AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards

Deadline: Aug 01, 2025

partially funded

To Apply

Please visit the application link below to apply.

Opportunity Overview

Since their inception in 1945, the AAAS Science Journalism Awards have honored distinguished reporting on science by professional journalists. These awards, an internationally recognized measure of excellence in science journalism, are given to individuals (rather than institutions, publishers, or employers) for their coverage of the sciences, engineering, and mathematics.

📖 About the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards

In 2009, The Kavli Foundation provided a generous endowment to ensure the future of the program, and the awards were renamed the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards. In 2015, the endowment was doubled, enabling the competition to become truly international. All categories are now open to journalists working for independent news organizations worldwide.

🗓 Opportunity Details

Date Published: May 10, 2025
Application Deadline: August 01, 2025
Category: Contest

🏅 Award Categories

The awards recognize excellence in the following categories:

Science Reporting - Large Outlet:
Text pieces in print or online from large newspapers (circulation >150,000, including digital subscriptions) or digital-only publications with a regional/national audience. Entries can include a themed series (submit three parts) or up to three related/unrelated pieces (total ≤ 5,000 words).
Science Reporting - Small Outlet:
Text pieces in print or online from small newspapers (circulation ≤150,000, including digital subscriptions) or digital-only publications with a local audience. Entries can include a themed series (submit three parts) or up to three related/unrelated pieces (total ≤ 5,000 words).
Science Reporting - In-Depth:
Entries >5,000 words for newspapers, magazines, or online sites. Submissions can include a single story, two or three related/unrelated pieces, or a themed series (submit no more than three parts).
Magazine:
Stories in print magazines, magazine websites, or digital-only magazines (≤ 5,000 words). Entries can include up to three related/unrelated pieces (total ≤ 5,000 words). Includes Sunday magazine sections of newspapers.
Video In-Depth Reporting:
Segments or programs longer than 20 minutes, including stand-alone online videos.
Video Spot News/Feature Reporting:
Segments or programs totaling 20 minutes or less, including stand-alone online videos.
Audio:
Radio or podcast entries.
Children's Science News:
Open to journalists working in any medium (print, broadcast, or online) for excellence in reporting science news for children, including young teens up to age 14.

🎁 Benefits of the Awards

Gold Award: Prize of $5,000
Silver Award: Prize of $3,500
Awards are presented annually at the AAAS Annual Meeting in February.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Open to reporters working for independent news organizations worldwide.
Articles must be readily accessible to the public via subscription, newsstand sales, or online access.
If the submitted work was published or broadcast in a language other than English, an English translation must be provided.

📅 Application Date and Process

Entry Deadline: Friday, August 1, 2025
There is no entry fee.
AAAS encourages you to submit your best work for judging by your peers.

🌐 Application Portal

View details of the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards.
Apply for the awards here.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Submit your work and celebrate excellence in science journalism!

Benefits

In each category, there are two awards: Gold, with a prize of $5,000, and Silver, with a prize of $3,500. The awards are presented each year at the AAAS Annual Meeting in February.

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