Outstanding Beat Reporting Award: Recognizes three to five broadcasts, published news reports or commentary pieces covering either a wide range of environmental topics or multiple aspects of a single environmental topic originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025. 

Entry Guidelines

• Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.
• Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible. 
  • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
  • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.
• TV and Audio Entries
  • Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes 
  • National networks in the U.S. and internationally
  • Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
  • Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

Outstanding Beat Reporting Award: Recognizes three to five broadcasts, published news reports or commentary pieces covering either a wide range of environmental topics or multiple aspects of a single environmental topic originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025. 

Entry Guidelines

• Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.
• Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible. 
  • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
  • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes 
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting: Recognizes an investigative report or series on a single environmental topic, originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025. 

Qualifying investigative entries must demonstrate the use of journalistic skills and techniques to uncover facts not otherwise available to the public. Judges will be asked to consider the impact and results of the reporting.

Entry Guidelines

• Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.
• Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible. 
  • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
  • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes 
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting: Recognizes an investigative report or series on a single environmental topic, originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025. 

Qualifying investigative entries must demonstrate the use of journalistic skills and techniques to uncover facts not otherwise available to the public. Judges will be asked to consider the impact and results of the reporting.

Entry Guidelines

• Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.
• Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible. 
  • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
  • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes 
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

Outstanding Explanatory Reporting Award: Recognizes a story, series or occasional series that illuminates a significant, complex environmental subject originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025. 

Entry Guidelines

• Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.
• Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible. 
  • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
  • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes 
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

Outstanding Explanatory Reporting Award: Recognizes a story, series or occasional series that illuminates a significant, complex environmental subject originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025. 

Entry Guidelines

• Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.
• Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible. 
  • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
  • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes 
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

Outstanding Feature Story Award: Recognizes a single feature story centered on an environmental topic, with a strong emphasis on storytelling originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025. 

Entry Guidelines

• Entry must be a single story. Multi-part stories are not permitted.
• Entry must not be directly tied to a recent news event. 
• Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible. 
  • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
  • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes 
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

Outstanding Feature Story Award: Recognizes a single feature story centered on an environmental topic, with a strong emphasis on storytelling originally published or aired between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025. 

Entry Guidelines

• Entry must be a single story. Multi-part stories are not permitted.
• Entry must not be directly tied to a recent news event. 
• Only work published or aired by the original media outlet is eligible. 
  • Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
  • Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Eligibility – Large Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with more than 100 full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes 
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations in the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent markets outside the U.S.

Eligibility – Small Newsroom Criteria

• Print or online entries: Stories published by news organizations with 100 or fewer full-time editorial staff, including reporters, editors, copy editors, art directors and others directly engaged in producing journalism. External collaborators such as freelancers and contractors must be included in the staff count when determining market size.

TV and Audio Entries

• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes
• National networks in the U.S. and internationally
• Local stations operating below the Top 50 U.S. television markets or Top 100 U.S. audio markets 
• Or equivalent smaller markets outside the U.S.

Collaborative entries involving both small and large newsrooms will be classified as large-newsroom entries.

Outstanding Student Reporting: Recognizes an environmental story or series produced by a student or group of students enrolled in a university, college or high school at the time of production. The goal is to spotlight emerging talent and journalistic excellence in environmental reporting by students. 

Entry Guidelines

• Entries must have been published, aired or otherwise made publicly accessible between May 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025.
• Entries must appear in a media outlet accessible to the general public, including campus media. 
• Work produced during internships or student-held part-time jobs is eligible. 
• Up to five stories may be submitted; related stories and sidebars published on the same day count as one story. 
• Total combined runtime for audio/visual submissions must not exceed 60 minutes. 

Eligibility:

• Class assignments not published, posted or broadcast to the public are not eligible.
• Entries with bylines shared with non-students are not eligible
• Work produced in post-graduate internships is not eligible.
• Republished or rebroadcast stories are not eligible.
• Online stories that have been edited or altered after July 31, 2025 are not eligible.

Rachel Carson Environment Book Award: Recognizes a nonfiction book addressing an environmental issue of local, national or global significance. The book should demonstrate excellence in environmental storytelling, reporting or analysis. 

Entry Guidelines

• Published books must have a digital version to enter, such as an accessible ebook or PDF. Do not submit or send physical, bound books.

Eligibility

• Books must have an original copyright date in 2024 and must be publicly available to the general public.
• Books translated into English and published for the first time during the contest year are eligible. Photojournalism books that tell a clear environmental story through imagery and text are eligible.
• Republished books are not eligible, even if substantially revised, updated or altered. Memoirs and picture books are not eligible. Proofing copies are not eligible.

** Please note:  Due to a backlog of mentee requests, there may be a delay in making a match for you. We are working hard to recruit more mentors. Don’t be discouraged — please do apply. Thank you in advance for your patience! If your need for guidance is urgent, we recommend signing up for the SEJ-Talk listserv or joining the members-only Facebook group where you can reach out to other members anytime. **

Thank you for helping to build the future of environmental reporting! We hope that the mentee program helps support you in your endeavors.

This program is flexible and member-driven. If you a paired in a suitable match, we simply ask that you participate for at least one year and communicate with your mentor a minimum of four times. Mentors typically critique stories and offer professional development advice. Mentor/mentee pairs can choose to meet virtually or in person. SEJ also coordinates mentoring events at our annual conference.

Please read the application carefully and answer the questions with as much detail as possible. This helps us to create suitable matches. Also note that you are required to submit three recent writing samples. Preference will be given to samples that have been published. 

After your application has been received, please expect to receive a confirmation email. Once our program coordinators have found a pair, you will be sent another email with information about your potential mentor. Should you approve of the pairing, you will be put in contact with the mentor. Please note that this process can take some time, as our team is committed to facilitating matches that suit all parties.

Any questions about the process can be directed to mentors@sej.org. Our coordinators will gladly assist you.