The 2026 New England Better Newspaper Competition is now open for entries!
NENPA’s Better Newspaper Competition recognizes outstanding journalism, student journalism, and the ideas and initiatives that strengthen news organizations and the communities they serve.
For 2026, the competition has been updated to better reflect the work being done across today’s news organizations, with refreshed categories and criteria and new opportunities across three divisions: Editorial, College Journalism and Revenue Excellence.
Eligible work: August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026
Entry deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026
2026 Competition Divisions
Editorial
The Editorial Division features 84 categories and honors across reporting, opinion, design, digital journalism, photography and special recognition. New categories for 2026 include Explanatory Journalism, Data Journalism, Nature & Wildlife Reporting and Digital Innovation, along with updates to several existing categories.
Download the 2026 Editorial Division Guidelines
College Journalism
Open to colleges and universities throughout New England, the College Division recognizes student journalism across print, online, digital, visual, audio and social platforms. Categories range from reporting, writing and photojournalism to podcasts, video, newsletters, social media and digital storytelling.
The $150 entry package includes up to 15 entries, with additional entries available for $15 each. Newspaper of the Year is included at no additional charge with the entry package.
Download the 2026 College Journalism Guidelines
Revenue Excellence
The Revenue Excellence Awards have been redesigned for 2026 to recognize how news organizations generate revenue, grow audiences and build stronger businesses. In addition to advertising, categories recognize digital marketing, audience growth, client success, events, reader revenue, partnerships, new products, fundraising and business innovation.
If it worked, enter it.
Download the 2026 Revenue Excellence Guidelines
Enter the Competition
Professional Editorial and Revenue Excellence entries are open to NENPA member news organizations in good standing. The College Journalism competition is open to colleges and universities throughout New England.
Entries are submitted through the NENPA competition portal using association code NENPA. Entrants must register for the 2026 competition even if they have participated in previous years.
Enter the 2026 Better Newspaper Competition
Awards will be presented at the 2027 New England Newspaper Convention, with dates and location to be announced.
Your best work deserves to be recognized.
Questions? Contact L.Conway@nenpa.com or T.Cleary@nenpa.com.
