Military Reporters & Editors
GENERAL FAQ
What are the contest dates?
- The 2024 MRE Journalism Contest opens May 17.
- The 2024 MRE Journalism Contest now closes June 28.
Who can enter?
- Print, digital, broadcast and visual journalists, or teams who cover the military, military affairs, troops and veterans or their families, or national security, defense or war are eligible to enter the contest.
- Correspondants and freelancers meeting the above criteria are also eligible.
- Students enrolled full- or part-time in graduate, undergraduate or high school are eligible to submit an entry.
- Military Reporters & Editors (MRE) officers and board of directors are not eligible.
Who judges the MRE Contest?
- Judging is done by a panel independent of MRE, its officers and board of directors.
- All decisions by the judges are final.
When are winners announced?
- Winners will be notified at the conclusion of judging.
- Winning entries will be posted on the MRE website – https://www.militaryreporters.org.
- Winners are encouraged to attend the awards ceremony held in October in Washington, D.C.
How do I enter the contest?
- You can access the contest at https://www.mrecontest.org.
- Or click the button below.
See the contest details page for award and entry categories.
OFFICIAL RULES
2024 MRE Journalism Contest
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
- All work must have been originally published, broadcast, aired or posted in the English language.
CALENDAR YEAR 2023
- All work must have been originally published, broadcast, aired or posted between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023.
PUBLICATION DATE
- All work must have a publication, broadcast, air or posting date listed on the article(s).
ENTRY FEE
- A $50 entry fee must be paid for the first entry.
- A $25 entry fee must be paid for additional entries.
- Active MRE members may receive an entry fee waiver for their first contest entry.
- Application for membership must be approved and membership active before a contest entry is submitted for the member to be eligible for the fee waiver.
- The MRE membership fee waiver cannot be applied retroactively.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
ENTRY FORM
- A completed entry form must be submitted with each entry.
ENTRY DEADLINE
- All entries must now be submitted by 5:00 p.m. EST Friday, June 28, 2024.
BIOGRAPHY
- A one-paragraph biography for each journalist named on an entry is required.
HEADSHOT
- A headshot for each journalist named on an entry is requested.
ACCEPTABLE FILE FORMATS
- PDF for printed matter
- MP3 files for audio material
- MP4 files for video material
- JPG or PNG for images
LINKS and URLS
- Links must be valid and accessible.
- Links to work must be provided if published online.
- Links behind paywalls must include login credentials.
- Instructions to access article(s) behind paywall must be provided.
- Links must remain active for a period of one year.
THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES
- The use of and links to third-party websites such as YouTube or SoundCloud is permissible.
REPRINT PERMISSION
- By submitting an entry form permission is granted to Military Reporters & Editors to display winning entries on the MRE website free of any obligations to an individual entrant or parent company.
ENTRY DISQUALIFICATION
- An entry may be disqualified if contest rules are not followed.
- Broken or faulty links may disqualify and entry.
MEDIA AND CATEGORY RULES
Rules for PRINT MEDIA
Breaking News | Enterprise | Investigative Submission Requirements
- Article submission should be in the format of a PDF document with the publication or wire service name and date listed.
- If the article appeared online, a link should be provided.
- One entry may include up to four different single articles by the same author(s) or up to four articles in one series submission.
Rules for Commentary Entry
Commentary Submission Requirements
- Entry must include five columns.
- Each column should be provided in the format of a PDF document with the publication name and date listed.
- If the columns appeared online, a link should be provided for each.
Rules for Broadcast News Entry
Broadcast News Submission Requirements
- Entry may not exceed 15 minutes in length.
- Entry may be edited for time.
- Edits must be clearly indicated by a tone or silence.
- Air date(s) must be provided.
- Entry should include a cover letter.
- An MP4 file may be uploaded and/or a link may be provided – YouTube or SoundCloud are also permissible.
- If available, please submit a transcript in a PDF document.
Rules for TV Documentary | Docuseries Entry
TV Documentary | Docuseries Submission Requirements
- Entry may not exceed 30 minutes in length.
- Entry may be edited for time.
- Edits must be clearly indicated by a tone or silence.
- Entry should include a cover letter with a description of the scope of the coverage and its impact.
- An MP4 file may be uploaded and/or a link may be provided – YouTube or SoundCloud are also permissible.
- If available, please submit a transcript in a PDF document.
Rules for Radio Entry
Radio Submission Requirements
- Entry may not exceed 15 minutes in length.
- Entry may be edited for time.
- Edits must be clearly indicated by a tone or silence.
- An MP3 file may be uploaded and/or a link may be provided – YouTube or SoundCloud are also permissible.
- If available, please submit a transcript in a PDF document.
Rules for Podcast Entry
Podcast Submission Requirements
- Entry may not exceed 30 minutes in length.
- Edits can include clearly audible edits.
- Entry should include a cover letter with a description of the podcast and credits for any sponsoring organization or names of individuals.
- An MP3 or MP4 file may be uploaded and/or a link may be provided – YouTube or SoundCloud are also permissible.
- If available, please submit a transcript in a PDF document.
Rules for Photojournalism Entry
Photojournalism Submission Requirements
- Up to five images may be submitted as either a single or series entry.
- Images should be submitted in JPG format.
- PDF file(s) showing the print or online publication of the photographs, including the name of the publication, date and url, should be included.
- Please provide links if possible.
Rules for Student Project Entry
Student Project Eligibility and Requirements
- To be eligible, the entire project must have been produced only by enrolled students receiving academic credit for the work being entered or must be work created for a student publication.
- Work produced for pay is not eligible for a student award (that is, freelance work, etc. Receipt of student aid is not a disqualifier).
- Work that was created by a student for credit but then made available to a commercial publication is allowed but should be explained in the entry.