Outstanding Beat Reporting, Large
  Three to five broadcast or published news reports and/or commentary on a broad range of environmental topics or a broad range of various issues within a single environmental topic, published or aired between April 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024. Entry must be the work of three journalists maximum, plus a photographer, graphics artist or other individual vital to the development of the stories. TV reporters may include a small video team.  

• Related stories published on the same day count as one story. 
• A series may begin or end outside the eligibility window.
• Recorded stories must have a total run time of no more than 60 minutes.
• A cover letter is mandatory, and may be submitted by the reporter entering the contest or any other individual, and should help judges understand difficulties the reporter faced, impacts of the story or other information that would interest judges.

ELIGIBILITY
 

• Journalism about an environmental issue published or aired between April 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024, in a media outlet available to the general public. THREE STORIES MINIMUM. (Five max)
• Print or online entries: News organizations with more than 100 employees (including all who support  production, directly or indirectly). If an entry was produced with external resources — contractors, freelancers, etc. — that number must be included when determining size.
• Recorded stories: National networks in the U.S. and elsewhere and top 50 television and top 100 audio markets in the U.S. and in equivalent markets outside the U.S.
• Small-newsroom entities collaborating with large-newsroom entities qualify as large-newsroom. 
• Online stories edited or altered for content after April 30, 2024 aren't eligible.
• Do not enter a story more than once in this or any other category. Duplicates will be discarded.
• Only stories published or aired by the original media outlet are eligible. The form will ask where stories have been republished or re-aired, but only the original stories are eligible to be judged. 

See complete rules.

DEADLINES
Regular deadline: June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Late-entry deadline (with additional fee): July 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Outstanding Beat Reporting, Small
 Three to five broadcast or published news reports and/or commentary on a broad range of environmental topics or a broad range of various issues within a single environmental topic, published or aired between April 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024. Entry must be the work of three journalists maximum, plus a photographer, graphics artist or other individual vital to the development of the stories. TV reporters may include a small video team.  

• Related stories published on the same day count as one story. 
• A series may begin or end outside the eligibility window.
• Recorded stories must have a total run time of no more than 60 minutes.
• A cover letter is mandatory, and may be submitted by the reporter entering the contest or any other individual, and should help judges understand difficulties the reporter faced, impacts of the story or other information that would interest judges.

ELIGIBILITY
 

• Journalism about an environmental issue published or aired between April 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024, in a media outlet available to the general public. THREE STORIES MINIMUM. (Five max)
• Print or online entries: News organizations with 100 or fewer employees (including all who support production, directly or indirectly). If an entry was produced with external resources — contractors, freelancers, etc. — that number must be included when determining size.
• TV and audio: Below top 50 television and top 100 audio markets in the U.S. and in equivalent markets outside the U.S.
• Freelancers: Enter your stories in small outlets into this (Beat Small) category.
• Small-newsroom entities collaborating with large-newsroom entities qualify as large-newsroom.
• Only stories published or aired by the original media outlet are eligible. Republished or rebroadcast stories aren't eligible.
• Online stories edited or altered after April 30, 2024 aren't eligible.

See complete rules.

DEADLINES
Regular deadline: June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Late-entry deadline (with additional fee): July 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Outstanding Feature Story, Large
 Entry must be a single environmental interest story not directly tied to a recent news event, with an emphasis on storytelling. Entries must be published between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024. Multi-part stories are prohibited.

• Enter a single story. 
• A cover letter is mandatory, and may be submitted by the reporter entering the contest or any other individual, and should help judges understand difficulties the reporter faced, impacts of the story or other information that would interest judges.

ELIGIBILITY

• Journalism about an environmental issue published or aired between April 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024, in a media outlet available to the general public.
• Multi-part stories and series are prohibited. 
• Print or online entries: News organizations with more than 100 employees (including all who support production, directly or indirectly). If an entry was produced with external resources — contractors, freelancers, etc. — that number must be included when determining size.
• Recorded stories: National networks in the U.S. and elsewhere and top 50 television and top 100 audio markets in the U.S. and in equivalent markets outside the U.S.
• Recorded stories must be no more than 60 minutes total.
• Small-newsroom entities collaborating with large-newsroom entities qualify as large-newsroom.
• Online stories edited or altered for content after April 30, 2024 aren't eligible.
• Do not enter a story more than once in this or any other category. Duplicates will be discarded.
• Only stories published or aired by the original media outlet are eligible. The form will ask where stories have been republished or re-aired, but only the original stories are eligible to be judged.

See complete rules.

DEADLINES

Regular deadline: June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Late-entry deadline (with additional fee): July 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Outstanding Feature Story, Small
Entry must be a single environmental interest story not directly tied to a recent news event, with an emphasis on storytelling. Entries must be published between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024. Multi-part stories are prohibited.

• Enter a single story. Related stories or sidebars published or aired the same day through the same media outlet count as one story.
• A cover letter is mandatory, and may be submitted by the reporter entering the contest or any other individual, and should help judges understand difficulties the reporter faced, impacts of the story or other information that would interest judges.

ELIGIBILITY

• Journalism about an environmental issue published or aired between April 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024, in a media outlet available to the general public.
• Multi-part stories and series are prohibited. 
• Print or online entries: News organizations with 100 or fewer employees (including all who support production, directly or indirectly). If an entry was produced with external resources — contractors, freelancers, etc. — that number must be included when determining size.
• Recorded stories: Below top 50 television and top 100 audio markets in the U.S. and in equivalent markets outside the U.S.
• Recorded stories must be no more than 60 minutes total.
• Small-newsroom entities collaborating with large-newsroom entities qualify as large-newsroom.
• Online stories edited or altered for content after April 30, 2024 aren't eligible.
• Do not enter a story more than once in this or any other category. Duplicates will be discarded.
• Only stories published or aired by the original media outlet are eligible. The form will ask where stories have been republished or re-aired, but only the original stories are eligible to be judged.

See complete rules.

DEADLINES

Regular deadline: June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Late-entry deadline (with additional fee): July 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Outstanding Explanatory Reporting, Small

A story, series or occasional series that illuminates a significant, complex environmental subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, storytelling and clear presentation, published or aired by a single news organization. Entries must be published between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024. Up to five stories are allowed. Related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.

• Related stories and sidebars published or aired the same day count as one story. 
• A series may begin or end outside the eligibility window.
• Recorded stories must have a combined total running time of no more than 60 minutes.
• A cover letter is mandatory, and may be submitted by the reporter entering the contest or any other individual, and should help judges understand difficulties the reporter faced, impacts of the story or other information that would interest judges.

ELIGIBILITY

• Journalism published or aired between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024, in a media outlet available to the general public.
• Print or online entries: News organizations with 100 or fewer employees (including all who support production, directly or indirectly). If an entry was produced with external resources — contractors, freelancers, etc. — that number must be included when determining size.
• Recorded stories: Below top 50 television and top 100 audio markets in the U.S. and in equivalent markets outside the U.S.
• Small-newsroom entities collaborating with large-newsroom entities qualify as large-newsroom. 
• Online stories edited or altered after April 30, 2024 aren't eligible.
• Do not enter a story more than once in this or any other category. Duplicates will be discarded.
• Only stories published or aired by the original media outlet are eligible. The form will ask where stories have been republished or re-aired, but only the original stories are eligible to be judged.

See complete rules.

DEADLINES
Regular deadline: June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Late-entry deadline (with additional fee): July 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Outstanding Explanatory Reporting, Large

A story, series or occasional series that illuminates a significant, complex environmental subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, storytelling and clear presentation, published or aired by a single news organization. Entries must be published between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024. Up to five stories are allowed. Related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story.

• Related stories and sidebars published or aired the same day count as one story. 
• A series may begin or end outside the eligibility window.
• Recorded stories must have a combined total running time of no more than 60 minutes.
• A cover letter is mandatory, and may be submitted by the reporter entering the contest or any other individual, and should help judges understand difficulties the reporter faced, impacts of the story or other information that would interest judges.

ELIGIBILITY

• Journalism published or aired between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024, in a media outlet available to the general public.
• Print or online entries: News organizations with more than 100 employees (including all who support  production, directly or indirectly). If an entry was produced with external resources — contractors, freelancers, etc. — that number must be included when determining size.
• Recorded stories: National networks in the U.S. and elsewhere and top 50 television and top 100 audio markets in the U.S. and equivalent markets outside the U.S. 
• Small-newsroom entities collaborating with large-newsroom entities qualify as large-newsroom. 
• Online stories edited or altered after April 30, 2024 aren't eligible.
• Do not enter a story more than once in this or any other category. Duplicates will be discarded.
• Only stories published or aired by the original media outlet are eligible. The form will ask where stories have been republished or re-aired, but only the original stories are eligible to be judged.

See complete rules.

DEADLINES
Regular deadline: June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Late-entry deadline (with additional fee): July 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting, Large
 An investigative report or series on a single environmental topic, originally published or aired between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024. Investigative reporting uses journalistic skills to disclose facts about businesses, government agencies or individuals that, absent the reporting, would not likely be disclosed. Judges will be encouraged to weigh the results of the reporting in their deliberations. Up to five stories are allowed. Related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story. 

• Related stories and sidebars published or aired the same day count as one story. 
• A series may begin or end outside the eligibility window.
• Recorded stories must have a combined total running time of no more than 60 minutes.
• A cover letter is mandatory, and may be submitted by the reporter entering the contest or any other individual, and should help judges understand difficulties the reporter faced, impacts of the story or other information that would interest judges.

ELIGIBILITY

• Journalism published or aired between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024, in a media outlet available to the general public.
• Print or online entries: News organizations with more than 100 employees (including all who support  production, directly or indirectly). If an entry was produced with external resources — contractors, freelancers, etc. — that number must be included when determining size.
• Recorded stories: National networks in the U.S. and elsewhere and top 50 television and top 100 audio markets in the U.S. and equivalent markets outside the U.S. 
• Small-newsroom entities collaborating with large-newsroom entities qualify as large-newsroom. 
• Online stories edited or altered after April 30, 2024 aren't eligible.
• Do not enter a story more than once in this or any other category. Duplicates will be discarded.
• Only stories published or aired by the original media outlet are eligible. The form will ask where stories have been republished or re-aired, but only the original stories are eligible to be judged.

See complete rules.

DEADLINES
Regular deadline: June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Late-entry deadline (with additional fee): July 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.

Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting, Small
  An investigative report or series on a single environmental topic, originally published or aired between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024. Investigative reporting uses journalistic skills to disclose facts about businesses, government agencies or individuals that, absent the reporting, would not likely be disclosed. Judges will be encouraged to weigh the results of the reporting in their deliberations. Up to five stories are allowed. Related stories and sidebars published the same day count as one story. 

• Related stories and sidebars published or aired the same day count as one story. 
• A series may begin or end outside the eligibility window.
• Recorded stories must have a combined total running time of no more than 60 minutes.
• A cover letter is mandatory, and may be submitted by the reporter entering the contest or any other individual, and should help judges understand difficulties the reporter faced, impacts of the story or other information that would interest judges.

ELIGIBILITY

• Journalism published or aired between April 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024, in a media outlet available to the general public.
• Print or online entries: News organizations with 100 or fewer employees (including all who support production, directly or indirectly). If an entry was produced with external resources — contractors, freelancers, etc. — that number must be included when determining size.
• Recorded stories: Below top 50 television and top 100 audio markets in the U.S. and in equivalent markets outside the U.S.
• Small-newsroom entities collaborating with large-newsroom entities qualify as large-newsroom. 
• Online stories edited or altered after April 30, 2024 aren't eligible.
• Do not enter a story more than once in this or any other category. Duplicates will be discarded.
• Only stories published or aired by the original media outlet are eligible. The form will ask where stories have been republished or re-aired, but only the original stories are eligible to be judged.

See complete rules.

DEADLINES
Regular deadline: June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Late-entry deadline (with additional fee): July 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Outstanding Student Reporting
  Up to five stories or a series of up to five parts on an environmental topic by a student or group of students enrolled in a university, college or high school at the time the content was produced. Entry stories must have been published, aired or otherwise produced in a media outlet accessible to the general public between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024.

• Related stories and sidebars published or aired on the same day count as one story. 
• You may enter the contest multiple times, but stories you already entered once may not be entered again in any category. Duplicate stories will be disqualified.
• Recorded stories must have a combined total running time of no more than 60 minutes.
• A series may begin or end outside the contest window.
• A cover letter is mandatory, and may be submitted by the reporter entering the contest or any other individual, and should help judges understand difficulties the reporter faced, impacts of the story or other information that would interest judges.

ELIGIBILITY

• All recorded, print and online content published or aired by the original media outlet between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024 is eligible, including campus media and journalism produced during undergraduate internships and student-held part-time jobs.
• Class assignments not published, posted or broadcast to the public aren't eligible.
• Stories with bylines shared with non-students and work from post-graduate internships aren't eligible.
• Mid-career journalists who have worked five or more years as full-time professional journalists before returning to school aren't eligible.
• Online stories edited or altered after April 30, 2024, aren't eligible.
• Republished or rebroadcast stories aren't eligible.

See complete rules.

DEADLINES
Regular deadline: June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Late-entry deadline (with additional fee): July 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Rachel Carson Environment Book Award
   A nonfiction book that covers an environmental topic with a copyright date in 2023. Republished books aren't eligible, even if substantially altered. Memoirs and picture books are not eligible. However, photojournalism books that tell an environmental story through images and text are eligible.

DEADLINES
Regular deadline: June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. Shipped books must be postmarked no later than June 17, 2024, and an online entry form must be completed by June 17, 2024.
Late entry deadline (with additional fee): July 1, 2024 11:59 p.m. ET. Late entry books must be shipped no later than July 1, 2024, and an online entry form must be completed by July 1, 2024, 11:59 ET.

** 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.