Submissions are open for the Fetisov Journalism Awards 2026, an international competition recognising public-interest journalism from around the world.
The competition accepts nominations from professional journalists, freelance journalists, media organisations and professional journalism associations.
Award Details
Opportunity Type: International Journalism Award
Total Prize Fund: CHF 520,000
Number of Categories: Four
Entry Fee: Free
Submission Deadline: 15 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC
Shortlist Announcement: December 2026
Winner Announcement: April 2027
Award Categories
Entries may be submitted under one of four categories:
- Outstanding Contribution to Peace
- Contribution to Civil Rights
- Outstanding Investigative Reporting
- Excellence in Environmental Journalism
Prize Amounts
Three prizes will be awarded in each category:
- First Place: CHF 100,000
- Second Place: CHF 20,000
- Third Place: CHF 10,000
The total prize allocation for each category is CHF 130,000, producing an overall competition prize fund of CHF 520,000.
Who Can Enter?
Entries are open to:
- Professional journalists
- Freelance journalists
- Representatives of registered media organisations
- Professional journalism unions, associations and societies
- Individual journalists submitting their own work
- Organisations nominating eligible journalists
Self-nominations are permitted.
Publication Period
Submitted reporting must have been published between:
1 June 2025 and 31 May 2026
Eligible work must have appeared in:
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Journals
- Media websites
- Recognised online media outlets
Films, standalone videos and standalone audio recordings are not accepted.
Submission Rules
- Each author may enter only one reporting project or series.
- The entry must be submitted in only one competition category.
- A media organisation may nominate a maximum of three reports or reporting series.
- A series must address the same specific subject and have the same author or team.
- Submissions must not exceed 15,000 words.
- The work must be submitted as a readable PDF not exceeding 10 MB.
- Team entries require consent from every listed author.
- Applications and supporting information must be completed in English.
Language Requirements
Reporting originally published in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete professional English translation.
Machine-generated or word-for-word translations are not accepted. The original work and its English translation should be included in the same submission file.
Assessment Criteria
Entries will be assessed according to:
- Accuracy and reliability
- Editorial independence
- Impartiality and fairness
- Respect for human dignity
- Transparency and accountability
- Ethical journalistic practice
- Public-interest value
- Demonstrable social, political or environmental impact
- Quality and accuracy of translation, when applicable
Information Required
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
- Author’s name and contact information
- Citizenship or country of residence
- Current organisation and professional position
- Publication title
- Name of the media outlet
- Original language
- Publication date
- Link to the published work
- Selected competition category
- A brief explanation supporting the nomination
- Author consent forms when submitted by another person
- A properly formatted PDF of the reporting
Important Restrictions
Previous first-, second- and third-place winners must normally wait three years before entering again. An exception may apply when a previous winner participates as part of a team of ten or more people.
How to Apply
1. Open the official Fetisov Journalism Awards entry page.
2. Review the competition categories and complete rules.
3. Select the category most appropriate for the reporting.
4. Prepare a readable PDF of the work.
5. Add a professional English translation if the original is in another language.
6. Obtain signed consent from every author when required.
7. Complete the online application form in English.
8. Submit the entry by 15 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
For applicants in India, the official deadline corresponds to 5:29 a.m. IST on 16 September 2026. Early submission is strongly recommended.
Official Award Page
Disclaimer
Media Hole shares journalism awards and professional opportunities for informational purposes. Prize conditions, eligibility requirements, submission rules and timelines may be revised by the organisers. Applicants must review the complete official regulations before submitting an entry. Media Hole is not associated with the judging or administration of the awards.
How to apply
Submit one eligible reporting project or series through the official Fetisov Journalism Awards website by 15 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Entry is free. Non-English work requires a complete professional English translation.