The Solutions Journalism Network (SJN), an independent non-profit organisation that advocates an evidence-based mode of reporting on the responses to social problems, has opened nominations for its 2024/2025 Solutions Journalism Network Awards, inviting journalists worldwide to submit outstanding examples of solutions journalism published between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
Entries opened on December 1, 2025, and will close on February 27, 2026.
The awards honour and celebrate excellence in solutions-focused reporting across the globe by highlighting stories that rigorously examine responses to social challenges. SJN aims to elevate standards in the craft and inspire more impactful journalism.
Submissions will be assessed based on the strength of the story in meeting the four pillars of solutions journalism, as defined by the Solutions Journalism Network. The submission’s adherence to the U.S.-based Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics and professional standards, including accuracy, fairness, and balance.
Entries will first be screened by SJN’s Solutions Story Tracker team before being reviewed by a diverse panel of judges drawn from SJN’s network of staff, accredited trainers, newsroom partners, journalism educators and working journalists.
The awards are open to journalists aged 18 and above from anywhere in the world, whether working independently or within newsrooms of any size.
Eligible entries must be original published works by the entrants, have been published or aired between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025, be submitted in English (subtitled works are acceptable if published that way), include a byline crediting an author or producer, be independently reported, not written about the author’s own initiative or organisation, demonstrate that neither the journalist nor the news outlet has a vested interest in the initiative covered, not be paid content, and not be substantially AI-generated without meaningful human reporting and verification.
Journalists may submit up to two bylined entries, with one submission form per entry. For series submissions, one representative story should be entered. Student journalists are also eligible and may indicate their status via a checkbox on the submission form.
Each submission must include a URL, publication date, title, author credit and news outlet name. For paywalled stories, entrants must provide a courtesy access link.
The top honour, General Excellence in Solutions Journalism, will be awarded to one overall winner selected from among specialist category winners. The recipient will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
Specialist categories include the Best of Solutions Journalism in News Articles, the Best of Solutions Journalism in Video, the Best of Solutions Journalism in Audio, the Best of Solutions Journalism in Visual Image, the Best of Solutions Journalism in Multimedia, and the Best of Student Solutions Journalism.
Each specialist category may award one first-place winner ($500), one second-place winner ($250), and one third-place winner ($150).
All award winners will be added to SJN’s Solutions Story Tracker, with finalists potentially included at the discretion of Story Tracker leadership. SJN reserves the right to reassign entries to different categories or withhold awards where appropriate.
Applicants should familiarise themselves with the Eligibility Requirements and Awards Categories sections, and make sure their published work encompasses the four pillars of solutions journalism. Interested applicants should visit here for more information, submit their entry via the online submission form, complete the form in its entirety, attach a link to the published work (must be a courtesy access link for paywalled pieces), and provide an optional brief comment (maximum 200-word count) on their submission.
For more information and to submit an entry, journalists should visit the official Solutions Journalism Network Awards webpage https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/what-you-can-do/awards.
