IRE Awards | Frequently Asked Questions
What are the IRE Awards?
Who is eligible for the contest?
What are the judging criteria?
How do I participate?
Can you send me an example of a contest entry to help me prepare my entry?
How much does it cost to enter?
What work is eligible for the contest?
Where do I send my entries?
What is the deadline for entering the contest?
What actions would result in a disqualification?
Is there a limit to the amount of entries I can submit?
Do you accept entries in languages other than English?
What are the different types of awards?
How many categories are there and what are they?
What must my entry include?
When will the judging be complete?
Who should I call if I have any other questions?
What are the IRE Awards?
The IRE Awards is the annual contest of Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. recognizing the best in investigative reporting by print, broadcast and online media.
After judging, all entries are placed in IRE's Resource Center story library so that IRE members may learn from others' triumphs and troubles. The contest helps identify techniques and resources used by the entrants.
Who is eligible for the contest?
It's important to note that the IRE Awards program is unique in its efforts to avoid conflicts of interest. Work that included any significant role by a member of the IRE Board of Directors or an IRE contest judge may not be entered in the contest. This often represents a significant sacrifice on the part of the individual -- and sometimes an entire newsroom. The IRE membership appreciates this devotion to the values of the organization. (See current board members)
This year's elected contest judges (who will join an appointed contest task force):
- Neil Reisner, Florida International University
What are the judging criteria?
Entries are processed at IRE's offices and then sent to contest screeners across the country. The screeners - two in each category - then send the finalists to the judges. Judges have the ability to look beyond the finalists, as well as to move entries into more appropriate categories.
It's important to note that the IRE Awards program is unique in its efforts to avoid conflicts of interest. Work that included any significant role by a member of the IRE Board of Directors or an IRE contest judge may not be entered in the contest. This often represents a significant sacrifice on the part of the individual -- and sometimes an entire newsroom. The IRE membership appreciates this devotion to the values of the organization.
Entries will be judged on the basis of the IRE definition of investigative reporting:
- "The reporting, through one's own initiative and work product, of matters of importance to readers, viewers or listeners. In many cases, the subjects of the reporting wish the matters under scrutiny to remain undisclosed."
- Thus, entries will be judged on the following criteria. They must:
- be substantially the product of the reporter's own initiative and effort
- uncover facts that someone or some agency may have tried to keep from public scrutiny
- be about issues of public importance to the readers, viewers or listeners
How do I participate?
The postmark deadline for entry in the 2009 awards is Jan. 15, 2010. (We have extended the postmark deadline from the original due date of January 8, 2010.)
Download .txt file of questionnaire (To save a local copy right-click and save link)
Can you send me an example of a contest entry to help me prepare my entry?
To view an example of a successful contest entry, you can purchase a copy
of a winner or finalist from a previous contest. View past award winners
and finalists at www.ire.org/contest/past.html, make your selection(s), write down the story number, and contact the IRE Resource Center at 573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org. You can also search for the
phrase "contest entry" in the IRE Resource Center story database at
http://www.ire.org/resourcecenter/search.php.
How much does it cost to enter?
$55 for members of IRE. (Membership must be current through February 1, 2010.)
$115 for nonmembers. ($55 entry fee, plus a one-year membership fee of $60.)
$25 for students who are not current members of IRE. (This fee includes a one-year student membership.)
Students who are current IRE members do not have to pay an entry fee. (Membership must be current through Feb. 1, 2010.)
All fees are non-refundable.
What work is eligible for the contest?
All work must have been published or aired between Jan. 1, 2009 thru Dec. 31, 2009.
Where do I send my entries?
Return a completed entry form to:
- 2009 IRE Awards
- 141 Neff Annex
- Missouri School of Journalism
- Columbia, MO 65211
What is the deadline for entering the contest?
Jan. 8, 2010. This is a postmark deadline.
What actions would result in a disqualification?
Entries disregarding the rules included in the form will be subject to disqualification. Work that included a significant role by a current member of the IRE Board of Directors or an IRE contest judge may not be entered.
Is there a limit to the amount of entries I can submit?
There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit or the number of stories you may submit per entry, except for the Tom Renner Award, which has a limit of 10 stories. However, if the same story is entered in two categories, that constitutes two (2) separate entries. For each category you enter, you will need to submit a complete entry (3 complete packets, an electronic questionnaire on CD, and payment).
Do you accept entries in languages other than English?
We accept entries in languages other than English but require three (3) complete copies of printed translations for each entry.
What are the different types of awards?
Newspaper, TV, Online and Other Media: An IRE Medal for Outstanding Investigative Reporting OR an IRE Certificate of Recognition.
NEW: Breaking News Investigation: An IRE Certificate OR an IRE Medal of Recognition for outstanding investigative work done within 30 days of a news event or development.
IRE FOI Award: An IRE Medal honoring an individual or organization whose actions further open records or open government.
Tom Renner Award: An IRE Medal for Outstanding Crime Reporting and $500.
Student Award: An IRE Certificate of Recognition and a $250 cash scholarship for Outstanding Investigative Reporting.
How many categories are there and what are they?
Newspapers: For outstanding investigative reporting at a daily or weekly newspaper. (Use highest one-day circulation of the week. Wire service entries fall under the largest newspaper category.)
- Circulation less than 100,000
- Circulation between 100,000 and 250,000
- Circulation between 250,000 and 500,000
- Circulation more than 500,000 (or wire service entry)
- Local circulation weekly
Television: For outstanding investigative reporting by a television outlet.
- Network or syndicated program
- Top 20 market
- Below Top 20 market
- International entries will be placed into appropriate categories by IRE staff. Contest judges can then move entries into other categories. IRE will award a special citation for deserving international work.
Other Media: For outstanding investigative reporting in other mediums
- Magazine/Specialty Publication
- Book
- Radio
- Online
Special Categories: (Any medium, any size circulation or market)
- Tom Renner Award: For the best investigative reporting, whether a single story or a lifetime body of work, in print, broadcast or book form, covering organized crime or other criminal acts. This award comes with An IRE Medal for Outstanding Crime Reporting and $500. (Limited to 10 stories)
- IRE FOI Award: Honors individual or organization whose significant actions further open records or open government. This award comes with an IRE Medal honoring an individual or organization whose actions further open records or open government.
- NEW: Breaking News Investigation: For outstanding investigative work done within 30 days of a news event or development. (Limit to 5 stories.) This award may be either an IRE Certificate or an IRE Medal of Recognition.
- Student Work: Outstanding investigative reporting by a student in a college-affiliated newspaper, magazine or specialty publication (or while serving a print internship), or broadcast work that has been publicly reviewed, screened or aired. This award comes with an IRE Certificate of Recognition and a $250 cash scholarship for Outstanding Investigative Reporting.
International entries will be placed into appropriate categories by IRE staff. Contest judges can then move entries into other categories. IRE can award a special citation for deserving international work.
What must my entry include?
Payment must accompany your entry. Do NOT send under separate cover.
Print Entries:
- - You must submit three (3) collated entry packets. Each packet should contain:
- - A completed entry form
- - A completed questionnaire
- - A printed copy of the entry: Entries must be formatted for 8.5x11” or 11x17” paper. They can be electronically prepared or "cut and paste." Electronically prepared documents are to be created in InDesign or similar design program. These can NOT be reductions of the newsprint. (If electronically prepared, please include the PDF file(s) of story package on CD with the electronic questionnaire.)
- - One (1) CD containting a copy of the questionnaire (Word document or PDF), and a copy of entry if prepared electronically
- - Payment for entry (by check or credit card)
- - Please place the three (3) packets, one (1) CD, and payment in an envelope or folder and write the title of the entry on the outside.
TV Entries:
- - You must submit three (3) collated entry packets. Each packet must contain:
- - A completed entry form
- - A completed questionnaire
- - A transcript printed on 8.5" x 11" paper
- - A copy of the broadcast entry on DVD. (Please label all three DVDs with the entry name, run time and affiliation.)
- - One (1) CD containting a copy of the questionnaire (Word document or PDF)
- - Payment for entry (by check or credit card)
- - Please place the three (3) packets, one (1) CD, and payment in an envelope or folder and write the title of the entry on the outside.
Radio Entries:
- - You must submit three (3) collated entry packets. Each packet must contain:
- - A completed entry form
- - A completed questionnaire
- - A transcript printed on 8.5" x 11" paper
- - A copy of the radio broadcast on CD. (Please label all three CDs with the entry name, run time and affiliation.)
- - One (1) CD containting a copy of the questionnaire (Word document or PDF)
- - Payment for entry (by check or credit card)
- - Please place the three (3) packets, one (1) CD, and payment in an envelope or folder and write the title of the entry on the outside.
- - You must submit three (3) collated entry packets. Each packet must contain:
- - A completed entry form
- - A completed questionnaire
- - A copy of the book
- - One (1) CD containting a copy of the questionnaire (Word document or PDF)
- - Payment for entry (by check or credit card)
- - Please place the three (3) packets, one (1) CD, and payment in an envelope or folder and write the title of the entry on the outside.
Online Entries:
- - You must submit three (3) collated entry packets. Each packet must contain:
- - A completed entry form
- - A completed questionnaire
- - A printed copy of the online Web pages, including the sites URL
- - A CD containing the Web pages if they cannot easily be reached online by the judges
- - One (1) CD containting a copy of the questionnaire (Word document or PDF)
- - Payment for entry (by check or credit card)
- - Please place the three (3) packets, one (1) CD, and payment in an envelope or folder and write the title of the entry on the outside.
When will the judging be complete?
Judging will be completed by April 2010.
Who should I call if I have any other questions?
Please call the IRE Resource Center at 573-882-6668 or
for assistance in submitting contest entries.
