Eligibility Criteria & Submission Guidelines

The application incorporates ways of looking at the individual* holistically through narrative responses and work examples. Both the narrative components of the submission and the work example(s) provided will be included in the evaluation. Reviewers are not only looking at what an applicant has done, but also their commitment to continuing work in the field of science communication and/or journalism.

We recognize the importance of teamwork to many science communication and journalism endeavors; however, these awards are for individuals who are on the frontlines of science communication or journalism, and who are in career stages or settings where recognition could have a significant impact on their future career trajectory.

About You

You are encouraged to apply if you work in one of the categories described on the subsequent tab, and you:

• Can articulate what motivates you to create work(s) that improve the public’s interest, appreciation, or understanding of science, engineering or medicine, and their impact on society.
• Have a passion for science communication or journalism and can tell us how you got here and where you are headed.
• Have at least one outstanding example of science communication or journalism that demonstrates your potential or ability to communicate the issues, beauty, societal benefits, complexities, shortcomings, and/or controversies of science, engineering, and/or medicine.
• Can set forth a compelling case for what this award would mean to you.

About Your Work

You will be asked to provide at least one – and no more than three – outstanding example(s) that clearly support the subcategory to which you are applying, and:

• Communicate scientific, engineering, and medical concepts to non-technical audiences;
• Demonstrate clarity, creativity, originality, and accuracy;
• Address issues and/or advances in science, engineering, and/or medicine;
• Cover topics that have an impact on society;
• Are accessible to a broad public audience; and
• Have been published or released anytime in 2022.

A broad range of science communications and journalism are encouraged – from magazine/newspaper articles, documentaries, TV and radio segments to podcasts, newsletters, social media outreach, mixed media works and installations, and public talks.

Science fiction, reference books, textbooks, peer-reviewed articles, testimony, advertorials, and/or branded corporate content are not eligible for consideration. Previous winners of this award, National Academies and Schmidt Futures employees, and committee and jury members are not eligible, and posthumous awards are not permitted. This award is not for lifetime achievement.

Timeline

All entries must be submitted online by May 5, 2023.

April 4, 2023:	Submission process opens
May 5, 2023:	Submission process closes
Fall/Winter 2023:	Winners announced

FAQs

Q: It appears that I can submit to more than one category. Should I submit to both?

A: No. Submit to the category that most closely aligns with your situation in 2022, and the work example(s) provided. Duplicate submissions will not be considered. Even if you have created works in multiple categories, the work example(s) you provide should support the category in which you choose to submit.

Please select the category and work example(s) that most closely match your situation and the work example(s) provided.

Q: Am I more applicable to the Science Journalist: Freelance or Science Communicator: Independent category?

A: We understand that award candidates can work between disciplines, and this is especially true among freelance, independent, or other self-employed sectors. If the majority of your work in 2022 and the work example(s) you provided were produced for news outlets or sources, you are encouraged to submit to the Science Journalist: Freelance category. If you were self-employed, working outside of journalism in 2022, and reaching audiences not reached through traditional journalistic media, you are encouraged to submit to the Science Communicator: Independent category.

For example, if you are a freelance journalist that typically produces journalistic content for media organizations but worked as an independent to develop communications for a museum, then you should submit to one of the Science Communications categories (see additional clarification), and do not include journalistic content work examples in your entry. Please select the category and work examples that most closely match your situation and the work example(s) provided.

Q: Am I more applicable to the Science Communicator: Independent or Science Communicator: Organizational category?

A: If you are an independent science communicator who was contracted by an organization to produce the work example(s) provided – and it was (and they were) produced outside of the organizational structure – then apply as Science Communicator: Independent. If you were integrated in the organization and leveraged the organizational resources to produce the work example(s) provided, then apply as Science Communicator: Organizational. You will have an opportunity to further articulate your involvement in the work example(s) provided on the application.

Q: My work example(s) were part of a team effort. How do I acknowledge other team members’ contributions?

A: We recognize the importance of teamwork to many science communication and journalism endeavors; however, these awards are for individuals who are at the frontlines of science communication or journalism, and who are in career stages or settings where recognition could have a significant impact on their future career trajectory. Additionally, you will be asked to articulate your specific contribution to the work example(s) provided.

Q: Are there preferred content areas or mediums?

A: No. The program will consider all high-quality submissions that address issues and advances in science, engineering, and/or medicine for the general public.

Process

1. Register

Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.

2. Login

Login with your new email and password.

3. Create

Create your online application. 

4. Save

During the Call for Submissions period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and links or attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.

5. Submit

On completion, save your Submission as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Submissions period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.

If you require assistance or additional information, please send your comments/questions.