Awards for Excellence categories

Student, apprentice and trainee categories

News journalism award
This award 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 award
This award 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 award
This award 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 award
This award 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

This award 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 award
This award 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.

Specialist award categories

Student project of the year award
This category is for the best student project (newspaper, magazine, website, broadcast package) submitted by accredited course providers or distance learners studying the Diploma in Journalism.

Course providers should submit a copy of the project or a web link/downloadable link. Entries must also include a supporting statement of no more than 400 words.

Apprentice of the year award
The apprentice of the year award will be presented to a nominated individual who was on an NCTJ journalism apprenticeship scheme in the 2021-22 academic year.

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.

Community News Project award
This award seeks to recognise the exceptional work done by community reporters recruited by the Community News Project.

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).

*To enter this award you must be a community reporter recruited as part of the Community News Project*

Innovation of the year award
In times of great change in the media industry, this award aims to encourage and recognise innovation in journalism education and training.

This award is open to NCTJ 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).

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.

Equality, diversity and inclusion award
This award recognises the outstanding work of individuals, educators and trainers, and employers who promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the media and training sector.

The award 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.

Chairman’s award
The chairman’s award celebrates a nominated individual’s outstanding contribution to high standards of journalism training.

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