For complete SIS and EIWA entry guidelines and entry portal links, visit:
The National Association of Science Writers and its Awards Committee once again welcome entries for the Science in Society Journalism Awards and the Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards. Each year, these #SciWriAwards recognize some of the best works in science journalism and science writing, as judged by fellow science journalists and science writers. NASW funds these awards without subsidy or sponsorship from any professional or commercial interest.
Deadline to enter is Feb. 1, 2026. Works nominated must be written or produced in English, intended for the non-specialist, and first published or broadcast between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025. All NASW awards strive to showcase exemplary work, particularly those by underrepresented creatives tackling diverse, overlooked issues and communities. Judges consider diversity in topics, sources, audience, and authors to be a critical component of excellence.
All media professionals are encouraged to submit entries on behalf of themselves, peers, colleagues, or mentees. Membership in NASW is not required. The entry fee for authors is $75 per entry for non-members and $20 per entry for NASW members; additionally, we invite members of the following organizations to enter either award program at our NASW member rate:
- Asian American Journalists Association
- The Association of LGBTQ Journalists
- Indigenous Journalists Association
- National Association of Black Journalists
- National Association of Hispanic Journalists
- SACNAS
- South Asian Journalists Association
- Trans Journalists Association
- The Uproot Project
About our NASW awards:
NASW Science in Society Journalism Awards
First awarded in 1972, the NASW Science and Society Journalism Awards were established to recognize investigative or interpretive reporting about the sciences and their impact on society. Intended to encourage critical, probing work. These annual honors have highlighted innovative reporting shaped by a diverse variety of perspectives — going well beyond the research findings and considering the associated ethical problems and social effects. Award categories include Books, Science News (formerly Reporting), Science Features, Longform Narratives, Series, and Commentary. The winner or winning team for each category receives a $2,000 prize.
Explore past winners and finalists at: https://www.nasw.org/awards/sis
NASW Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards
First awarded in 2018, the NASW Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards were established to recognize high-caliber publicly accessible science writing produced on behalf of an institution or other non-media organization — including campuses, government agencies, nonprofits, and others. The awards offer a Short-Form and Long-Form category for entries; the winner or winning team for each category receives a $2,000 prize.
Explore past winners and honorable mentions at: https://www.nasw.org/awards/excellence
New this year
The NASW Awards Committee acknowledges that the use of AI in science journalism and institutional communications is evolving. We are committed to constantly learning and adapting to this changing landscape. This year, the Awards Committee is requesting AI disclosures from all entrants. Consistent with NASW’s statement on the use of generative AI tools, any content that is generated entirely by AI, without human oversight — by the bylined author(s)/producer(s) or through the editorial process — will not be considered in this awards competition.
The Science Reporting category has been renamed to the Science News category to better reflect the focus and intent of the category.
Finally, entry fees have increased this year. The non-member entry fees for authors is $75 per entry, on par with other entry fees for other awards. The member entry fee for authors is $20 per entry and represents a $55 discount that is also available to members of the organizations listed above.
The annual NASW Science in Society Journalism Awards and NASW Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards competitions are managed by the NASW Awards Committee, a group of accomplished professionals who volunteer their time on behalf of the field. This year, the committee is chaired by Charna Albert and Aparna Vidyasagar, and NASW thanks them and the entire Awards Committee volunteer team and judges for their service. For awards program questions, please email the co-chairs at awards@nasw.org.
Founded in 1934 with a mission to fight for the free flow of science news, NASW is an organization of ~ 2,500 professional journalists, authors, editors, producers, public information officers, students, and people who write and produce material intended to inform the public about science, health, engineering, and technology. To learn more, visit www.nasw.org and follow NASW on LinkedIn.
