2026 Journalism Submission Guidelines, Requirements and FAQs

For work published in print or online in 2025.

Deadline: January 26, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

How the Prizes in Journalism are awarded

Each spring, the Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism are awarded in 15 categories by Columbia University on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize Board. The purpose of this document is to clarify the entry process, highlight recent changes and anticipate questions that arise when assembling an entry.

The Pulitzer Prize Board seeks to honor the best of American journalism and invites entries from U.S. newspapers, magazines, wire services and online news sites. U.S. news sites associated with broadcast and audio outlets are now eligible, although entries from these organizations should rely essentially on written journalism. Introduced in 2020, the Audio Reporting category remains open to independent American producers (including those which do not identify as news organizations) and U.S. broadcast outlets. In all cases, entries must adhere to the highest journalistic principles.

In all categories, Pulitzer judges want to review the material as it was released to the public. We prize original groundbreaking reporting and unique storytelling. In 11 categories, entries may include a variety of formats: text, photo, video and audio. In two categories – Breaking News Photography and Feature Photography – entries are restricted to still images. The Feature Writing category gives prime consideration to quality of writing.

All entries must be submitted through the Pulitzer entry site using our online entry form.

Any person may submit material to the Pulitzer Prize competition, including editors, journalists or members of the public. To be eligible for consideration, work must have appeared in a regularly published U.S. newspaper, magazine, wire service or news site.

An entry must indicate the category in which it is submitted and include a biography, picture and contact information for any individual journalist named. We ask that entry preparers provide the most accurate available email address for each named entrant in lieu of a staff address.

Juries of distinguished journalists in each category deliberate in the winter to evaluate Pulitzer entries. Each jury nominates three entries as finalists and submits them to the Pulitzer Board, which chooses the winners. Under the will of Joseph Pulitzer, the Board is charged with the responsibility and authority to accept, substitute or reject the nominations of the jurors.

Please see the Plan of Award for the definitions of the 15 categories.

How to submit an entry

All entries must be submitted through the Pulitzer entry site using our online entry form.

Any person may submit material to the Pulitzer Prize competition, whether an editor of a news organization, an individual journalist or a reader. To be eligible for consideration, work must derive from a U.S. newspaper, magazine, wire service or news site that publishes regularly.

PLEASE READ: Recent competition changes

Eligibility of U.S. Broadcast Media Sites: Since the 2024 cycle, digital news sites operated by broadcast and audio organizations have been eligible in most Journalism categories. Entries from these organizations should rely essentially on written journalism. Video-only entries are ineligible in all categories. Additionally, audio and broadcast media organizations may not enter work in the Feature or Breaking News Photography categories (see “Eligibility of broadcast news sites” FAQ below).
Revisions to Photography Eligibility Requirements: Entries in Breaking News Photography and Feature Photography must now also include original, unedited (i.e. as recorded by the camera) versions of the submitted images. Screenshots of camera-recorded images are not accepted. A prompt on the entry form will enable entrants to submit folders with the camera-recorded images via file-sharing platforms. Please note that camera-recorded images also must be provided for photos entered in non-Photography categories (such as Public Service or Explanatory Reporting). Proof of publication is still required in all Photography entries and for photos entered in non-Photography categories.
Beginning in the 2026 cycle, a new prompt on the entry questionnaire requires Breaking News Photography and Feature Photography entrants to attest that no AI tools were used in their entered work.
Separate Transcript Uploader for Audio Reporting: Although transcripts have been required in the Audio Reporting category for several years, they must be entered via a separate uploader. You will not be able to complete your entry until a transcript file is furnished.
Reintroduction of Beat Reporting: In November 2025, the Board revived the long-defunct Beat Reporting category (last awarded in 2006). In its present iteration, Beat Reporting is intended to reward sustained reporting by up to two people assigned to a particular beat during the calendar year. (3+ team member and staff entries are prohibited in the category.) Beats may be local, statewide or national. They can be traditional areas of coverage, such as police and court reporting, or ongoing coverage of such topics as immigration, education, politics, sports, business, the arts, the military or the environment. They also may be new or unusual beats. We encourage news organizations and individuals to think expansively. This category is intended to stand apart from the Breaking News Reporting and Local Reporting categories.
Amalgamation of Commentary and Editorial Writing into Opinion Writing: Likewise, a new Opinion Writing category (also introduced in November 2025) combines the previous Editorial Writing and Commentary categories. This is for distinguished editorials, columns or other written commentary, augmented by any available journalistic tool, that contains well-reasoned and compelling arguments on topics of public interest, whether originally researched and reported, or informed by analysis or personal experience. The test of excellence is clarity, moral purpose, sound logic, engaging prose, and power to influence public opinion.
New timeframe for Breaking News Reporting: Reportage in this category is limited to the first week after the initial event.
Definition change in Local Reporting: The category recognizes distinguished examples of coverage of "significant issues of concern to a local community, city or state, demonstrating originality and continuous community connection, using any available journalistic tool."
Paywall/Login Credentials field: A dedicated Paywall/Login Credentials field is now available on Step Four.

Limits on submissions

Individual news organizations may submit no more than three individual entries in any one category. Individual journalists from eligible publications may self-submit even if the publication submits three entries. (See partnership guidelines below.)
The same content cannot be entered in more than two categories.
Up to five individuals may be named on a team entry. They should be the strongest contributors to the work. Projects on which more than five journalists made substantial contributions must be submitted as staff entries. Please note that staff and larger team entries are not permitted in the revived Beat Reporting category, where entries are limited to two entrants.
No more than 15 items are permitted in a single entry package for the categories of Public Service, Illustrated Reporting and Commentary, Breaking News Photography and Feature Photography.
Public Service entries may include editorials, cartoons, photographs, graphics, videos, interactive graphics, databases and blogs.
Illustrated Reporting and Commentary entries may include still or animated images. Still images should be submitted as jpgs.
No more than seven items are permitted in a single entry package for the categories of Breaking News Reporting, Investigative Reporting, Explanatory Reporting, Beat Reporting, Local Reporting, National Reporting, International Reporting, Criticism, Opinion Writing and Audio Reporting.
No more than five items are permitted in a single entry package for the category of Feature Writing.

Partnership guidelines

Each organization that is eligible for a Pulitzer Prize may submit up to three joint entries per category, in addition to their organization's limit of three entries.
Pulitzer entries from partnering organizations generally fall into two categories. In the first, the journalism is produced by two or more news organizations that each receive equal or substantial public credit. If this is the case, an entry must be submitted in the name of both organizations. Only one of the partners need enter the package, but it will count toward each contributing organization's total of joint entries in the category.
The second type of partnership entry is when one news organization conducts the preponderance of the journalism and receives primary credit in the presentation and supporting partners have made secondary contributions, such as additional reporting, research or editorial support. These partnerships do not require a joint entry, and do not count against the partnership total of the supporting partner. But a description of the collaboration should be included in the entry questionnaire.
If an entry with a supporting partner becomes a finalist or a winner, the supporting partner may be identified in the citation at the Board's discretion, but they are not identified as a Pulitzer finalist or winner.
Significant individual contributors from ineligible news organizations may be identified in partnership entries and may be Pulitzer finalists or winners. The ineligible organization itself will not be named under the current rules.

Other rules/clarifications

To submit entries, please visit the How to Enter page. Please read the material there and then proceed to the entry site, where you will be guided through the process.

Each entrant must complete the online entry form and pay a nonrefundable handling fee of $75 via credit card. Also:

An entry must indicate the category in which it is submitted and include a biography and picture of any individual journalist named.
An entrant must complete the questionnaire in the online form to provide requested information and background on the entry, such as how its subject came to light, any obstacles overcome in producing the work and any innovative techniques used in researching, reporting or telling the story, including AI tools.
The questionnaire includes a section on supplemental materials in support of the entry and asks about any significant challenges to the honesty, fairness and accuracy of the entry.
Please include any optional letters of support in the supplemental file. The Pulitzer Prize Office cannot guarantee that these letters will be read by the judges.
The Short Summary on Step Three of the entry form is limited to 255 characters. Each questionnaire response on Step Four is limited to 2,000 characters, including spaces and carriage breaks. You may hyperlink words or phrases in your questionnaire responses.
To facilitate juror access, entrants should place URLs outside any paywall. If that proves infeasible, the entrant should place a simple username and password for jurors in the new Paywall/Login Credentials field under the questionnaire on Step Four. URLs must remain active and accessible until the Prizes are announced.
If you are self-submitting URLs from a paywalled news organization, you are responsible for providing login credentials. If you do not want to provide your personal login, please work with the organization to secure credentials before preparing your entry.
Video items must be submitted as URLs. If feasible, we ask that you minimize pre-roll ads to the best of your ability.
Audio items must be submitted as URLs.
In the photography categories, no entry whose content is manipulated or altered, apart from standard cropping and editing, will be deemed acceptable.
Duplicate entry material must be provided if the same content is entered in two categories.
Redundant spaces inserted in the URL portion of a Web Entry item will lead to system errors and prevent you from proceeding to the next step. Please check each URL.

Frequently asked questions

In general

What material is eligible?

What is a “news site?” How does it differ from a newspaper?

We mean U.S. online entities ranging from wire services to magazines to publications that gather and disseminate news, opinion and other information of public interest using the highest journalistic principles and standards.

What does the Pulitzer Board mean when it says that "entries must adhere to the highest journalistic principles?"

The Board is committed to honoring work that exemplifies the longstanding ethics of the journalistic profession. These include a commitment to honesty with both readers and the subjects of our work. The best journalism is transparent about its sources and methods. The rigor and completeness of sourcing is an important factor in judging the quality of submissions, whether it involves attribution in the text, footnotes or the citation of documents. These standards apply to all entrants regardless of the medium or form of the entries.

In addition, the Prizes recognize and celebrate independent and groundbreaking work, enterprise reporting that holds public officials accountable, dedication to the public good and "general cussedness" or dogged pursuit of the story in face of closed doors.

Can an eligible news organization enter work that is published in partnership with an ineligible organization?

Yes – if the eligible organization does the preponderance of the work and publishes it at least simultaneously with the ineligible partner. It is up to the entrant to demonstrate that it primarily conceived and produced the work. The Board will make eligibility decisions, as necessary, on a case-by-case basis. If the entry wins a prize, only significant individual contributors from ineligible organizations may be listed among the winners.

If I believe that my website or publication is a news site or newspaper, will it be eligible?

Eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Is an entry’s public impact important?

Yes, the Board will weigh public impact, among other factors, and an entry may include material that demonstrates evidence of impact, such as the spurring of legislative action or prosecution of lawbreakers. The Board is also interested in reader engagement as a gauge of impact.

Items demonstrating impact may be included in the entry itself (if they are journalistic pieces that appeared during the eligibility period) or in omnibus form in the supplemental file.

Are freelance journalists eligible?

Freelance reporters, photographers, cartoonists, columnists, critics or bloggers who produce work in print or online may enter the competition if their submitted work has been published by eligible newspapers, magazines or news sites during the calendar year. Freelancers have won Pulitzer Prizes.

Eligibility of broadcast news sites

Are audio and broadcast news sites allowed to enter for a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism?

The Pulitzer Prize Board seeks to honor the best of American journalism and invites entries from U.S. newspapers, magazines, wire services and digital news sites. News sites associated with broadcast and audio outlets are eligible so long as the entry relies essentially on written journalism.

Why is the Board making this change?

Given the convergence of U.S. media and the evolution of many entries from authorized outlets into multi-format presentations, the Board believed it no longer made sense to exclude entries from digital news sites just because the parent company was a broadcast or audio media outlet. Broadcast and audio sites also do much more written work than they did previously.

May broadcast and audio sites enter packages that are primarily audio or visual?

Audio content from independent American producers and U.S. broadcast outlets remains eligible in the Audio Reporting category. In other categories, entries may be multimedia but must include essential written work. Submissions that are exclusively video may not be entered.

So audio and broadcast media organizations may not enter work in the Feature or Breaking News Photography categories?

Not at this time.

How does this change affect partnerships?

Previously, staff entries that involved collaboration between an eligible organization and ineligible audio or broadcast media were accepted if the eligible organization did the preponderance of the work and published at least simultaneously with the ineligible partner. But the ineligible partner did not receive a Pulitzer Prize. Now, an audio or broadcast site may share a Pulitzer Prize in a joint entry.

About entries

How many entries may I submit in a single category?

No more than three entries may be made by the editors of an eligible news organization in any one category. Individuals may submit up to three entries on their own behalf.

May I submit the same entry in more than one category?

The same material may be entered in two categories and no more. A separate copy of the entry must be supplied for each category. Where the number of items allowed in the categories differs, entries must conform to those limits. An added $75 fee must be paid for each crossfiled entry.

Is supporting material acceptable?

Jurors focus on the entry itself and have limited time to review supporting or supplemental material. It should be kept to a minimum. Material that shows how the work engaged its readers, achieved results or caused other news organizations to write about it are examples of acceptable supporting/supplemental items.

Supplemental material must be submitted in one PDF, Word or text file. Proof of publication for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary and both Photography categories must be submitted here, along with information about Audio Reporting entries that are re-uploaded to a third-party platform.

About submission

How should material be submitted?

All material must be submitted electronically. Text material should be formatted and submitted as URLs or PDFs.

Can text material be submitted as URLs or PDFs?

Yes. Either option is permissible, although we ask that you not alternate between formats in the same entry when possible.

If submitting URLs: Items should generally correspond to a single article. URL items must reflect the best editorial practices of digital and digital-first newsrooms, including full disclosure of corrections and other non-typographical post-publication edits. Besides corrections, any significant changes to stories submitted as URLs after initial publication must be identified, summarized and dated in the entry. Redundant spaces inserted in the URL portion of a Web Entry item will lead to system errors and prevent you from proceeding to the next step. Please check each URL.

If submitting PDFs: To assure readability, the PDF should measure no larger than 8 1/2 x 14 inches, the type size should be 12 pt. and the text should be in a one- or two-column format, single spaced. To show the original display of the material, you can use the first page of the PDF to frame or highlight an entered article on its published page; or use a visual thumbnail to depict the article’s original spread.

Should all stories in an entry be combined into one large PDF?

No, each story should be uploaded as a separate PDF or URL. Any supplemental materials, however, should be in a single file.

Where does video belong?

Video storytelling by an eligible organization can be entered in all categories except Breaking News Photography, Feature Photography and Audio Reporting. Usually video is part of an entry that contains text, graphics, photos or other items. Each separate video counts as one item in an entry – except in cases where several short videos on the same theme are combined into one presentation of 10 minutes or less. All-video packages are ineligible.

Video and other online content, such as interactive graphics, photo galleries or databases, should be entered only as URLs. You are responsible for making sure the URL works from outside your organization and remains active until the Prizes are announced in the spring of 2026.

How many images can be submitted in a separate slide show or photo gallery?

The limit is 15.

What about large multimedia packages?

Items from large, multifaceted web projects or coverage organized under a single URL must be submitted individually. The URL for the complete project or coverage may be submitted as a link in the supplemental summary question, or in a PDF/Word/text file under supplemental material.

What about a large-scale graphic?

It can be uploaded as a URL or PDF in a size sufficient to reflect the scope and integrity of the work and will count as one item.

How should entries in the Photography categories be submitted?

As jpgs please. Please see technical requirements. Note: If the photographs originally were presented or published in color, the judges should see them in color. If they were originally presented or published in black and white, the judges should see them in black and white.

Audio Reporting

What type of work is eligible?

The purpose of this award is to honor audio storytelling built on deep and revelatory enterprise reporting in the public interest.

What forms of distribution qualify?

We are inviting entries in all forms of audio storytelling, from podcasts to radio broadcasts. Regularly published U.S. newspapers, magazines, wire services and news sites may enter audio stories in this category. Independent American producers and U.S. broadcasters that do not publish news sites are also permitted to apply in the category. Non-U.S. entities remain ineligible.

Does the eligibility window correspond to the calendar year?

Yes. As in all Pulitzer Prize categories, eligibility for the 2026 competition is limited to work published in calendar year 2025. In the case of multi-year projects, links to ineligible segments may be included in the supplemental file, which may or may not be reviewed at the judges' discretion.

What qualifies as eligible audio reporting?

Entries should clearly demonstrate deep and revelatory enterprise reporting in the public interest as well as outstanding storytelling. The Pulitzer Administrator reserves the right to disqualify work that does not adhere to the highest journalistic principles, including but not limited to panel-based and conversational series that are not reflective of the profession of journalism.

How should work be entered?

Up to seven segments should be entered as individual links or consolidated into one link. There is a duration limit of five hours for each entry. Any excess material can be included in the supplemental file along with any other elements that may or may not be reviewed at the judges’ discretion. Entrants may continue to submit links to the entire project in the supplemental file, along with any other elements they believe the judges should consider.

The Board requires complete transcripts for each entry.

Preroll or interstitial advertising must be removed from the entry. If the entry is re-uploaded on a third-party platform (such as YouTube, SoundCloud or Google Drive) for ease of navigability in the competition, please include screenshots verifying the original release dates in the supplemental file. If your submission is derived from a lengthy project or an ongoing series, it strengthens your entry to focus on the most compelling segments.

Is supplemental material permitted?

Yes. We welcome a range of content that amplifies the impact of the work, including links to additional audio content and text-based material that supports the entry. As in the other Journalism categories, all supplemental material must be included in a single file.

Other categories

How does the Public Service category differ from other categories?

Public Service rewards total journalistic effort, such as overcoming obstacles to reporting, achieving results that benefit a community, using all available resources and engaging readers. An entry may include articles, blogs, editorials, cartoons, photographs, video, multimedia presentations and other items that appeared in print or online. The entry must be made in the name of the eligible entity.

What kind of content belongs in the Breaking News Reporting category?

The category aims to recognize real-time journalistic coverage of a news event as it occurs and unfolds. The entry should demonstrate how quickly, accurately and effectively a news organization used various journalistic tools to cover the story on all platforms. The Board also welcomes subsequent coverage that, within the first week, puts an event in perspective, provides greater context and illuminates the consequences. Breaking News Reporting entries often have focused on coverage of natural disasters and crime, but the Board invites entries related to coverage of other news, such as the death of a prominent individual or any consequential event.

A timeline of coverage is required in the Breaking News Reporting category. Why?

To provide context for the scope of work being submitted, entrants will be asked to include a summarized list of its organization’s reporting.

May I present material that provides further context for our Breaking News Reporting entry?

Yes, if it appears within a week. Along with the timeline, your submission may also contain an overview of coverage, including news alerts, social media posts and other relevant material. The material can be presented as a PDF with or without URLs. Please include the timeline and overview with the first item submitted in the entry. Because of the potential complexities in presenting this material, the first item can be uploaded as a PDF in an otherwise all-URL entry.

What belongs in Explanatory Reporting?

Any story or series that provides deeper understanding of a significant and complex subject, enabling readers to put news about it into a meaningful context. When possible, entries should take advantage of current technologies for reporting and storytelling, including data visualization, interactive graphics, and creative uses of social media. The main thrust must be explanatory. Juries will be encouraged to disregard investigative or other work that fails to meet that requirement.

What belongs in Beat Reporting?

Beat Reporting is intended to reward sustained reporting by up to two people assigned to a particular beat during the calendar year. Beats may be local, statewide or national. They can be traditional areas of coverage, such as police and court reporting, or ongoing coverage of such topics as immigration, education, politics. sports, business, the arts or the environment. They also may be new or unusual beats.

What belongs in Local Reporting?

Robust reporting on significant municipal, regional or state issues, demonstrating original thinking, resourcefulness and a continuous grasp of a community's makeup, problems and concerns. Originality can mean a fresh approach to a familiar issue or exploration of an unusual issue or concern.

What belongs in Feature Writing?

Enterprise stories distinguished by quality of writing. Stories should be memorable for reporting, crafting and creativity. Entries may consist of a single story, a series of up to five stories on a single topic or a portfolio of up to five stand-alone stories.

What belongs in the Criticism category?

Critical work on such subjects as books, theater, film, television, music, dance and architecture.

What belongs in Opinion Writing?

This category encompasses the previous Editorial Writing and Commentary categories. Distinguished editorials, columns or other written commentary, augmented by any available journalistic tool, may be entered. The work may be signed or by staff.

What are the criteria for judging Opinion Writing?

They will be judged on well-reasoned and compelling arguments on topics of public interest, whether they are originally researched and reported or based on analysis or personal experience. The test of excellence is clarity, moral purpose, sound logic, engaging prose, and power to influence public opinion.

What belongs in the Illustrated Reporting and Commentary category?

A broad range of illustrated work is eligible for submission: editorial cartoons but also comics that are more than a single panel, and other longer or topical graphic nonfiction characterized by political insight, editorial effectiveness, or public service value. If using animation, examples should not exceed five minutes in length. Informational graphics should not be submitted here, but included in entries for the other journalism categories.