Military Reporters & Editors invites journalists to show us your best work published July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
WASHINGTON – Military Reporters & Editors (MRE) announces the opening of its 2026 journalism awards contest, recognizing outstanding reporting on military, defense, veterans, and national security issues across all media platforms.
The contest will accept entries from June 24, 2026, through July 26, 2026, honoring work published or broadcast between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
The annual MRE awards celebrate excellence in journalism that informs the public about the armed forces, defense policy, national security, veterans’ issues and the impact of military affairs around the world. The contest includes categories spanning text, broadcast, audio, photography, video, newsletters, podcasts and other digital storytelling formats.
As in recent years, all entries submitted across every category will be eligible for MRE’s highest honor, the Joseph L. Galloway Award for Distinguished Journalism, which carries a $1,000 cash prize and recognizes exceptional reporting selected by an independent panel of judges.
In addition, all text entries will be eligible for the James Crawley Award, which includes a $500 cash prize honoring outstanding written journalism.
Military Reporters & Editors updated its contest categories last year to reflect today’s evolving media landscape and the many ways audiences consume news. Those categories remain in place for the 2026 competition.
Contest details are available here. Complete registration and journalism contest entry information is available on the MRE contest website. Professional journalists plus journalism and media studies students are encouraged to submit their best work before 3:00 pm on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
MRE | Military Reporters & Editors Mission
- Advance the public understanding of the military, national security, and homeland defense.
- Represent the interests of working journalists to the government and military.
- Assure journalists have access to places where the U.S. military and its allies operate.
- Provide resources, support. educational and networking opportunities for members, fostering excellence in journalism.