IRE Awards

The 2024 IRE Awards are now open. Current IRE members can apply here.

The IRE Awards is the annual contest of Investigative Reporters and Editors 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.

The awards recognize outstanding investigative work in several categories. The top award given is the IRE Medal.

If you have questions about the IRE Awards, please check out our FAQ.

Categories

• Print/Online (written word) (Divisions I, II, III, IV)
• Video (Divisions I, II, III, IV)
• Audio (Large and Small)
• Book (no size specifications)
• Student (Large and Small)
• Special categories (any medium or size): Tom Renner, IRE FOI, Investigations Triggered by Breaking News, IRE Award for Sports Investigations, Longform Journalism in Audio, Longform Journalism in Video

Media Outlet Size

Division I: Newspapers with +400k circulation (largest single day, including digital replica); wire services; network or syndicated TV; *magazines, weeklies and online-only media with a national audience. For partnerships or collaborations, please enter by largest organization involved. The cost to enter is $100.

Division II: Newspapers with 151,000-399,999 circulation (largest single day, including digital replica); Top 20 television markets; *magazines, weeklies and online-only media with a regional audience. For partnerships or collaborations, please enter by largest organization involved. The cost to enter is $80.

Division III: Newspapers with 75,000-150,999 circulation (largest single day, including digital replica); 21-50 television markets; *magazines, weeklies and online-only media with a state-wide audience. For partnerships or collaborations, please enter by largest organization involved. The cost to enter is $60.

Division IV: Newspapers with less than 74,999 circulation (largest single day, including digital replica); Below 50 television markets; *magazines, weeklies, and online-only media with a city, county or metropolitan area focus. For partnerships or collaborations, please enter by largest organization involved. The cost to enter is $40.

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