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, including an accessible ebook or PDF.  If the book is set to publish after submission opens, authors may upload a PDF file of the galley or final manuscript.
• Submissions for the Rachel Carson Environment Book Award open on October 27, 2026, and close December 21, 2026. The late deadline is January 4, 2027. 

Eligibility

• Books must have an original copyright date in 2025 or 2026 for the December 31, 2026 eligibility deadline. You may submit a digital version of a published book, such as an accessible ebook or PDF. If the book is set to publish after the submission opens on October 27, 2026, authors may upload a PDF file of the galley or final manuscript. Do not submit or send physical, bound books.
• 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.

** 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.