The Kurt Schork Memorial Fund (KSMF), set up in memory of the American journalist Kurt Schork, who was killed in a military ambush while reporting in Sierra Leone in 2000, is now accepting entries for the 25th annual Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism. The awards honour the courage, integrity, and commitment of freelance journalists, local reporters, and news fixers, who work around the world to uncover the truth, often in the most dangerous and challenging conditions.
Freelance journalists, local reporters and news fixers from around the world are eligible to submit entries. Each winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize in recognition of their outstanding reporting and personal bravery.
The three award categories, which include the Freelance Award, Local Reporter Award, and News Fixer Award, are open to those reporting for print and online publications, and recognise the media professionals that Kurt particularly admired.
The Freelance Award honours freelance journalists who report from conflict zones, often at great personal risk, to document the impact of war and unrest.
The Local Reporter Award recognises the vital yet often overlooked work of journalists reporting on events within their countries, especially in developing nations or states undergoing political and social transitions.
The News Fixer Award celebrates the essential contributions of local journalists or experts, typically hired by foreign correspondents whose knowledge, insight, and support are critical to international reporting from difficult, dangerous, or hostile environments.
Eligible journalists interested in applying must submit three articles published between June 1, 2025, and June 14, 2026. Entries will be judged based on journalistic quality, impact, and the courage and persistence shown in reporting.
Applicants for the News Fixer Award must provide three references from foreign correspondents they supported during the same period. Judges will evaluate a broad range of skills, including news judgment, story suggestions, logistical assistance, and how the Fixer’s support enhanced the content and reach of the coverage. The News Fixer Award, introduced in 2016 and presented for the first time in 2017, was inspired by Anna Husarska, a freelance journalist, author, and close friend of Kurt Schork.
More details about eligibility and entry criteria, as well as the online entry forms and FAQs, can be found on the KSMF website.
Submissions close at midnight (BST, UTC+1) on June 14, 2026.
