Call for Entries: Lincoln Journalism Prize 2026

The Lincoln Prize for Journalism on Urban Policy, Sustainable Development, and Climate Change invites journalists from across Latin America to submit investigative and outreach journalism projects focused on land policy, sustainable urban development, and climate challenges. The competition awards prizes of up to USD 3,000 and recognizes impactful reporting that explores equitable land use, community development, environmental sustainability, and public policy.

About the Lincoln Prize for Journalism

The Lincoln Institute for Land Policy has launched the Lincoln Prize for Journalism on Urban Policy, Sustainable Development, and Climate Change to recognize high-quality journalism that investigates and communicates critical issues related to land policy and sustainable development.

The prize supports journalists who produce evidence-based reporting that helps communities, policymakers, and the public better understand challenges related to urban growth, climate change, land management, and equitable development.

The competition encourages journalism that highlights innovative approaches to land use and addresses economic, social, and environmental challenges affecting cities and communities across Latin America.

Purpose of the Award

The prize aims to:

Promote investigative journalism on land policy and urban development.
Encourage public understanding of sustainable city planning.
Highlight solutions to climate and environmental challenges.
Recognize journalists covering complex territorial issues.
Support reporting that contributes to informed public debate.
Encourage equitable and sustainable approaches to land management.

Focus Areas of Eligible Journalism

Submitted reports should address one or more of the Lincoln Institute’s three major impact areas.

Soil and Water

This area focuses on:

Sustainable management of land and water resources.
Environmental protection.
Climate resilience.
Natural resource conservation.
Strategies for creating habitable and sustainable communities.

Reports may explore how land and water management affect ecosystems, cities, and future generations.

Soil and Communities

This area focuses on:

Equitable access to territorial resources.
Inclusive urban development.
Community prosperity.
Housing and land access.
Social impacts of land-use decisions.

Journalism should examine how land policies influence communities and social equity.

Land and Tax Systems

This area focuses on:

Land-use planning.
Public finance systems.
Property taxation.
Urban governance.
Public services supported through land policies.

Reports may investigate how coordinated planning and financial systems contribute to sustainable cities.

Prize Amounts

The competition offers the following awards:

First Prize: USD 3,000
Second Prize: USD 2,000
Third Prize: USD 1,000

The jury may also provide:

Honorable mentions for finalist entries.

If submitted works do not meet the required quality standards, the jury may decide not to award one or more prizes.

Who is Eligible?

The competition is open to:

Journalists based in Latin America.
Individual journalists.
Investigative journalism teams.

For team submissions:

A team coordinator must be designated.
The coordinator will represent the submission.

Applicants must submit published journalistic work that meets the competition requirements.

Eligible Works

Submitted works must:

Be originally published between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
Be published by a recognized media outlet.
Address topics related to land policy, sustainable urban development, or climate change.
Be available in an eligible journalistic format.

Accepted formats include:

Print journalism.
Digital journalism.
Audiovisual journalism.
Investigative reports.
Outreach journalism.
Journalism series.

Ineligible Works

The following submissions will not be accepted:

Unpublished journalistic pieces.
Books.
Academic articles.
Technical reports.
Research papers not published as journalism.
Works published outside the eligible date range.

Only journalism published through media organizations is eligible.

Application Categories

Journalists may submit:

A single journalistic work.
Multiple related pieces.
A published series of reports.

Submissions may be individual or team-based.

Previous Winners Eligibility

Previous winners may participate under certain conditions.

They:

Cannot submit work where they are the lead journalist.
May participate as team members if another journalist leads the submission.

This rule ensures opportunities for new leading contributors.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Select an eligible journalistic work published during the required period.
Confirm that the report addresses land policy, urban development, sustainable development, or climate change.
Decide whether to apply individually or as part of a team.
Designate a team coordinator if submitting as a group.
Prepare the required submission materials.
Submit the application according to the competition guidelines.
Ensure all publication details and supporting information are complete.

Applicants should carefully review eligibility requirements before submission.

Selection Criteria

The jury is expected to evaluate submissions based on:

Investigative quality.
Relevance to land policy and sustainable development.
Evidence-based reporting.
Social and environmental impact.
Originality.
Public outreach value.
Quality of storytelling.
Contribution to understanding urban challenges.
Ability to highlight solutions and innovative approaches.

Strong submissions will demonstrate journalism that informs, investigates, and contributes to meaningful public discussions.

Why This Award Matters

Urbanization, climate change, and land management are among the most important challenges facing Latin American communities.

This award helps:

Strengthen environmental journalism.
Promote accountability in land-use decisions.
Highlight sustainable urban solutions.
Increase awareness of climate-related challenges.
Support journalists investigating complex policy issues.
Encourage reporting on equitable development.
Connect communities with information about land and urban planning.

By recognizing impactful journalism, the prize supports better understanding of how land policies shape the future of cities and communities.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting unpublished work.
Submitting academic or technical reports instead of journalism.
Choosing reports outside the competition themes.
Missing publication date requirements.
Failing to provide complete application information.
Ignoring team submission requirements.
Submitting work published outside recognized media outlets.

Strong applications clearly demonstrate journalistic impact, relevance, and connection to sustainable development issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Lincoln Prize for Journalism?

The Lincoln Prize for Journalism is an award organized by the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy that recognizes outstanding journalism on urban policy, sustainable development, land management, and climate change.

Who can participate in the competition?

Journalists from across Latin America can participate individually or as members of investigative journalism teams.

What is the maximum prize amount?

The first prize winner receives USD 3,000. Additional prizes include USD 2,000 for second place and USD 1,000 for third place.

What types of journalism are eligible?

Eligible works include published investigative and outreach journalism in print, digital, or audiovisual formats.

What publication dates are accepted?

Eligible works must have been published between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

Can previous winners apply again?

Previous winners cannot submit work where they are the lead journalist, but they may participate as team members on entries led by another journalist.

What topics should reports cover?

Reports should focus on land policy, sustainable urban development, climate change, land and water management, community development, or land and tax systems.

Conclusion

The Lincoln Prize for Journalism on Urban Policy, Sustainable Development, and Climate Change provides an important platform for Latin American journalists to highlight critical issues shaping cities, communities, and the environment. By rewarding investigative and solutions-oriented reporting, the prize encourages journalism that improves public understanding of land policy, promotes sustainable development, and supports more equitable and resilient communities.