Deadline: 30-Sep-2026
The United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) Awards recognize outstanding journalism covering the United Nations, its agencies, and global development issues. The 30th edition invites print, broadcast, and online journalists worldwide to submit work published between September 2025 and September 2026.
The awards highlight excellence in reporting on the UN system, water and sanitation, public health, sustainable development, and the impact of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on global equity and services. Journalists may submit entries in up to two categories.
Program Overview
The UNCA Awards are an annual international journalism competition that celebrates high-quality reporting on the United Nations and global development challenges.
The awards aim to:
- Recognize excellence in UN-related journalism.
- Promote informed global reporting on development issues.
- Encourage investigative and impactful storytelling.
- Highlight public service journalism across media formats.
- Support awareness of global sustainability challenges.
The competition is open to journalists worldwide across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
Award Categories
The UNCA Awards include four main categories that reflect key areas of global reporting.
Print and Online Journalism on the United Nations
This category recognizes excellence in written journalism covering:
- The United Nations and its agencies.
- UN field operations and global initiatives.
- International diplomacy and development reporting.
- Humanitarian and policy issues.
Eligible submissions may include both print newspapers and online news platforms.
Broadcast Journalism (Television and Radio)
This category honors outstanding reporting in broadcast media.
It includes coverage of:
- UN-related activities and agencies.
- International development issues.
- Humanitarian crises and field reporting.
- Global policy and diplomacy topics.
Submissions can be in television or radio formats.
Water and Sanitation Reporting
This category focuses on investigative and impactful journalism addressing water-related issues.
Key themes include:
- Access to safe drinking water.
- Sanitation infrastructure and services.
- Sustainable water resource management.
- Public health impacts of water scarcity.
- Environmental and climate-related water challenges.
The category emphasizes journalism that highlights inequalities and development challenges in water access and hygiene.
Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence in Development
This category recognizes journalism that explores the role of emerging technologies in global development.
Topics include:
- Artificial intelligence in public services.
- Digital innovation for sustainable development.
- Technology and social equity.
- Data-driven governance.
- Ethical implications of AI in society.
- Technology’s impact on public welfare systems.
This category highlights how digital transformation shapes development outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria
The UNCA Awards are open to journalists globally.
Eligible participants must meet the following conditions:
- Be professional journalists or media contributors.
- Work in print, broadcast, or online media.
- Submit work published between September 2025 and September 2026.
- Ensure submissions align with award categories.
There are no geographical restrictions, making the awards globally accessible.
Submission Rules
Applicants must follow specific entry requirements.
Number of Entries
- Each applicant may submit entries in up to two categories.
- Only one story per category is allowed.
Joint Submissions
- Collaborative entries are permitted.
- A maximum of three credited contributors per entry is allowed.
Language Requirements
- Entries may be submitted in any official United Nations language.
- An English or French transcript is required for evaluation.
Focus Areas in Journalism
The UNCA Awards prioritize journalism that contributes to public understanding of global challenges.
United Nations Coverage
Includes reporting on:
- UN agencies and programs.
- Humanitarian operations.
- Global governance and diplomacy.
- International cooperation efforts.
Water, Sanitation, and Public Health
Focuses on:
- Clean water access.
- Sanitation systems.
- Health outcomes linked to water quality.
- Environmental sustainability.
Sustainable Development
Includes coverage of:
- Climate action and resilience.
- Poverty reduction.
- Social equity and inclusion.
- Global development goals.
Digital Innovation and AI
Highlights journalism on:
- Artificial intelligence applications.
- Digital transformation in governance.
- Ethical AI development.
- Technology and inequality.
Evaluation Criteria
Entries are typically assessed based on:
Quality of Journalism
- Accuracy and depth of reporting.
- Clarity of storytelling.
- Investigative rigor.
Relevance to UN Themes
- Coverage of UN-related issues.
- Alignment with global development priorities.
Impact and Significance
- Public awareness generated.
- Policy or social influence.
- Contribution to global understanding.
Originality
- Innovative storytelling approaches.
- Unique perspectives or sources.
- Original investigative work.
Why the UNCA Awards Matter
The UNCA Awards play a key role in strengthening global journalism by:
- Promoting high-quality reporting on international issues.
- Highlighting underreported development challenges.
- Encouraging investigative journalism.
- Recognizing media contributions to public understanding.
- Supporting awareness of UN initiatives and global goals.
They also help amplify stories that connect global policy with real-world impacts on communities.
How to Apply
Step 1: Select Eligible Work
Choose journalism pieces published between September 2025 and September 2026.
Step 2: Choose Categories
Applicants may submit:
- Up to two categories.
- One entry per category.
Step 3: Prepare Submission Materials
Prepare:
- Published article, broadcast, or digital content.
- Required transcripts (English or French).
- Contributor details (if collaborative).
Step 4: Ensure Compliance
Verify:
- Eligibility of publication date.
- Category alignment.
- Contributor limits.
Step 5: Submit Entry
Submit through the official UNCA Awards process (as specified by organizers).
Tips for Strong Submissions
To improve chances of success:
- Focus on original and investigative reporting.
- Highlight human impact and real-world stories.
- Ensure strong narrative structure.
- Provide clear and accurate data.
- Connect reporting to global development themes.
- Demonstrate depth in UN-related coverage.
- Include strong visual or multimedia storytelling where relevant.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting work outside the eligible date range.
- Entering more than two categories.
- Exceeding contributor limits.
- Missing required transcripts.
- Weak alignment with UN-related themes.
- Submitting incomplete or edited versions that differ from original publication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the UNCA Awards?
They are annual journalism awards recognizing excellence in reporting on the United Nations and global development issues.
Who can apply?
Journalists from anywhere in the world working in print, broadcast, or online media.
What is the eligibility period for submissions?
Work must be published between September 2025 and September 2026.
How many entries can I submit?
Each applicant may submit up to two categories, with one entry per category.
Are collaborative entries allowed?
Yes. Joint submissions are allowed with up to three credited contributors.
What languages are accepted?
Entries may be submitted in any UN official language, but an English or French transcript is required.
What topics are covered?
Topics include UN reporting, water and sanitation, public health, sustainable development, and digital innovation including AI.
Conclusion
The UNCA Awards 30th edition celebrates excellence in journalism that informs global audiences about the United Nations and key development challenges. By recognizing high-quality reporting across print, broadcast, and digital platforms, the awards highlight the role of journalism in advancing transparency, accountability, and public understanding of issues such as water security, sustainable development, and emerging technologies.
The competition provides a global platform for journalists to showcase impactful storytelling that connects international policy with real-world human experiences.
For more information, visit UNCA.