Submit your entry to the 2024-25 Solutions Journalism Network Awards

| Resume a previously saved form
Resume Later

In order to be able to resume this form later, please enter your email and choose a password.

Password must contain the following:
  • 12 Characters
  • 1 Uppercase letter
  • 1 Lowercase letter
  • 1 Number
  • 1 Special character

We want to recognize, amplify and celebrate the best of solutions journalism, and we invite you to submit your work for consideration in the second Solutions Journalism Network Awards. Before you get started on this form, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with The Four Pillars of Solutions Journalism and review the Eligibility Requirements if you have not already.

Eligibility Requirements

The Solutions Journalism Network Awards are open to journalists worldwide—whether working in newsrooms of any size or independently. All entrants must submit their own original, published work. Entries are accepted across all platforms, including digital, video, print, podcast, and radio. For a series, please submit one representative story. If you are submitting on someone else’s behalf, you must have their confirmed permission to do so. Multiple entries: An individual journalist may submit up to 2 bylined entries in total. Please submit one form per entry. Publication date: Eligible entries must have been published or aired between January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025. The bylined authors and producers: Every story submitted must include a byline, where an author or producer is credited for transparency. News outlet editorials are permitted formats. Authors cannot write about their own initiatives, research studies, or approaches, but rather report independently on the work of others. Note: A check-box will be included in the submission form to identify when the entered work is created by a student journalist. The publishing news outlet: The news source and journalist must demonstrate no vested interest in the initiative mentioned in the narrative. The news source can specialize in an issue area, but its stories should not represent or reflect the views of special interests or provide publicity for a specific product, approach, or an affiliated organization. Stories that are paid content will not qualify. Language requirements: Entries must be in English. Each entry must be submitted as it appeared when published. Subtitled works are acceptable if published this way. Entry requirements: Each story must include an individual url, date, title, author credit, and news outlet name. File requirements: All entries must link to a published piece and entrants must provide a courtesy access link for paywalled pieces.

Please fill out one form for every entry you submit.

There is no fee to enter the SJN awards.

NOTE: To save your form before completing/submitting it, enter your email address and password, check the "Save my progress and resume later" box, and click “Submit.” Your form will not be submitted, it will be saved, and you will be able to return to it later. Once the "Save my progress and resume later" box is unchecked, you can click “Submit” for final submission of your form.

Form Submission






Getting Started With the Authors Information




About The News Organization that Published the Story




Awards Categories


This award honors solutions journalism produced as an article in either a digital-only, digital-first or print publication, including newspapers, magazines and news websites. There is one award per newsroom size category. 

Note: More information on the category options and the General Excellence award can be found on the SJN website, here: https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/what-you-can-do/awards. 


This award celebrates solutions journalism produced in video format for television broadcast, YouTube or other video platforms. Video submissions must be under 10 minutes.

Note: More information on the category options and the General Excellence award can be found on the SJN website, here: https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/what-you-can-do/awards. 


This award recognizes solutions journalism produced as an audio-only story including radio, podcasts or audio stories published on audio platforms, such as: Spotify, SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, etc.  Please note: entries in this audio category will be judged independent of any other story elements including accompanying text and photos. Audio submissions must be under 20 minutes.

Note: More information on the category options and the General Excellence award can be found on the SJN website, here: https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/what-you-can-do/awards. 


This award recognizes solutions journalism told through visual storytelling, such as: photography, data visualizations, graphic, animations, etc. Please note: entries in this visual image category will be judged independent of any other story elements including accompanying text or audio.

Note: More information on the category options and the General Excellence award can be found on the SJN website, here: https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/what-you-can-do/awards. 


This award honors solutions journalism that is published to include at least two different storytelling elements (such as: text, audio, visuals, video, etc.). Each medium should contribute meaningfully to advancing the story and deepening audience understanding.

Note: More information on the category options and the General Excellence award can be found on the SJN website, here: https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/what-you-can-do/awards. 


This award honors solutions journalism that was published or aired in on-campus media or a student news outlet*. Graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to submit entries. Students may be full-time or part-time and must attend any two-year or four-year university or college at the time of publication. Up to three entries will be awarded and it is open to the following formats: written form (print or online), audio or video. Please note: audio and video entries will be judged independent of any other story elements including accompanying text and photos. Video stories must be under 10 minutes in length and audio stories must be under 20 minutes in length. 
*If you are a student and your work was published or aired through an outlet that is not operated by a school or student organization, please submit your entry under the appropriate category (NOT in the Student category).

Note: More information on the category options and the General Excellence award can be found on the SJN website, here: https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/what-you-can-do/awards. 

Upload Section
Please refer to the award Eligibility Requirements noted above and on the SJN website here: https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/what-you-can-do/awards.  









NOTE: After you click the "submit" button, you will need to confirm your submission on the next page. 
SJN's Terms, Conditions and Acknowledgements

Acknowledgment of AI-Assisted Evaluation: To efficiently manage the high volume of submissions, an AI tool built to identify solutions journalism will be used to assist in the initial evaluation of entries. This tool will serve as a pre-screening aid to help identify reporting relevant to the goals of this solutions journalism awards contest. Importantly, the AI does not replace human judgment. All final decisions will be made by judges, with human oversight present throughout the evaluation process.

Acknowledgement of Publishing Submissions to the Story Tracker: All award winners will be added to SJN’s Story Tracker. Award finalists may be added to the Story Tracker at the discretion of Story Tracker leadership.

Note: The SJN staff and Awards judges reserve the right to reassign an entry to a different category or to withhold an award in any category if deemed appropriate.


Privacy Terms: The information you share will be used to review your entry to the SJN Awards. We will never sell or transfer your information to third parties for commercial or advertising purposes. We may use your information to link you to opportunities and connections within our network. If selected, your name, organizational affiliation, entry, and selected comments from award judges may be shared in SJN communications, including but not limited to the website, newsletters, social media, and The Whole Story blog. View our privacy policy.

Legal Terms: By submitting an entry to the Solutions Journalism Network Awards (“SJN Awards”), you (synonymously, “Entrant”) agree to the following Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before submitting your work.

  • Eligibility. Entrance to the SJN Awards is open to individuals 18 years of age or older. Entries must be submitted in English, but we welcome entrants from anywhere in the world.
  • Submission Process. Entries must be submitted via our official submission form hosted on FormAssembly. All entries must be received by the deadline stated on the submission page. Late submissions will not be considered.
  • Intellectual Property & License. Entrants (or their organization/employer) retain full ownership of any intellectual property in the work they submit. By submitting your work, you grant Solutions Journalism Network (“SJN”) a non-exclusive, worldwide license to use, reproduce, publish, display, and distribute your submission (including text, images, videos, etc.) on SJN’s websites, newsletters, social media channels, and other promotional materials for purposes including, but not limited to, promoting the SJN Awards and showcasing finalists and winners. You also grant SJN the right to archive your work as part of its historical record of the awards.
  • Representations and Warranties. By submitting, you represent and warrant that: The work is your original creation or that you have obtained all necessary permissions to submit the work and to grant the license above. The submission does not infringe on any copyright, trademark, moral rights, or other intellectual property rights of any third party. You have the full authority to grant the rights outlined in these terms.
  • Judging. Judges for the SJN Awards will be selected by SJN through an open application process. Judging decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
  • Award. The number of awards and the amount of each award is at the discretion of SJN and subject to available funding.
  • Publicity. Finalists and winners may be featured on SJN’s website, newsletter, social media, and other promotional platforms. By submitting, you consent to the use of your name, image, likeness, and submitted materials for promotional purposes without additional compensation.
  • Disqualification. Submissions that do not comply with these terms or that are found to contain false information or plagiarized content may be disqualified at any time, at the sole discretion of SJN.
  • Limitation of Liability. SJN is not responsible for any technical issues, data loss, or failed submissions arising from use of the FormAssembly platform. SJN shall not be liable for any damages arising from or related to your participation in the SJN Awards, including but not limited to any claims based on intellectual property infringement.
  • Modification or Cancellation. SJN reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the SJN Awards or these Terms & Conditions at any time.
Save my progress and resume later | Resume a previously saved form

Contact Information