Online Journalism Awards (OJAs)
Funding Amount
Not stated
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Other requirements
- International (global competition)
- Open to digital journalism projects worldwide
Overview
Program Type: Competitive awards recognizing excellence in digital journalism
The Online Journalism Awards, launched in May 2000, are the only comprehensive set of journalism prizes honoring excellence in digital journalism around the world. The awards celebrate exceptional work across multiple categories of digital storytelling and journalism innovation.
Award Categories (2025 winners announced)
- Breaking News
- Digital Video Storytelling
- Excellence in Audio
- Digital Storytelling
- Excellence in Collaboration and Partnerships
- Excellence in Newsletters
- Excellence in Science Reporting
- Excellence in Social Justice Reporting
- Excellence in Sports Reporting
- Excellence in Technology Reporting
- Excellence in Visual Digital Storytelling
- Explanatory Reporting
- Feature
- Innovation in Revenue Strategy
- Online Commentary
- Student Journalism Award
- The Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award
- Topical Reporting: Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Identity
- Total of 24 categories (additional categories to be announced)
Timeline
- Submissions: Usually open in April or May
- Finalists: Announced in August
- Winners: Celebrated at the annual ONA conference
Geographic Scope
- International (global competition)
Eligibility
- Open to digital journalism projects worldwide
What's Honored
- Climate reporting
- Community engagement
- AI innovation
- Digital storytelling excellence
- Investigative journalism
- Various journalism specialties
Contact
- Online News Association
- 1111 North Capitol Street Northeast, Second Floor
- Washington, DC 20002
- Website: journalists.org
- Email: For award questions and submissions
Additional Information
- Award ceremony and luncheon held at annual ONA conference
- 2025 awards ceremony held September 12 in New Orleans as part of ONA25
- Sponsorship and award support opportunities available
How to Apply
Application Process
Submission Timeline:
- Submissions typically open in April or May
- Call for entries for 2026 OJAs expected to open in late March 2026
How to Apply:
- Submit projects through ONA's online submission portal (specific details not provided in available content)
- Applicants should identify which category/categories their work fits
Recommended Preparation:
- Begin connecting with your team early to identify which projects to submit
- Projects should demonstrate excellence in digital journalism across the various categories
- Consider how your work aligns with ONA's focus areas (AI innovation, climate reporting, community engagement, etc.)
Required Materials
- Project details and links
- Project category/categories
- Project description and impact
- (Additional specific requirements available on submission portal)
Contact for Questions
- Online News Association
- Website: journalists.org
- See website for specific submission portal and detailed requirements
Past recipients of this program
Recent awards under this program (from Online News Association's IRS filings)
Southern California Public Radio
Pasadena, CA · 2020
$10K
1 grant in Online News Association's 2020 filings reference “Online Journalism Awards” in their stated purpose. Amounts and places as reported by the funder.
What Online News Association actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 3
- Total given
- $643K
- Median grant
- $10K
- Range
- $7,500–$625K
- By dollars: Georgia 97%, New York 2%, District of Columbia 1%. Top recipient cities: Lawrence, GA; New York, NY; Washington, DC.
Example grants
Pivot Fund · Lawrence, GA
For the pivot program
$625K
Pro Publica Inc · New York, NY
General excellence in online journalism - medium; knight award for public service
$10K
The Washington Post · Washington, DC
University of florida award for investigative data journalism, large newsroom
$7,500
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Journalism
Categories
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