IRE Awards

Size definitions for media outlets, and entry fees, depend on the category you're entering.

For Print/Online and Video categories

• INTERNATIONAL: This category is for outstanding international investigative reporting open to all media and market sizes. For partnerships or collaborations, please enter the largest organization involved.
  • Entry fee: $100
• NATIONAL: U.S. newspapers with 1 million+ circulation (print & digital); wire services; network or syndicated TV; magazines; weeklies and online-only media with a national audience. For partnerships or collaborations, please enter the largest organization involved.
  • Entry fee: $100
• REGIONAL/LARGE MARKET: U.S. newspapers with 100,000 to 999,999 circulation (print & digital); top 25 DMA TV and radio markets (according to Nielsen ratings); magazines, weeklies, and online-only media with a regional audience. For partnerships or collaborations, please enter the largest organization involved.
  • Entry fee: $80
• STATE/MEDIUM MARKET: U.S. newspapers with 50,000 to 99,999 circulation (print & digital); 26-80 DMA TV and radio markets (according to Nielsen ratings); magazines, weeklies, and online-only media with a statewide audience. For partnerships or collaborations, please enter the largest organization involved.
  • Entry fee: $60
• LOCAL/SMALL MARKET: U.S. newspapers with under 50K circulation (print & digital); 81+ DMA TV and radio markets (according to Nielsen ratings); magazines, weeklies and online-only media with a statewide audience. For partnerships or collaborations, please enter the largest organization involved.
  • Entry fee: $40

*For online-only news organizations, magazines and weeklies, size is determined by primary coverage area.

For Audio categories

• LARGE: National and regional news organizations as defined in the Print/Online specifications.
  • Entry fee: $100
• SMALL: State and local news organizations as defined in the Print/Online specifications.
  • Entry fee: $60

For the Student Work category

STUDENT AWARD – Large Team (6 or more students)

Original investigative reports completed by teams of six or more currently enrolled students (undergraduate or graduate, full- or part-time). The reporting, data analysis, interviews and writing must be the work of the students. Professors or faculty may serve in instructional, editor, fact-checking, or mentoring roles and may select the general topic for the project as long as all research and reporting are done by the students.

• Entries may be published or broadcast by a professional news organization, provided that:
  • The professional outlet contributed no reporting;
  • The editorial process is transparently described in a mandatory disclosure statement accompanying the entry (see below).

STUDENT AWARD – Small Team (2 - 5 students)

Original investigative reports completed by teams of two to five currently enrolled students (undergraduate or graduate, full- or part-time). The reporting, data analysis, interviews and writing must be the work of the students. Professors or faculty may serve in instructional, editor, fact-checking, or mentoring roles and may select the general topic for the project as long as all research and reporting are done by the students.

• Entries may be published or broadcast by a professional news organization, provided that:
  • The professional outlet contributed no reporting;
  • The editorial process is transparently described in a mandatory disclosure statement accompanying the entry (see below).

STUDENT AWARD - Individual

Original investigative reports completed by one currently enrolled student (undergraduate or graduate, full- or part-time). The reporting, data analysis, interviews and writing must be the work of the students. Professors or faculty may serve in instructional, editor, fact-checking or mentoring roles. Story ideas for this category must have originated with the student. Solo student entries with a story idea that originated with a professor or staff should enter the Small Team category instead.

• Entries may be published or broadcast by a professional news organization, provided that:
  • The professional outlet contributed no reporting
  • The editorial process is transparently described in a mandatory disclosure statement accompanying the entry (see below).

STUDENT AWARD - Best of Class for Exceptional Enterprise

Individual students may submit their own work featuring exceptional enterprise in investigative reporting. The entries may include stories (a maximum of three) published during the contest year that make effective use of data analysis, public records research, interviews, video and graphic elements, and/or other techniques that advance their reports. Entries must include a mandatory disclosure statement (see below).

Mandatory Disclosure (for all student categories):

Entrants must submit a statement describing how the work was conceived, reported, edited, and (if applicable) published or aired—including any contributions made by others for production or distribution purposes. This should briefly explain the educational context in which the work was produced, including how students developed and/or took ownership of the reporting process if broad topics were suggested by faculty. If the story was published by a professional outlet, the disclosure should describe any stylistic or technical adjustments made for publication and detail any professional contributions that were involved.

*Please note there is no entry fee for student work submissions.

For the Book category

Entry fee: $75

For special categories

Entry fee: $75

What are the judging criteria?

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:

• Substantially the product of the reporter’s own initiative and effort
• Uncovers 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
• Shows enterprise and excellence in documentation, data, storytelling, production, online presentation, and reader or viewer involvement where appropriate
• Results

Each IRE Awards category is reviewed by screeners. The screened entries move forward to the IRE Awards Committee, made up of members of the IRE Board and other elected and appointed investigative journalists. The Awards Committee determines the finalists, winners, and medalists of the IRE Awards. At the judges’ discretion, the decision may be made to give no award or award multiple entries in a given category.

Who is eligible for the contest?

Work that included any significant role by an IRE contest judge may not be entered in the contest. This often represents a significant sacrifice for the individual—and sometimes for an entire newsroom. It’s important to note that the IRE Awards program is unique in its efforts to avoid conflicts of interest.

Can IRE Board members enter?

IRE Board members who do not serve on either the Executive Committee or the Contest Committee are allowed to enter the IRE Awards.

IRE upholds the highest ethical standards in its contests to ensure that all judging is free from undue influence. Board members have no influence, involvement or insight into judging or selecting winners of the IRE Awards. The Awards are judged by a Contest Committee, which is a separate entity whose members are either elected by the membership or appointed by the Executive Director.

Contest Committee members are not eligible to enter or win the IRE Awards. Their news outlet is allowed to enter. Outlets can enter work that includes editing, oversight or other contributions by a committee member, as long as the work did not involve contributions by a committee member that would merit a byline or another prominent role (such as producer) that would generally be named on an award entry. If a potential conflict of interest arises, the committee member must discuss the issue with the committee chair and recuse themselves if warranted, including if they encounter work from their own outlet. If the issue is not resolved with the chair, it will be referred to the Executive Director for a decision on how to proceed.

Members of the Executive Committee, including the Board Chair, are also not allowed to enter. Their outlets are subject to the same rules as for members of the Contest Committee.

What work is eligible for the contest?

All work must have been published or aired between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of the award year. For the 2025 IRE Awards, that means work entered needs to have been published or aired between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025.

Entries that include significant investigative findings that were previously published or aired during a prior year are subject to unfavorable judging unless accompanied by a detailed explanation of which findings are new and why it was necessary to include previous work.

What actions would result in a disqualification?

Judges may disqualify any entry with an incomplete questionnaire. Failure to disclose known challenges to the accuracy or fairness of an entry may result in disqualification or other penalties. Work that included a significant role by a current IRE contest judge may not be entered. Entries disregarding the rules, such as including ads in video or audio will be subject to disqualification.

How do I participate?

You must be a current member to enter the IRE Awards. If you are not a member, you must join before proceeding with your entry. Entries with no current members listed will be disqualified.

For the 2025 IRE Awards, your membership must be current through June 30, 2026. If you're not sure whether your membership is current, here's how you can check:

• Log in to your IRE account, click "Account Profile" at the top right and then “Membership.”
• Your membership expiration date will be listed under "Active."

What if no one on my team is an IRE member?

At least one journalist named in the story's or series' byline must be a member. If you are not a member, you must join before proceeding with your entry. Entries with no current members listed will be disqualified.

Please note: You will need to enter the current member’s expiration date to proceed with the entry.

How much does it cost to enter?

Fees vary from $40 to $100 per entry based on your organization's size and the category you’re entering. Entry fees do not include an IRE membership. Membership fees range from $25 to $75, depending on your career status. Student members can enter for free.

*All fees are non-refundable.

Is there a limit to the number of entries I can submit?

No.

Do you accept entries in languages other than English?

Yes, but entries in other languages must then be accompanied by a translation of the story(ies) submitted. Video entries in a language other than English should include a translated script.

What are the differences between primary and supplemental materials?

For outstanding print/online categories:

• One story in a series is considered one piece of primary material.
• You are limited to five primary stories/elements.
• For series or projects that contain more than five stories, the best five stories should be selected.
• You may include one additional link and/or PDF as supplemental material. Supplemental material might be audio or video used elsewhere and not part of the original content, follow-up stories, editorials, etc., or elements that fall outside of the category limit (five stories for print/online and 30 minutes for audio and video).
• Each file upload has a maximum file size of 3MB.

For audio and video entries:

• The first 30 minutes of your video or audio file will be considered your primary material.
• For a series or project that contains multiple pieces, the best 30 mins can either be compiled into one piece or you can share up to five pieces total (not exceeding 30 mins total). 
• A transcript of your primary stories should also be included. 
• You may include one additional link and/or PDF as supplemental material. Supplemental material might be audio or video used elsewhere and not part of the original content, follow-up stories, editorials, etc., or elements that fall outside of the category limit (five stories for print/online and 30 minutes for audio and video).
• Each file upload has a maximum file size of 3MB.

What are the different types of awards given?

All winning entries, unless otherwise noted, will receive an IRE award. If the contest judges determine a story has special merit, an IRE Medal will be awarded.

What are the student categories?

STUDENT AWARD

For student award entries, the reporting, data analysis, interviews, writing, and editorial decisions must be the work of the students. Professors or faculty may serve in instructional, editor, fact-checking, or mentoring roles and may select the general topic for the project as long as all research and reporting are done by the students.

Entries may be published or broadcast by a professional news organization, provided that:

• The professional outlet contributed no reporting;
• The editorial process is transparently described in a mandatory disclosure statement accompanying the entry (see below).

Size definitions:

• Large Team (6 or more students): Original investigative reports completed by teams of six or more currently enrolled students (undergraduate or graduate, full- or part-time).
• Small Team (2-5 students): Original investigative reports completed by teams of two to five currently enrolled students (undergraduate or graduate, full- or part-time).
• Individual: Original investigative reports completed by one currently enrolled student (undergraduate or graduate, full- or part-time). Story ideas for this category must have originated with the student. Solo student entries with a story idea that originated with a professor or staff should enter the Small Team category instead.

STUDENT AWARD - Best of Class for Exceptional Enterprise

Individual students may submit their own work featuring exceptional enterprise in investigative reporting. The entries may include stories (a maximum of three) published during the contest year that make effective use of data analysis, public records research, interviews, video and graphic elements, and/or other techniques that advance their reports. Entries must include a mandatory disclosure statement (see below).

Mandatory disclosure for all student entries: Entrants must submit a statement describing how the work was conceived, reported, edited, and (if applicable) published or aired—including any contributions made by others for production or distribution purposes. This should briefly explain the educational context in which the work was produced, including how students developed and/or took ownership of the reporting process if broad topics were suggested by faculty. If the story was published by a professional outlet, the disclosure should describe any stylistic or technical adjustments made for publication and detail any professional contributions that were involved.

What do I need to include in my entry?

Print/Online

To be eligible for this category, your story must be primarily in print or online text. Any audio or video elements will be considered only as supplementary material.

Checklist:

• I am a current IRE member (or entering on behalf of one) through June 30, 2026.
• I have the date my current IRE membership expires (or the member you’re entering on behalf of). Day, month and year are required.
• I have filled out the contest questionnaire and saved it as a PDF.
• I have no more than five primary stories selected.
• I have included links to my stories, with login credentials if necessary to navigate a paywall, OR I have included a text version of my primary story(ies) in up to five documents.
• If I am submitting PDFs, each one is no larger than 3MB.
• I understand I can include a cover letter to the judges as supplemental material, but I am not required to do so.
• I understand that I can provide other supplemental material, but I am not required to do so.

Video

To be eligible for the category, your story must be primarily presented in video in entries under 30 minutes total. Longer reports can be condensed or alternatively entered in the IRE Longform Video category. Commercials and underwriting credits must be removed. Any text or audio elements will be considered supplementary material.

Checklist:

• I am a current IRE member (or entering on behalf of one) through June 30, 2026.
• I have the date my current IRE membership expires (or the member you’re entering on behalf of). Day, month and year are required.
• I have filled out the contest questionnaire and saved it as a PDF.
• I have no more than 30 minutes of video selected for my primary story(ies).
• I have removed all commercials, including sponsors, underwriting and house ads, from my video. This includes bumps and teasers that are not original editorial content or show opens that mention funders or advertising. I understand that any ads left in will result in disqualification.
• I have link(s) to my primary story(ies)
• I have saved the transcript of my primary entry materials as a PDF.
• I understand I can include a cover letter to the judges as supplemental material, but I am not required to do so.

Audio

To be eligible for this category, the story must be primarily presented in audio. If the investigation is more completely presented in a print/online version, submit in that category. This category is intended for audio entries under 30 minutes total. Longer audio reports can be condensed for length or alternatively entered in the IRE Longform Audio category. Commercials and underwriting credits must be removed.

Checklist:

• I am a current IRE member (or entering on behalf of one) through June 30, 2026.
• I have the date my current IRE membership expires (or the member you’re entering on behalf of). Day, month and year are required.
• I have filled out the contest questionnaire and saved it as a PDF.
• I have no more than 30 mins of audio selected for my primary story(ies).
• I have removed all commercials, including sponsors, underwriting and house ads, from my audio. This includes preroll, midroll and post role and anything that is not editorial content or show opens that mention funders or advertising. I understand that any ads left in will result in disqualification.
• I have the link(s) to my primary story(ies).
• I have saved the transcript of my primary entry materials as a PDF.
• I understand I can include a cover letter to the judges as supplemental material, but I am not required to do so.

Students

Checklist:

• I am a current IRE member (or entering on behalf of one) through June 30, 2026.
• I have the date my current IRE membership expires (or the member you’re entering on behalf of). Day, month and year are required. 
• I have filled out the contest questionnaire and saved it as a PDF.
• My primary material is prepared, as outlined in the print/online, audio or video categories in which my story(ies) appeared.
• The editorial process is transparently described in a mandatory disclosure statement accompanying my entry.

Books

For outstanding investigative reporting that resulted in a published book.

• I understand that only eBooks are accepted for submission, and I have a link or a PDF ready. 
• I have filled out the contest questionnaire and saved it as a PDF.

Special Categories

Special category awards are applicable to any medium, any size circulation or market.

• I have followed the guidelines above for entering based on platform. 
• I have filled out the contest questionnaire and saved it as a PDF.

Tom Renner Award: For the best investigative reporting, whether a single story or a lifetime body of work, in print/online, video, audio or book form, covering organized crime or other criminal acts. This award comes with an IRE Medal for Outstanding Crime Reporting and $500. Please refer to the platform-specific rules for the required entry material. (Limited to 10 stories)

IRE FOI Award: Honors an 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. Please refer to the platform-specific rules for the required entry material.

Investigations Triggered by Breaking News: For outstanding investigative work done within 30 days of a news event or development. This award honors deep and quick digging that uses investigative techniques to produce exclusive and timely information for readers or viewers. Please refer to the platform-specific rules for the required entry material.

IRE Award for Sports Investigations: This award honors investigations that dig into the darker side of sports from amateur leagues to professional organizations. Please refer to the platform-specific rules for the required entry material.

Longform Journalism in Audio: For outstanding investigative work primarily presented in audio. Examples include podcasts, audio-focused online works and episodic audio projects that consist of more than 30 minutes of work. There is no time limit or limit on the number of pieces that can be submitted per project.

Longform Journalism in Video: For outstanding investigative work primarily presented in video. Examples include documentaries, digital video storytelling and episodic video projects that consist of more than 30 minutes of work. There is no time limit or limit on the number of pieces that can be submitted from a single project.

When will the judging be complete?

April 2026.

Whom should I contact if I have more questions?

Please email awards@ire.org.