Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Council for the Advancement of Science Writing offers the Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award to recognize outstanding non-technical science journalism by writers aged 30 or younger. The 2026 winner receives USD 1,000 and a certificate for excellence in communicating science to general audiences across print, digital, audio, or broadcast media.
Overview
The Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award honors exceptional early-career science journalists who demonstrate excellence in clear, engaging, non-technical science reporting.
The award encourages young writers to communicate complex scientific topics effectively to general audiences across multiple media formats.
Award Details
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Prize Amount: USD 1,000
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Additional Recognition: Certificate of achievement
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Awarding Body: Council for the Advancement of Science Writing
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Focus Area: Non-technical science journalism
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Audience: General public
Purpose of the Award
The award aims to:
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Encourage early-career science writers
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Recognize excellence in public-facing science journalism
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Promote accurate, accessible science communication
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Support emerging talent in science media
It highlights journalism that translates complex research into understandable, engaging stories for non-specialist readers and audiences.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Age Requirement
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Must be 30 years old or younger
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For the 2026 award, applicants must not turn 31 before July 1, 2026
(i.e., their 31st birthday must fall on July 1, 2026, or later)
Professional Status
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Open to freelance writers
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Open to staff writers
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Self-nominations allowed
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Third-party nominations allowed
Geographic Eligibility
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Open internationally
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All submissions must be in English
What Can Be Submitted?
Applicants may submit:
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One single article
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A series of articles
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Up to four individual pieces
Eligible Formats
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Newspaper articles
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Magazine features
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Newsletter publications
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Online journalism
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Audio reporting
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Video journalism
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Broadcast segments
Publication Date Requirement
Submissions must be published between:
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July 1, 2025
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June 30, 2026
A full series is eligible if most installments fall within this time frame.
What Is Not Eligible?
The award does not accept:
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Books
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Technical scholarly articles
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Peer-reviewed journal publications
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Trade association technical papers
However, science news written for general audiences remains eligible even if published by professional associations or scientific societies.
How Entries Are Judged
Judges evaluate:
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Clarity of writing
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Accuracy of scientific content
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Narrative strength
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Engagement with general audiences
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Overall journalistic excellence
Important:
Only the submitted work is reviewed. No additional supporting materials are considered.
Why This Award Matters
Clear science communication is critical in areas such as:
By supporting early-career journalists, the award strengthens public understanding of science and promotes high standards in science reporting.
How to Apply
Follow these steps:
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Confirm eligibility (age, publication date, format).
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Select qualifying work published between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
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Choose either:
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One article
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A series
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Up to four individual pieces
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Ensure all submissions are in English.
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Submit through the official award application portal before the deadline.
Only include the required materials. Do not attach additional documents.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Submitting work published outside the eligible timeframe
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Including technical academic papers
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Exceeding the maximum number of submissions
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Adding extra materials beyond the permitted entries
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Miscalculating age eligibility
Carefully review publication dates and age requirements before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the prize amount for the 2026 award?
The winner receives USD 1,000 and a certificate.
2. Who administers the award?
The award is presented by the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing.
3. Can international writers apply?
Yes. The award is open globally, but submissions must be in English.
4. Are audio and video submissions eligible?
Yes. Broadcast, audio, and video science journalism are eligible.
5. Are books eligible?
No. Books and scholarly technical articles are not accepted.
6. Can I nominate myself?
Yes. Self-nominations are allowed.
7. What age must I be to qualify?
You must be 30 or younger, and your 31st birthday must fall on July 1, 2026, or later.
Conclusion
The Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award 2026 recognizes outstanding young science journalists who excel in making science accessible to general audiences.
With a USD 1,000 prize and national recognition, the award supports early-career writers dedicated to high-quality, non-technical science reporting across print, digital, audio, and broadcast media.
Eligible journalists worldwide are encouraged to submit their best published work within the specified timeframe and compete for this prestigious science journalism award.
For more information, visit CASW.
