Awards are open now! The deadline to enter is Friday, July 10, 2026.

We’re proud to launch the second year of the A-Mark Prizes, recognizing and celebrating outstanding investigative journalism that uncovers hidden truths, holds power to account, and drives meaningful public awareness or reform.

Building on a strong inaugural year, the awards continue to honor ambitious, deeply reported journalism that exposes wrongdoing, examines complex issues, and creates real impact in the communities we serve.

This contest is free to enter (NENPA membership not required) and open to journalists and publications based in New England whose primary medium is the written word, including reporters, columnists, investigative journalists, and freelancers, working in newspapers and online news sites. The work must have been published in print and/or online from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026.

In addition to professional recognition, winners receive monetary prizes and have their work prominently featured on our website. Select entries may also be used in promotional campaigns across our digital platforms and publications, shining a spotlight on your reporting far beyond your newsroom.

Each year, up to $15,000 in awards is available in every New England state to highlight work that protects the public’s right to know. If there are not enough entries in a state, or the judges determine that no entry is prize-worthy, we reserve the right to reduce the number of awards in any state, or not give any awards.

The prizes in each state (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) are as follows:
▪ 1st Place: $5,000 to journalist(s), $2,500 to the outlet
▪ 2nd Place: $3,000 to journalist(s), $1,500 to the outlet
▪ 3rd Place: $2,000 to journalist(s), $1,000 to the outlet
If a winning entry was produced by multiple reporters, the prize amount will be split evenly among them.

The Prizes are funded by the A-Mark Foundation, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to supporting and encouraging journalism and investigative reporting through grants to organizations that offer awards recognizing journalistic excellence.

This is your opportunity to inspire others, raise your profile, and be recognized for outstanding work.

All Publick Occurrences and First Amendment entries will automatically be entered for consideration in the A-Mark Prizes.

DOWNLOAD 2026 NEWSPAPER AWARDS GUIDELINES

All awards will be presented at the 2026 Fall Leadership Conference.

Questions? Please contact Linda Conway at l.conway@nenpa.com.

DOWNLOAD 2026 NEWSPAPER AWARDS GUIDELINES