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SEJ Awards: 2025 Rules

1. NAME AND PURPOSE: The Society of Environmental Journalists’ (SEJ) Awards for Reporting on the Environment recognize the most outstanding journalism on environmental subjects produced each year. The awards are intended to honor excellence and rigor in reporting and the role of journalism in advancing public understanding of environmental issues.

2. GOVERNANCE: The SEJ Awards program is governed by the SEJ Board of Directors and an appointed Awards Committee, in coordination with the SEJ Awards Director.

  • Committee Appointment: At its annual January meeting, SEJ’s Board of Directors will appoint an Awards Committee consisting of no fewer than three members and a non-voting board liaison–each of whom will serve a one-year term. The Committee must consist of an odd number of voting members to avoid tied votes. If a mid-year vacancy occurs, the Board shall appoint a replacement.
  • Committee Responsibilities: The Awards Committee, in partnership with SEJ awards personnel, is responsible for:
    • Establishing, amending and interpreting the contest rules
    • Appointing screeners and judging panels
    • Overseeing the administration and integrity of the contest
  • Judging Panels: Judging panels are appointed by the Awards Committee and SEJ awards personnel. These panels are responsible for selecting place-winners among entries that meet the contest’s eligibility requirements. Members of the SEJ Board, SEJ staff, Awards Committee and awards personnel do not participate in the selection of winners.
  • Screeners: Members of the Awards Committee may serve as screeners, tasked with reviewing submissions and narrowing the field of entries prior to judging.
  • Day-to-Day Administration: SEJ staff members and awards personnel are responsible for managing all daily operations of the contest, in consultation with the Awards Committee.

3. PRIZES: Awards will be granted in each contest category as follows:

  • First Place: $500, a trophy and an electronic winner’s banner
  • Second Place: $250 and an electronic winner’s banner
  • Third Place and Honorable Mentions: Electronic winner’s banner

All place-winners and honorable mentions will also receive discounted registration to SEJ’s annual conference.

  • Team Entries: Cash awards are limited to two individuals per winning team. Prize recipients are free to distribute their winnings at their discretion.
  • Payment Process: All monetary awards will be issued through Bill.com, SEJ’s approved payment platform.
  • Trophies: SEJ will provide up to two trophies per winning team. Additional trophies may be purchased upon request.

4. ELIGIBLE ENTRANTS: The SEJ Awards are open to all journalists with the following exceptions:

  • Screeners: Individuals serving as screeners may submit entries, but not in the category they are screening.
  • Judges: Individuals serving as judges may submit entries, but not in the category they are judging.
  • Ineligible to Enter:
    • Members of the SEJ Board of Directors
    • Members of the Awards Committee
    • SEJ staff and awards personnel
  • Student Category Eligibility:
    • Entrants must have been enrolled in university, college or high school at the time the submitted work was published or aired.
    • Students whose byline is shared with a non-student are not eligible.

5. ELIGIBLE SUBJECTS: To be eligible for consideration, entries must be primarily focused on an environmental topic. Entrants are responsible for reviewing the individual category descriptions to ensure their submission aligns with subject matter expectations. The SEJ Awards Committee retains final authority in determining whether an entry meets the definition of environmental journalism as required for contest eligibility.

6. ELIGIBLE ENTRIES: To be eligible for submission, entries must meet the following criteria:

General Requirements

  • Entries must be original journalism published or broadcast in a media outlet accessible to the general public, including cable and online platforms. 
  • The original publication or air date must fall within the designated contest period: May 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025 with the exception of the Rachel Carson Environmental Book Award category (see below). 
  • Series that begin or end within the contest period are eligible in their entirety but may only be submitted to one contest year. A maximum of five parts may be included. Related stories published or aired on the same day will count as one story for purposes of story limit. 
  • Only entries published or aired by the original media outlet are eligible; republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.

Student Entries

  • Student entries must be published or aired between May 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025, in a media outlet accessible to the general public, including campus media. 
  • Work produced during internships or part-time jobs is eligible. 
  • Class assignments that were not published, broadcast or made publicly accessible are not eligible. Work produced by SEJ is not eligible.

Rachel Carson Environment Book Entries 

  • Books must have an original copyright date during the calendar year directly preceding the contest deadline, i.e., January 1 - December 31, 2024, for the September 2, 2025 deadline. 
  • Books translated into English and published for the first time during the contest year, but previously released in another language, are eligible. 
  • Republished versions are not eligible. 

7. COVER LETTER REQUIREMENT: 

  • A cover letter is mandatory for all entries. It may be submitted by the entrant or another individual familiar with the work. 
  • The letter should provide context to the judges, such as challenges faced by the reporter, the impact of the story, or other relevant background. 
  • Cover letters may be typed or pasted directly into the entry form or uploaded as a separate file. 

8. NON-ENGLISH ENTRIES: Entries submitted in languages other than English must be accompanied by a complete and accurate English translation. The translation must reflect the full content of the original work to allow a fair evaluation by the judges. 

9. GROUP ENTRIES: Entries may be submitted by individuals or a group of individuals, with the following provisions:

  • Group entries are permitted in all categories except Beat Reporting, which is limited to an individual journalist with a small supporting team of no more than three contributors (e.g., photographer, graphic artist or video team). 
  • Only individuals or teams of individuals may enter. Organizations (publications, stations, websites, programs or networks) may not enter or submit on behalf of individuals. While media organizations cannot enter, award coordinators are permitted to submit entries on behalf of reporters.

Contributor Eligibility

  • All reporters with bylines must be included in the group entry.
  • In all categories except Beat Reporting and the Rachel Carson Environmental Book Award, contributors who played a significant role in the reporting but were not given bylines (e.g., photographers, graphic designers, researchers) may also be listed as part of the reporting team.

Distribution of Awards

  • In the event that a group entry is selected for a monetary prize, payment will be issued to either the primary reporter identified during the submission process, or if preferred, to the media outlet for internal distribution.
    • The designation of a primary reporter is for administrative purposes only and does not imply a special journalistic role.
  • SEJ reserves the right, for budgetary or logistical reasons, to limit the number of individual certificates, trophies or other award materials distributed to members of a winning group.

10. CATEGORIES: The categories for the contest are as follows:

Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting: Recognizes an investigative report or series on a single environmental topic, originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025.

Qualifying investigative entries must demonstrate the use of journalistic skills and techniques to uncover facts not otherwise available to the public. Judges will be asked to consider the impact and results of the reporting.

Entry Guidelines

  • Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.
  • Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible.
    • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
    • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

  • Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.
  • TV and Audio Entries
    • Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
    • National networks in the U.S. and internationally
    • Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets
    • Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

  • Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.
  • TV and Audio Entries
    • Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
    • National networks in the U.S. and internationally
    • Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets
    • Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

 

Outstanding Beat Reporting: Recognizes three to five broadcasts, published news reports or commentary pieces covering either a wide range of environmental topics or multiple aspects of a single environmental topic originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025.

Entry Guidelines

  • Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.
  • Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible.
    • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
    • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

  • Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.
  • TV and Audio Entries
    • Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
    • National networks in the U.S. and internationally
    • Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets
    • Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

  • Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.
  • TV and Audio Entries
    • Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
    • National networks in the U.S. and internationally
    • Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets
    • Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

 

Outstanding Explanatory Reporting: Recognizes a story, series or occasional series that illuminates a significant, complex environmental subject originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025.

Entry Guidelines

  • Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.
  • Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible.
    • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
    • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

  • Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.
  • TV and Audio Entries
    • Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
    • National networks in the U.S. and internationally
    • Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets
    • Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

  • Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.
  • TV and Audio Entries
    • Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
    • National networks in the U.S. and internationally
    • Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets
    • Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

 

Outstanding Feature Story: Recognizes a single feature story centered on an environmental topic, with a strong emphasis on storytelling originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025.

Entry Guidelines

  • Entry must be a single story. Multi-part stories are not permitted.
  • Entry must not be directly tied to a recent news event.
  • Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible.
    • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
    • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

  • Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.
  • TV and Audio Entries
    • Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
    • National networks in the U.S. and internationally
    • Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets
    • Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

  • Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.
  • TV and Audio Entries
    • Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
    • National networks in the U.S. and internationally
    • Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets
    • Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

 

Outstanding Student Reporting: Recognizes an environmental story or series produced by a student or group of students enrolled in a university, college or high school at the time of production. The goal is to spotlight emerging talent and journalistic excellence in environmental reporting by students.

Entry Guidelines

  • Entries must have been published, aired or otherwise made publicly accessible between May 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025.
  • Entries must appear in a media outlet accessible to the general public, including campus media. 
  • Work produced during internships or student-held part-time jobs is eligible. 
  • Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published on the same day count as one story. 
  • Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes.

Eligibility

  • Class assignments not published, posted or broadcast to the public aren't eligible.
  • Entries with bylines shared with non-students are not eligible
  • Work produced in post-graduate internships is not eligible.
  • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
  • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.
     

Rachel Carson Environment Book Award: Recognizes a nonfiction book addressing an environmental issue of local, national or global significance. The book should demonstrate excellence in environmental storytelling, reporting or analysis.

Entry Guidelines

  • Published books must have a digital version to enter, such as an accessible ebook or PDF. Do not submit or send physical, bound books.

Eligibility

  • Books must have an original copyright date in 2024 and must be publicly available to the general public.
  • Books translated into English and published for the first time during the contest year are eligible. Photojournalism books that tell a clear environmental story through imagery and text are eligible.
  • Republished books are not eligible, even if substantially revised, updated or altered. Memoirs and picture books are not eligible. Proofing copies are not eligible.

11. MULTIPLE ENTRIES: Individuals or groups may submit multiple entries to the contest, whether in the same category or across different categories. Each entry must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted as a separate entry, accompanied by the appropriate entry fee at the time of submission. Duplicate entries are not permitted. A story or series may only be submitted once per contest cycle.

12. ENTRY FEE: Entry fees vary based on membership status, student status and country of residence. All fees are non-refundable, and each entry must be accompanied by its own entry fee.

SEJ Members

  • $45 per entry if submitted by September 2, 2025
  • $90 per entry if submitted between September 3-16, 2025

To qualify for the member rate, a current SEJ member in good standing must have a byline or hold a significant role in the entry. Members entering for nonmembers must choose the following at the payment selection: I am a member entering for a nonmember. Misuse of member status may delay processing.

Student Members

  • Free if submitted by September 2, 2025
  • $25 per entry if submitted between September 3-16, 2025

Student Nonmembers

  • $25 per entry if submitted by September 2, 2025
  • $50 per entry if submitted between September 3-16, 2025

Journalists Residing in Low-Middle Income Countries

  • $10 per entry if submitted by September 2, 2025
  • $20 per entry if submitted between September 3-16, 2025

Eligibility is based on the World Bank’s country classifications. Journalists must reside and work in the qualifying country to be eligible. Journalists reporting in or on these regions but residing in high-income countries do not qualify.

Nonmembers

  • $110 per entry if submitted by September 2, 2025
  • $220 per entry if submitted between September 3-16, 2025

Group or team entries pay the same fee as individual entries.

SEJ Membership and Rate Eligibility
Nonmembers who wish to join SEJ to receive the member rate must:

  • Apply for membership and pay discounted first-year dues ($40) prior to entering.
  • If membership is declined, membership dues will be refunded, and entrants will be billed the difference between the member and nonmember entry fee.

Membership dues cannot be applied to contest fees.

Financial Assistance
If membership dues or awards fees pose a barrier, current SEJ members may request a fee waiver through the SEJ Members in Need Fund. Journalists interested in supporting fellow journalists are encouraged to make a gift to the fund.

13. ENTRY DEADLINE: All entries must be submitted by the following deadlines:

Standard Deadline

  • September 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
  • All online forms be completed by this time

Late Deadline

  • September 16, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
  • Online entries must be completed by this time

Late entries will be accepted only if submitted by the dates above, and applicable late fees (double the entry fee) must be paid at the time of submission.

14. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Entrants must adhere to the following guidelines when submitting materials. All entries must reflect the original version of the work as it was aired, published or posted, and must remain accessible throughout the judging period.

  • Online and Broadcast Entries
    • Entries may be submitted as viable website links to stories on a website maintained by the entrant or publisher of the original work.
    • For newswires that do not maintain hosted websites, computer printouts may be submitted as PDFs.
    • For online entries, content must reflect the version of the work as it appeared on or before July 31, 2025.
    • Television and audio entries must include links that provide high-quality visual and/or audio playback. All broadcast entries must be accompanied by a complete transcript.
  • Print Entries
    • Print stories may be submitted as viable website links where the entry is viewable on a website maintained by the entrant or publisher of the original work, or by uploading a PDF file.
    • All PDFs must include headlines, graphics and photos (if applicable) as they appeared in the published version.
  • Book Entries
    • Books must be submitted in a digital format (e.g, e-books, PDFs). For e-book entries, instructions to access the publication must be provided, along with any costs associated with access.
    • Proofing copies, computer printouts and republished editions are not permitted.

In all cases, if upload or link submission is not possible due to a technical issue or limitation, entrants should complete the contact form.

15. COMPLETENESS OF ENTRY: An entry will be considered complete and eligible for judging only if it meets all of the following requirements:

  1. Compliance with all contest rules
  2. Payment of the correct entry fee
  3. Submission of a completed electronic entry form, including functioning links or uploaded files of all pertinent stories or productions
  4. The entry does not contain any work previously submitted

In all cases, if upload or link submission is not possible due to a technical issue or limitation, entrants should complete the contact form.

In some cases, SEJ may request supporting documentation to confirm an entrant’s eligibility for the category in which they are submitting.

16. INCOMPLETE OR NON-COMPLYING ENTRIES: The Awards Director, SEJ Awards Committee or the Committee Chair or Co-Chairs reserve the right to disqualify entries that are:

  • Incomplete
  • Illegible (e.g., exceptionally small type, poor-quality scans)
  • Non-compliant with contest rules

In some cases, if an entry is determined to be substantially, but not fully complete, the Awards Director or Awards Committee may contact the entrant to allow additional time to provide the missing materials after the standard entry deadline.

Entry fees will not be refunded to disqualified entrants.

17. DISCLOSURE: All entrants are required to disclose the following on the entry forms:

  • Any material corrections or retractions issued after the work was originally published or aired
  • Any conflicts of interest or circumstances that may reasonably create the appearance of a conflict of interest

Failure to make these disclosures may result in disqualification.

18. CATEGORY SWITCHES: The SEJ Awards Committee and/or Awards Director may notify the entrant and request that the submissions be transferred to the appropriate category. While SEJ will make reasonable efforts to identify misclassified entries, the ultimate responsibility for correct categorization lies with the entrant.

19. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS: Winners will be notified and announced in February 2026, following the completion of the judging process. Public announcement of winners, with the exception of the Nina Mason Pulliam Award winners, will take place shortly thereafter. Finalists will be contacted directly, and results will be released once all selected entrants have been notified.

20. DISPLAYING AND ARCHIVING WINNERS: SEJ retains the right to archive all place-winning entries and may reproduce them on the SEJ website or in official SEJ publications at its discretion.

21. RULES CHANGES: The Awards Committee, in consultation with the Awards Director, may vote to amend contest rules, including adjustments to award categories, prize amounts and entry fees.

All such changes must occur prior to the opening of the contest cycle. Any budgetary changes must remain within the limits established by SEJ’s Executive Director and Board of Directors.

22. POSTING OF RULES: Official contest rules will be made publicly available on the SEJ website. The names and affiliations of the Awards Committee members will also be posted.

 

JUDGES AND JUDGING

1. APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES: For each contest category, the Awards Committee shall annually appoint a panel of no fewer than three qualified judges. Each panel must include a designated chairperson responsible for ensuring the panel adheres to all context rules, managing the judging timeline and deadlines, and preparing or collecting written citations for each winning entry, which must be submitted to the Awards Director.

Each panel must consist of an odd number of judges to avoid evenly split votes. At its discretion, the Awards Committee may assign the same judge or judging panels to evaluate more than one contest category. All judges will be appointed prior to the contest deadline.

2. SCREENERS: The Awards Committee may appoint a minimum of two screeners per category to narrow the number of entries for consideration by the judges. Members of the Awards Committee may serve as screeners. All screeners are required to adhere to the same conflict of interest standards that apply to judges.

3. QUALIFICATIONS FOR JUDGING AND SCREENING: All individuals appointed as judges and screeners must either be news professionals or journalism educators, or individuals with equivalent expertise and experience, as determined by the Awards Committee.

Judges and screeners must review and comply with all contest rules and are expected to act with fairness, objectivity and integrity throughout the process.

Members of the SEJ Board of Directors, SEJ staff and awards personnel are not eligible to serve as judges or screeners. Members of the Awards Committee may serve as screeners. All judges and screeners serve in a volunteer capacity.

4. REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF JUDGES: If a judge is unable or unwilling to fulfill their responsibilities (including adherence to the contest rules, timely participation or objective evaluation) the Awards Committee shall appoint a replacement. Disagreement with a judge's selection of a winner does not constitute sufficient grounds for removal. However, if the Awards Committee determines that a judge lacks the necessary qualifications or fails to meet procedural expectations, a replacement will be appointed at the Committee’s discretion.

5. JUDGE/SCREENER RECUSALS: Judges and screeners are required to recuse themselves from evaluating or discussing any entry submitted by their own news organizations.

  • This requirement does not extend to organizations under a common corporate ownership but are managed separately or operate as separate entities (e.g., newspaper or stations in different cities) unless they form part of a single, integrated news operation.
  • If a judge or screener is uncertain whether a recusal should occur, they must consult with SEJ staff or the Awards Committee, whose determination will be final.
  • Judges and screeners who have recused themselves from deciding on an entry may participate in evaluating all other entries in that same category. However, if a judging or screening panel is unable to reach a decision on an entry due to recusal, the Awards Committee may replace the recused judge or screener for that entry.

6. JUDGING/SCREENING PROCESS: Judging and screening panels will access and evaluate entries using SEJ’s online awards portal. Final deliberations will take place via telephone, video conference or email, scheduled by the panel chair to ensure full participation.

  • Panel discussions must be conducted with the entire judging or screening panel present. Individual members may not discuss entries outside of these official meetings.
  • Judges and screeners may not communicate about entries with anyone outside their assigned panel.

Each panel will use its professional judgment and discretion to identify and recognize the most outstanding journalism in its assigned category. The Awards Committee, at its discretion prior to the judging process, will provide standardized, non-bending evaluation guidelines to assist panels in assessing entries.

All panels are required to consider both the submitted stories and any accompanying supplemental materials, and evaluate entries within the context of the outlet’s resources, recognizing merit of work from smaller or less-resourced organizations alongside those from larger, well-funded institutions.

7. QUESTIONS FROM JUDGES: If judges have questions regarding contest rules, category classification or subject eligibility, they must consult the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee, by majority vote, retains final authority to interpret the contest rules and will advise the judges accordingly. The Committee's role is limited to rule interpretation and may not extend to providing advice, commentary, opinion or preference on any entry.

8. NUMBER OF WINNERS: Judging panels may award up to three ranked place-winners (first, second and third) and three honorable mentions per category. Panels are not obligated to fill all six available honors and may choose to recognize fewer or no entries if, in their professional judgement, submissions do not meet the standard of excellence required. Ties are not permitted. No more than six honorees may be named in any single category.

9. DISPUTES: Judging panels are expected to make every reasonable effort to reach a consensus in selecting place-winners and honorable mentions. In cases where consensus cannot be made, decisions will be determined by a simple majority vote.

  • If a member of a judging panel believes a fellow judge is not adhering to the contest rules, they may contact the Awards Committee, which will determine whether a rule violation has occurred.
  • The decisions of judging panels are final, except in extraordinary circumstances involving a breach of contest rules.
  • The Awards Committee may not overturn a judging panel's decision based on subjective disagreement over editorial merit.
  • The Committee may intervene only if, by majority vote, it determines that: the judging process violated the contest rules or that a place-winning entry is ineligible or noncompliant with contest rules. In such cases, the original judging panel will be asked to reconvene promptly to make a new selection.
  • Under no circumstances may the Awards Committee, the SEJ Board of Directors, the SEJ staff or awards personnel select winners or honorable mentions.

10. CITATIONS FOR WINNING ENTRIES: The chairperson of each judging panel is responsible for preparing or collecting from fellow panel judges, brief statements for each place-winning entry.

  • Each statement must be at least one paragraph in length and explain why the entry merits recognition.
  • All members of the panel must review and approve the statements in writing.
  • Finalized statements must be submitted to the Awards Director and will be published by SEJ when winners are announced.

11. JUDGING DEADLINE: Each judging panel must submit their final decision by the deadline established by SEJ staff. The panel chairperson must report the results and submit the corresponding statements by the deadline. All judges on the panel must independently confirm their agreement with the final selection.

Awards personnel, in collaboration with the Committee Chair or Co-Chairs, will review all place-winning entries and honorable mentions to ensure full compliance with contest rules.

12. CONFIDENTIALITY: Judges are strictly prohibited from disclosing any aspect of their deliberations, including commentary on individual entries or the internal decision-making process.

  • The only permitted disclosures are for the sole purpose of communicating winners and transmitting approved statements.
  • In extraordinary circumstances, the Awards Committee may request that judges share their deliberations, but only if it is deemed necessary to determine whether a procedural or eligibility violation has occurred.
  • Any such discussion will be treated as strictly confidential by all parties involved.

 

 

THE NINA MASON PULLIAM AWARD

1. NAME AND PURPOSE: The Nina Mason Pulliam Award for Outstanding Environmental Reporting honors the “best of the best” from among first-place winners in the SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment. The award recognizes one overall winner and one honorable mention whose work exemplifies the highest standard of environmental journalism.

2. PRIZE: The recipient of the Nina Mason Pulliam Award will receive $10,000, a trophy and full registration, travel and lodging (up to $2,500) to attend SEJ’s annual conference.

3. ELIGIBLE ENTRANTS: All first-place winners of the current year SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment are eligible and automatically considered for the Nina Mason Pulliam Award.

4. DISCLOSURE OF WINNERS: The winner and honorable mention will be announced at SEJ’s annual conference.

5. DISPLAYING AND ARCHIVING WINNERS: SEJ will retain a copy of the winning entry as part of its official archive. SEJ may reproduce the winning work, in whole or in part, on its website or in its publications, at the SEJ’s discretion.

In addition, SEJ grants to the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust or its designee a nonexclusive, irrevocable, fully transferable, worldwide license to publish excerpts of the winning entry in any medium—no known or hereafter developed —for the furtherance of the Trust’s nonprofit mission. This includes but is not limited to use in the Trust’s annual or special reports, website, brochures, guidelines, requests for proposals and other materials.

6. NUMBER OF WINNERS: The judging panel will select one overall winner and one honorable mention. Ties are not permitted.

7. GOVERNANCE: The Nina Mason Pulliam Award is made possible through a grant from The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and is managed in partnership with the Society of Environmental Journalists.

  • The Awards Committee is responsible for establishing, amending and interpreting the contest rules and appointing the judging panel.
  • The judging panel is responsible for selecting the winner and honorable mention from the first-place winners of the Awards for Reporting on the Environment.
  • Under no circumstance may the Awards Committee or SEJ’s Board of Directors, SEJ staff or awards personnel or the board or staff of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust participate in selecting the award recipient.

 

JUDGES AND JUDGING

1. APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES: The Awards Director, in consultation with the Awards Committee, will appoint a panel of at least three judges, including a panel chairperson. The chairperson is responsible for ensuring:

  • The judging panel adheres to all contest rules
  • The judging process is completed by the stated deadline
  • Statements for the winner and honorable mention are written and submitted

Each panel must consist of an odd number of judges to avoid tied votes. Judges should be appointed prior to the conclusion of regular SEJ Awards judging, and preferably earlier.

2. QUALIFICATIONS FOR JUDGING: All individuals appointed as judges must either be news professionals or journalism educators, or individuals with equivalent expertise and experience, as determined by the Awards Committee.

Judges must review and comply with all contest rules and are expected to act with fairness, objectivity and integrity throughout the process.

Members of the Awards Committee, the SEJ Board of Directors, SEJ staff and awards personnel and the board or staff of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust are not eligible to serve as judges or screeners. All judges and screeners serve in a volunteer capacity.

3. REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF JUDGES: If a judge is unable or unwilling to fulfill their responsibilities or fails to comply with contest rules, the Awards Committee will appoint a qualified replacement. Disagreement with a judge's selection of a winner does not constitute sufficient grounds for removal. However, if the Awards Committee determines that a judge lacks the necessary qualifications or fails to meet procedural expectations, a replacement will be appointed at the Committee’s discretion.

4. JUDGE RECUSALS: Judges are required to recuse themselves from evaluating or discussing any entry submitted by their own news organizations.

  • This requirement does not extend to organizations under a common corporate ownership but are managed separately or operate as separate entities (e.g., newspaper or stations in different cities) unless they form part of a single, integrated news operation.
  • If a judge is uncertain whether a recusal should occur, they must consult the Awards Director or the Awards Committee, whose determination will be final.
  • Judges who have recused themselves from deciding on an entry may participate in evaluating all other eligible entries. However, if a judging or screening panel is unable to reach a decision due to recusal, the Awards Committee may replace the recused judge.

5. JUDGING PROCESS: Final deliberations will take place via telephone, video conference or email, scheduled by the panel chair to ensure full participation.

  • Panel discussions must be conducted with the entire judging panel present. Individual members may not discuss entries outside of these official meetings.
  • Judges may not communicate about entries with anyone outside their assigned panel.
  • Judges will use their own professional discretion to determine which entry reflects the most outstanding environmental journalism among the first-place winners.

The Awards Committee, at its discretion prior to the judging process, will provide standardized, non-bending evaluation guidelines to assist in the judging process.

Judges are required to consider both the submitted stories and any accompanying supplemental materials, and evaluate entries within the context of the outlet’s resources, recognizing merit of work from smaller or less-resourced organizations alongside those from larger, well-funded institutions.

6. QUESTIONS FROM JUDGES: If judges have questions regarding contest rules, they must consult the Awards Director or Awards Committee. The Awards Committee, by majority vote, retains final authority to interpret the contest rules and will advise the judges accordingly. The Committee's role is limited to rule interpretation and may not extend to providing advice, commentary, opinion or preference on any entry.

7. DISPUTES: Judging panels are expected to make every reasonable effort to reach a consensus in selecting a winner and honorable mention. In cases where consensus cannot be made, decisions will be determined by a simple majority vote.

  • If a member of a judging panel believes a fellow judge is not adhering to the contest rules, they may contact the Awards Committee, which will determine whether a rule violation has occurred.
  • The decisions of judging panels are final, except in extraordinary circumstances involving a breach of contest rules.
  • The Awards Committee may not overturn a judging panel's decision based on subjective disagreement over editorial merit.
  • The Committee may intervene only if, by majority vote, it determines that: the judging process violated the contest rules or that a place-winning entry is ineligible or noncompliant with contest rules. In such cases, the original judging panel will be asked to reconvene promptly to make a new selection.
  • Under no circumstances may the Awards Committee, the SEJ Board of Directors, the SEJ staff, awards personnel or board or staff of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust select the winner.

8. CITATION FOR WINNING ENTRY: The chairperson is responsible for preparing or collecting from fellow panel judges, brief statements for each place-winning entry.

  • Each statement must be at least one paragraph in length and explain why the entry merits recognition.
  • All members of the panel must review and approve the statements in writing.
  • Finalized statements must be submitted to the Awards Director and will be published by SEJ when winners are announced.

9. JUDGING DEADLINE: The judging panel must submit their final decision by the deadline established by SEJ staff. The panel chairperson must report the results and submit the corresponding statements by the deadline. All judges on the panel must independently confirm their agreement with the final selection.

10. CONFIDENTIALITY: Judges are strictly prohibited from disclosing any aspect of their deliberations, including commentary on individual entries or the internal decision-making process.

  • The only permitted disclosures are for the sole purpose of communicating a winner and transmitting approved statements.
  • In extraordinary circumstances, the Awards Committee may request that judges share their deliberations, but only if it is deemed necessary to determine whether a procedural or eligibility violation has occurred.
  • Any such discussion will be treated as strictly confidential by all parties involved.

Updated January 2019, March 2019, January 2020, January 2021, January 2022, January 2023, December 2023, December 2024, July 2025

 

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