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NB: The 2013 Awards closed to entries on Sunday 24th March 2013.
Rules
The Awards are for works of science journalism in print, broadcast or online published within the UK or Ireland and are intended for British and Irish journalists working for audiences in these two countries.* You do NOT need to be an ABSW member to enter.
*Clarifications associated with the above rule: Work from publishers that are based abroad but which is read or broadcast in the UK or Ireland is acceptable. The awards are intended for British and Irish journalists working for audiences in these countries. British and Irish journalists may be either nationals, permanent residents or with the right to live and work here, but must have been working here for at least six months at the time of making their entry to the awards.
The Awards are for individual journalists, or teams of up to four journalists, rather than for the organisation, institution, employer or publisher.
The Awards are for science journalists whose work is published or broadcast and is accessible to the general public.
Books (published or online) do not qualify for any of the award categories.
The Awards are for journalism in science and technology (excluding consumer technology) and do not cover items exclusively concerning health or medical treatment.
Entry is by online form only. Journalists who need to submit entries by post (material larger than 10MB on DVD or Disc) must still submit an online form. For mailing arrangements please contact Sallie Robins on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Entries must have been first published or broadcast between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012 inclusive. The cover date on the issue in which an article appears will be considered the date of publication. The date/time of posting will be considered for online articles, podcasts, blogs. The date/time of first broadcast will be considered for radio or television. For a series, the item submitted for the Awards must fall within these dates.
Judges of the ABSW Awards 2013 may not enter the ABSW Awards 2013
The judges reserve the right to reallocate an entry to a category different from the one in which it has been entered, as well as the right to withhold an award in any category. The decision of the judges in all matters will be final. The judges will not provide individual advice or feedback to entrants.
Entries for the 2013 awards open on Friday 8 February and close on Sunday 24 March at midnight.
The shortlist will be announced in May/June. Shortlisted entrants (all members of a team) will be invited to attend the awards ceremony to be held on the evening of Thursday 20th June at the Royal Society, London. There is no shortlist for the Lifetime Achievement Award, the winner will be chosen by the Judging panel and they will be notified in advance in order to make arrangements to attend the Awards Ceremony.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, winners will not be notified in advance.
Expenses are not available to cover accommodation and/or travel for shortlisted entrants/winners to attend the awards ceremony.
Guidelines for filling out the online form:
The judges will focus on the quality of journalism and will look for originality, style and flair in all categories. Entrants can summarise their entry and indicate the impact of their work on their entry form.
The awards (except The Richard Gregory Best Newcomer Award) are for individuals or a team. No more than four names should be included per entry and these should only be the names of those primarily responsible for the quality, clarity and originality of the content presented. The role of the entrant in the origination of the entry must be stated on the entry form and any collaborators must consent to the submission of the entry. Whoever completes the application form will be considered the corresponding (and lead) author and will take responsibility for the fair disbursement of prize money.
Individuals or teams can only enter ONCE in each award category, but individuals or teams may submit entries for a number of different award categories (entering one piece in news and one piece in features, for example).
Only one article, clip or programme PER CATEGORY may be submitted by an entrant or team. If the entry is part of a series, this can be indicated on the application form.
A separate entry form should be used for each entry.
Important Information on File Formats
All entries that include TV Programmes/Online Video must be submitted on DVD (PAL) by post. The postal arrangements can be obtained from Sallie Robins This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . There is no option for online submission of files for TV programmes/online video. However, you must still complete the online form.
All entries that include radio programmes or podcasts must be submitted in mp3 format. Either by post or online depending on file size (see the next clause for details).
All material, except files larger than 10MB (and TV programmes/online video - see note above), must be submitted online. Those who wish to submit material larger than 10MB must still submit an online form. When they receive a copy of their entry form by email, they must print 12 copies of this form and collate it with 12 copies of their DVD or mp3 file on disc. (Please label each disc with your surname.) Formats: radio and podcast entries must submit mp3 files. Film and multimedia entries should be on DVD (PAL). The postal arrangements can be obtained from Sallie Robins This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
You are encouraged to submit your material in plenty of time, however, if you need to arrange to courier items please contact Sallie Robins on 07733 330344
Specific guidance relating to individual categories:
The best feature (words only: print or online)
The award is for a science or technology feature published in any print medium or online. Only one item may be submitted, although this feature may be part of a series. If this is the case this should be indicated on the entry form. The judges will be looking for excellent writing and substantial science reporting. Submit online by uploading a Word or PDF file.
The best news item (words only: print or online)
The award is for a science or technology news item published in any print medium or online. The award is for a single news item rather than a series of items. Entrants should explain on their entry form why it should be considered in this category eg: breaking news story, first in-depth report. Judges will be looking for evidence that the story is new to the relevant audience. Judges will also look for excellent writing and original reporting. Submit online by uploading a Word or PDF file.
The best scripted/edited TV programme or online video
The award will be judged on the quality of science reporting demonstrated through the script and programme content and will be made to the individual or team responsible for the content of the script/programme. The award is for a programme where science or technology is the primary issue covered. The award can be for a single programme or a series, although only one item in the series can be entered for judging. Submission by post after completion of the online form. DVD format. (Please scroll back for 'important information on file formats')
The Royal Society Radio Prize: A prize for the best scripted/edited radio programme or podcast.
The award will be judged on the quality of science reporting demonstrated through the script and programme content and will be made to the individual or team responsible for the content of the script/programme. The award is for a programme (or podcast) where science or technology is the primary issue covered. The award can be for a single programme or series, although only one item in the series can be entered for judging. Submit as mp3 format either online or by post after completing online form, depending on file size. (Please scroll back for 'important information on file formats')
The best investigative journalism (any format).
This category is for any form of journalism, print, online, broadcast, podcast, or blog on a scientific issue. Entrants are expected to have undertaken an in depth investigation into a topic of interest and produced a conclusion. The ABSW anticipates entries that may have involved lengthy or complicated evidence gathering, and entrants should indicate any difficulties involved in this work on their entry form. It is also anticipated that the entrant should have pursued an issue that others do not want the audience to know about. The award can be for a single item or a series of items, although only one item in the series can be entered for judging. (Please scroll back for 'important information on file formats')
The NUJ Stephen White Award for best communication and reporting of science in a non science context.
The award will recognise a journalist or team of journalists who have reported science on any platform in a way that when they are reporting science make complicated scientific ideas accessible to the non-specialist general public. The Award will celebrate the achievements of science journalists who use their skills in covering science for a non-specialist audience. Science publications and programmes, or science sections of publications are not eligible (eg: New Scientist, Eureka - The Times, Material World – BBC Radio, Bang Goes the Theory – BBC TV). The entry can be in any format. If the entry is part of a series then it will be judged on one submitted episode only. Entry may be by an individual or a team (see general rules regarding team entries). The Award is made in memory of Stephen White a highly influential science communicator who sadly died in 2010. The Award is possible due to a bequest by Stephen’s wife Elizabeth. (Please scroll back for 'important information on file formats')
The Richard Gregory Best Newcomer Award
There are no age restrictions for this award. But the entrant should have published their first piece of journalism within the last three years (so for 2013 Awards between Jan 1 2010 and Dec 31 2012). Entrants should be currently working in science and technology journalism, either freelance or staff, full-time or part-time. Entrants should use the Summary of Entry area of the form to outline their relevant achievements, and why they deserve the award. FOUR samples of work are required to support this statement. The judges will be looking for evidence of initiative and career progression. This award has a prize of £200. (Please scroll back for 'important information on file formats')
Lifetime Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement awards are granted in some years by the ABSW committee. There is no cash prize associated with this award. Proposals may be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the closing date of Sunday 24 March.
For queries related to entries email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
