Call for Entries: Victor K. McElheny Award (US)

The Victor K. McElheny Award honors exceptional local and regional journalism covering science, public health, technology, or environmental issues in the United States. The annual award recognizes impactful reporting published in 2025 with a $10,000 cash prize and national recognition from the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT.

Overview

The Victor K. McElheny Award is a prestigious journalism award that recognizes outstanding reporting on science, public health, technology, or environmental issues at the local or regional level in the United States. Administered by the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT, the award celebrates journalism that serves communities, advances public understanding, and demonstrates investigative rigor and narrative excellence.
Each year, one winning entry is selected and honored with a $10,000 cash prize and formal recognition at an award ceremony hosted by the Knight Science Journalism Program.

Purpose and Focus of the Award

Elevating Local and Regional Science Reporting

The award specifically spotlights journalism that serves local or regional audiences, highlighting the importance of community-focused reporting in explaining complex scientific and technological issues.

Encouraging Public-Interest Journalism

Entries are evaluated for their ability to inform the public, uncover critical issues, and make a tangible difference in the communities they serve.

Award Details and Benefits

Prize and Recognition

• One winner selected annually

• $10,000 cash prize

• Recognition at an official ceremony hosted by the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT

Types of Entries Accepted

• A single standalone piece

• A series of up to three related works addressing a common topic or investigation

Who Is Eligible?

Journalist Eligibility

Applicants may include:

• Freelance journalists

• Staff journalists working with independent news organizations

Media Outlet Eligibility

• Media outlets may submit entries on behalf of journalists

• The outlet must be based in the United States

• The outlet must primarily serve a local or regional audience, not a national one

Collaborative Reporting

• Collaborative projects with national outlets are eligible

• The local or regional outlet must have made a significant contribution

• The reporting must retain a clear local or regional focus

Eligible Work and Formats

Subject Areas

Eligible submissions must focus on one or more of the following:

• Science

• Public health

• Technology

• Environmental issues

Publication Date Requirement

• All submitted work must have been published during the 2025 calendar year

Accepted Media Formats

• Print journalism

• Digital journalism

• Broadcast journalism

• Audio or video journalism
  For audio or video entries:

• Total running time must not exceed 60 minutes

Evaluation Criteria

Entries are reviewed by a panel of distinguished science journalists and evaluated based on:

• Investigative depth and originality

• Service to the local or regional community

• Narrative strength and clarity

• Ability to break new ground in science or public-interest reporting

• Demonstrated real-world impact

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Select the Entry

Choose a single piece or a series of up to three related works published in 2025 that best demonstrates impact and journalistic excellence.

Step 2: Prepare Supporting Statement

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to include a statement of up to 300 words explaining:

• The significance of the work

• Its impact on the community

• Why it represents meaningful and important journalism

Step 3: Submit the Entry

• Submit through the official online submission portal

• There is no entry fee to apply

Important Dates and Timeline

• Submission portal opens: Mid-December 2025

• Submission deadline: January 31, 2026

• Winner announcement: Spring 2026

Why the Victor K. McElheny Award Matters

The award plays a vital role in:

• Recognizing the value of local and regional science journalism

• Encouraging investigative and community-centered reporting

• Supporting journalists who explain complex issues with clarity and accountability

• Strengthening public trust in science and public-interest media

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting work published outside the 2025 calendar year

• Exceeding the 60-minute limit for audio or video entries

• Submitting work without a clear local or regional focus

• Assuming collaborative work is ineligible without demonstrating local contribution

• Missing the January 31, 2026 deadline

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the Victor K. McElheny Award?

Freelance and staff journalists working with independent U.S.-based local or regional news organizations.

2. What topics are eligible?

Science, public health, technology, and environmental issues.

3. Can a series be submitted?

Yes. Applicants may submit either a single piece or a series of up to three related works.

4. Is there an entry fee?

No. There is no fee to submit an application.

5. Can audio or video journalism be submitted?

Yes, provided the total length does not exceed 60 minutes.

6. Are collaborations with national outlets allowed?

Yes, as long as the local or regional outlet made a significant contribution and the focus remains local or regional.

7. When will the winner be announced?

The winner will be announced in spring 2026.

Conclusion

The Victor K. McElheny Award offers a significant opportunity to recognize and reward high-impact local and regional journalism that strengthens public understanding of science and technology. By honoring investigative, community-driven reporting with national visibility and financial support, the award reinforces the essential role of local journalism in addressing today’s most pressing scientific and public-interest challenges.