment and training, and excellent personal qualities.

Nominations are invited, in no more than 500 words, describing why the individual is worthy of this award. He or she could be an editor, a tutor or anyone who has made a meaningful impact on the training of journalists.