2026 Ñ Awards

Guidelines

About the awards

Each year, the Ñ Awards highlight excellence across multiple categories, honoring journalists across platforms, from print and digital media to broadcast and visual storytelling. These awards are an opportunity to recognize those who push boundaries, break stereotypes, and ensure Latino communities are represented with depth and authenticity in the news. Recipients of these prestigious awards will be honored during our annual Ñ Awards Luncheon during the annual NAHJ Conference.

Who can submit?

The Ñ Awards are open to all NAHJ members. All entrants must hold a current active membership of the organization at the time of submission. To become a member or renew, click here.

Deadline to apply

The 2026 Ñ Awards deadline is March 20, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.

APPLY TO Ñ AWARDS

General Award Categories

Print/Digital Journalism
Radio/Online Audio Journalism
Photojournalism
Student Print/Online Journalism
Student Broadcast Journalism
TV/Online Video Journalism
Podcast 
Data & Innovation Journalism *NEW*
Education Journalism (Presented by College Board)

Top Tier Awards 2026

Al Neuharth Award for Investigative Journalism
NAHJ Elaine Rivera Civil Rights & Social Justice Award

New Categories

Category: Data & Innovation Journalism (Latino Issues)

Award Description: This category recognizes news organizations or journalists that have innovated their journalism to better serve Latino communities and deepen audience understanding of issues impacting Latinos. It honors work that goes beyond traditional approaches by using creative formats, technology, audience engagement, or distribution strategies to improve access, clarity, or reach.

Category: Education Journalism (Presented by College Board)

Award Description: This award recognizes a journalist whose work offers insightful and impactful coverage of education issues affecting underrepresented Latino communities. We seek stories that delve deep, capturing the educational challenges, achievements, and unique experiences shaping Latino students, families, and educators. Whether focusing on K-12 education, higher education, policy impacts, or personal narratives, this award aims to highlight journalism that brings these important perspectives to the forefront, fostering a deeper understanding of the opportunities and obstacles faced by Latino communities. Submissions can include single articles, multi-part series, or multimedia presentations.

Eligibility: Open to all journalists, whether full-time or freelance. We understand that impactful journalism on this subject can take many forms, so we encourage submissions across a range of media, including print, online, television, radio, or any combination of these platforms.

Awards & Prizes: The winner of this award will receive a cash prize of $5,000.

Category: Podcast

Award Description: The Ñ Award for Podcast celebrates outstanding storytelling, in-depth reporting, and innovative audio journalism that bring Latino experiences, issues, and voices to the forefront. As the podcasting landscape continues to grow, this award honors journalists and creators who use the power of audio to inform, inspire, and engage audiences through compelling narratives. This category recognizes excellence in a wide range of podcast formats, including investigative series, narrative storytelling, news analysis, and cultural commentary.

Eligibility: Open to all journalists, whether full-time or freelance.

NEW CATEGORIES

NAHJ/University of Florida Award in Investigative Journalism

This award recognizes outstanding investigative journalism that demonstrates innovation, impact, and excellence in storytelling. While submissions will follow the Ñ Awards entry guidelines, please note the following exceptions:

Entry Requirements: Entries must be multimedia journalism, which can include—but is not limited to—video, audio, photos, interactive graphics, and other digital elements. The total combined length of all materials must be 10 minutes or less. If the original content exceeds this limit, it must be edited accordingly.

Eligibility & Consideration: If an entry is submitted in both the small/medium newsroom category and the large newsroom category (e.g., through a partnership with a larger outlet), NAHJ and the University of Florida reserve the right to eliminate one of the entries from consideration.

Awards & Prizes: A cash prize of up to $5,000 will be awarded to one winner from a small/medium newsroom (with fewer than 250 employees) and one winner from a large newsroom (with 250 employees or more)

APPLY TO NAHJ/UF AWARD

Submission Guidelines

NAHJ Membership:

All entrants must be current members of NAHJ. Register or login here.

Student Submissions:

  • Entries in the High School, Undergraduate, and Graduate Student categories must be produced for and published by a school-affiliated platform (such as a school newspaper, website, or newscast). Work created for internships, professional outlets, or personal platforms is not eligible in these student-specific categories. 
  • Students may submit work to the Latino Issues categories if the work was created for a professional publication or media outlet (including through internships or freelance assignments). These entries should reflect journalism produced outside of school-affiliated platforms. 
Group/Team Submissions:
  • Group submissions can list up to five (5) collaborators. Each collaborator’s name and role must be included.
  • Only one (1) award will be presented per winning submission. However, winners will have the option to purchase additional awards if desired.
  • The submitter must be a current NAHJ member to be eligible.

All Submissions

  • Languages: Entries are accepted in both English and Spanish.
  • Publication Date: Work must have been published or broadcast between January 31, 2025, and January 31, 2026.
  • Platform: Entries must be published by a recognized media organization in print, online, radio, or broadcast outlets. Podcasts and vodcasts are eligible only if the content is produced for news purposes.
  • Podcasts: Podcast and vodcast episodes or series must be original works, initially published online, that inform and engage audiences through a news-focused lens on Latino issues.
  • Content Focus: Submissions should focus on Latino issues.

Entry Specifications

  • Series Submissions: For series, up to three related items may be submitted together.
  • Length Requirements:
    • Video/Audio: Maximum total length of 10 minutes. Longer pieces must be edited down.
    • Print: No more than three parts, including sidebars, and should not exceed a 10-minute read. Articles must include the byline, date, publication name, and page number, or provide a link.
    • Radio, Podcast, and TV: Entries may be standalone stories or part of a series (up to five parts total), but must not exceed 10 minutes.
    • Multimedia: Combined content must not exceed 10 minutes.
    • Photojournalism: Single image or photo series submissions accepted.
      • High-resolution images required, minimum 300 dpi.
      • For a photo series or photo story, up to 10 related images may be submitted together.
      • AI-generated imagery is not allowed.
  • Submission Format:
    • Broadcast/Online Work: Submit as a link to a live, public site. Passwords may be provided if content is behind a paywall.
    • Video Uploads: Use platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or your station’s website. Provide direct links in the application form.
    • Live Access: All winning entries must remain publicly accessible for one year after the winner announcement.
    • Data & Innovation: Submit an entry that demonstrates innovation in content, storytelling, engagement, technology, or audience experience. Entries may include audio or video clips, websites, interactive projects, newsletters, social media, apps, or other digital platforms.
      • Submissions must include a brief written description explaining how the work departs from traditional journalism practices and how the innovation improved audience understanding or access.
    • Photojournalism: Upload high-resolution JPEG or PNG files. Include publication date, outlet, and a brief caption or description providing context.
  • Restrictions:
    • NAHJ does not have a long-form video category. Entries exceeding 10 minutes will be disqualified.
    • Entries without payment will be considered ineligible.
    • Submissions that do not meet guidelines (dates, length, etc.) will be disqualified without reimbursement of the entry fee.

Early Entry Fee (Closes March 6):

  • $50 for professional categories
  • $25 for student categories

Regular Entry Fee (Closes March 20):

  • $75 for professional categories
  • $30 for student categories

Entry Information:

  • Title of Entry
  • Publication Name or Station/Network where the entry was published or aired
  • Publish/Air Date
  • Brief Description of the Entry: (50 words or less) summarizing the content
  • Role in Production: A short explanation of your specific role in creating the submitted work
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