Hearst Journalism Awards Program
The Hearst Journalism Awards Program
William Randolph Hearst is a name you’ll remember from your American history class. Using bold headlines, aggressive news gatherings, cartoons, and dramatic human-interest stories, the legendary publisher is attributed with giving newspapers mass appeal. The Hearst Journalism Awards Program bears his name — and his sponsorship (thanks to funding by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation). Established in 1960, it recognizes excellence among college journalists and encourages their pursuit of a career in journalism.
Students from across the U.S. compete for prizes that include cash awards, internships, and scholarships to universities such as Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. The Hearst Awards are judged by professionals from the newspaper, magazine, digital, radio, broadcast news, and public relations fields. Winners in the annual competition receive a total of $500,000 in scholarships, awards, and grants. The awards program also provides special recognition to student groups that demonstrate outstanding journalistic achievement.
The Hearst Awards Program also provides educational opportunities, including seminars on reporting techniques and workshops on media law. Each year, the program develops new initiatives to help foster the next generation of journalists. By recognizing excellence in college journalism, the Hearst Journalism Awards Program is helping to shape the future of journalism.
Scholarship Summary
William Randolph Hearst is a name you’ll remember from your American history class. Using bold headlines, aggressive news gatherings, cartoons, and dramatic human-interest stories, the legendary publisher is attributed with giving newspapers mass appeal. The Hearst Journalism Awards Program bears his name — and his sponsorship (thanks to funding by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation). Established in 1960, it recognizes excellence among college journalists and encourages their pursuit of a career in journalism.
Students from across the U.S. compete for prizes that include cash awards, internships, and scholarships to universities such as Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. The Hearst Awards are judged by professionals from the newspaper, magazine, digital, radio, broadcast news, and public relations fields. Winners in the annual competition receive a total of $500,000 in scholarships, awards, and grants. The awards program also provides special recognition to student groups that demonstrate outstanding journalistic achievement.
The Hearst Awards Program also provides educational opportunities, including seminars on reporting techniques and workshops on media law. Each year, the program develops new initiatives to help foster the next generation of journalists. By recognizing excellence in college journalism, the Hearst Journalism Awards Program is helping to shape the future of journalism.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Grade: College Freshman – Undergraduate
- Maximum Age: Any
- Required GPA: Any
- Geographic Eligibility: United States
- Gender: Any
- Race/Ethnicity: Any
Key Information of Hearst Journalism Awards Program
Study Details
Area of Study
- Communications
- Journalism
Country of Study
United States
Specific Schools
Any
Application Requirements
Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.
- Portfolio
- School Verification
- Faculty endorsement
Hearst Journalism Awards Program Timeline
January
Applications open
Applications are open early in the year.
November
Submission deadlines
There are several deadlines depending on which competition you enter. The latest deadline is in November. Please visit the website to find a complete list of deadlines.
How to ace the Hearst Journalism Awards Program
Participate in your campus media
Don't wait to start your career after college. Your submission must have been published, aired and/or posted while you are an undergraduate journalism major. The only exception made is for photojournalism entrants — you don't have to be a journalism major to enter the photo competitions. If you're undeclared, you have to confirm your intent to declare a major in the accredited program and have your school verify this.
Pick a category that plays to your strengths
Not satisfied with simply offering the broad areas of writing, radio, photojournalism, TV, and multimedia, the Hearst Journalism Awards Program breaks these disciplines down even further. For example, writers can enter the feature, sports, personality/profile, breaking news, or enterprise reporting monthly competitions. So if sports isn't your thing, but profile writing is your superpower, just wait until next month to enter!
Communicate with professors, advisors, and the journalism department
Each school can enter two separate students' entries per competition. Hopefully, you've already developed strong relationships with your professors or advisors who will be happy to submit your name. While the application is completed online, your school's journalism department will give you the instructions.
Prepare early
Once you've chosen the category that will be best for you, start preparing your entry. It's always best to take your time with applications so that you submit your best work.
How the Hearst Journalism Awards Program is Judged
Applicants will be judged on their submissions. The criteria cover the topic of human interest, news value, originality, editing, storytelling, clarity, depth, and knowledge of the subject
Why We Love the Hearst Journalism Awards Program
You (and your school) win an award
Monthly winners in 14 categories receive scholarships for $3,000 (first place), $2,000 (second place), $1,500 (third place), or $1,000 (fourth and fifth place)—and their schools receive matching grants! Monthly winners who are selected as finalists for the national championship competition automatically receive additional scholarships for $1,500.
Competitions are held monthly throughout the year
With 14 monthly competitions — across the five disciplines — spanning October to April, there are plenty of opportunities throughout the year to submit your work. There's even an opportunity for you to bypass the semi-final round and automatically be entered into the national competition.
Annual championships culminate in a journalism Super Bowl
If you're chosen as a top monthly entrant competing in the photojournalism or TV categories, you participate in a semifinal round (such as submitting a portfolio) from which judges pick the best of the best for the championship.
5 Facts About William Randolph Hearst
He attended Harvard University
While at Harvard, he was the editor for the "Harvard Lampoon".
Debt crippled his media empire
Political crusades and art purchases left him in tens of millions in debt. When circulation dipped in the mid-1930s, he refused to take cost-cutting methods or sell his newspapers.
He has a castle in San Simeon, California
Famously featuring Hearst's antique collection, the world's largest zoo, and a repertoire of celebrity guests (Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, FDR), it became a California State Park only three years after his death.
His circulation hit 20 million daily readers
At peak, he owned a chain of 28 newspapers. Today's top publication, the "Wall Street Journal", has only 2.3 million readers.
His life story inspired "Citizen Kane"
Considered the best film ever made, William Randolph Hearst inspired the main character in Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane".