Awarding experiences

Nothing beats an award for polishing the ego, especially if it comes with a sizeable prize. A surprising number of awards are open to science writers. 

A growing number of awards set out to encourage scientists to try their hand at writing. Details of these appear here...

This page lists a few of the more obvious competitions. Never forget that there is nothing to stop you from entering general competitions, for business writing for example.

A new EU site, a part of the Descartes site, has details of many of the prizes on offer throughout Europe.

Prizes for science communication

The Descartes bit of the EU's Research web site has details of the EU's own Descartes prizes for science communication. There is also a searchable database of Prizes for science communication.

The list is long with dozens of prizes. It says that "This database provides an overview of science communication prizes open to European scientists." But this isn't quite true, it also includes prizes for professional writers.

It is probably more accurate when it warns that "Many national prizes are only open to citizens of the countries concerned."

Visions of Science

Photographic Awards from Novartis, The Daily Telegraph and Science Photo Library

http://www.visions-of-science.co.uk

Norwich Union Healthcare Medical Journalism Awards

Lots of ABSW members enter for this one, and end up as winners. Keep your eye open for next year's awards.

The Society of Environmental Journalists announces its second annual
Awards for Reporting on the Environment, offering $1,000 prizes in
nine categories. The contest recognizes outstanding journalism on
environmental topics in print, television, radio and online media.
Categories include beat reporting, in-depth coverage, and small
market coverage. Last year's contest drew more than 250 entries from
across the U.S. and nine other countries. Entry deadline: April 1,
2003. Submitted work must have been aired or published between March
1, 2002 and Feb. 28, 2003.

Full details available at
http://www.sej.org/contest/index.htm
or by called (215) 884-8174.

The American Geophysical Union has a number of awards for science writing. These are open to writers outside the USA.

• Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism - Features
   

• David Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Journalism - News
   

• AGU Sustained Achievement in Science Journalism Award 

Visit the web site.

Some more to try

• Business Journalist of the Year Awards
   

• Newswise Guide to Journalism Awards

EICOS

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