Online Journalism Awards (OJAs)
Funding Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
Online Journalism Awards (OJAs)
Organization: Online News Association (ONA)
Program Type: Competitive awards recognizing excellence in digital journalism
Overview
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.- 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)
Award Categories (2025 winners announced)
- Submissions: Usually open in April or May
- Finalists: Announced in August
- Winners: Celebrated at the annual ONA conference
Timeline
- International (global competition)
Geographic Scope
- Open to digital journalism projects worldwide
Eligibility
- Climate reporting
- Community engagement
- AI innovation
- Digital storytelling excellence
- Investigative journalism
- Various journalism specialties
What's Honored
- Online News Association
- 1111 North Capitol Street Northeast, Second Floor
- Washington, DC 20002
- Website: journalists.org
- Email: For award questions and submissions
Contact
- 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
Additional Information
How to Apply
Application Process
Submission Timeline:
How to Apply:
Recommended Preparation:
- Project details and links
- Project category/categories
- Project description and impact
- (Additional specific requirements available on submission portal)
Required Materials
- Online News Association
- Website: journalists.org
- See website for specific submission portal and detailed requirements
Contact for Questions
What Online News Association actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 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
Categories
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