With election coverage demanding newsrooms’ attention and members asking for additional time to prepare their entries, NENPA is extending the deadline for the 2026 New England Better Newspaper Competition to Friday, November 13.
Thank you to everyone who has already submitted entries. We appreciate the time and care you’ve put into showcasing your team’s accomplishments.
Visit the Better Newspaper Competition page for complete guidelines, category descriptions and entry requirements. To access the online entry portal, use the association code NENPA. You need to re-register every year, as the system is cleared annually.
For those still preparing submissions, this additional time is an opportunity to finish your entries, explore this year’s new and expanded categories, and recognize outstanding work across all three divisions:
- Editorial: With 84 categories and honors, the division recognizes excellence across reporting, opinion, design, digital journalism, photography, and special recognition. New categories include Explanatory Journalism, Data Journalism, Nature & Wildlife Reporting and Digital Innovation, alongside several updated or broadened categories.
Download the 2026 Editorial Division Guidelines - College Journalism: Updated to reflect today’s student newsrooms, the division recognizes work in print, online and across video, audio and social platforms. Top honors include Top College Journalist, College Rising Star and New England College Newspaper of the Year. A $150 package includes up to 15 entries, plus Newspaper of the Year at no additional charge.
Download the 2026 College Journalism Division Guidelines - Revenue Excellence: Redesigned for 2026, the competition celebrates outstanding advertising alongside audience growth, events, reader revenue, partnerships, new products, fundraising and business innovation. New honors include Salesperson of the Year and Revenue Team of the Year. If it worked, enter it!
Download the 2026 Revenue Excellence Awards Guidelines
Eligible work: August 1, 2025–July 31, 2026.
Friday, November 13 is the final deadline. No further extensions will be offered.
Winners will be recognized at the 2027 New England Newspaper Convention, with dates and location to be announced.
Your best work deserves to be recognized.
Enter the 2026 Better Newspaper Competition
Questions? Contact L.Conway@nenpa.com or T.Cleary@nenpa.com.