Annual Awards
The annual Collegiate Network Campus Journalism Awards recognize outstanding work produced by individual student journalists and whole papers. These awards are announced at the annual CN Editors Conference.
Individual Awards
These awards celebrate outstanding stories or series produced by student journalists. Submissions may be the work of a single writer or a collaborative team, but recognition is given to individual journalists rather than the publication as a whole.
Eligibility Requirement:
Writers do not need to be present to receive individual awards. To qualify, you must be part of a CN student paper.
Categories include:
- Investigative Reporting – Deep, original reporting that uncovers significant truths.
- Criticism – Insightful analysis of art, culture, or society.
- Commentary – Persuasive opinion writing that exemplifies clarity and conviction.
- Features Writing – Engaging narrative storytelling that brings ideas or people to life.
- Photography – Compelling visual storytelling through images.
Paper Awards
These awards honor the editorial and creative excellence of entire publications. Your paper can stand out among peers for its distinctive voice, design, and innovation.
Eligibility Requirement:
To qualify for any Paper Award, your paper must have active status in the CN and at least two editors from your publication must attend the full conference in person.
Categories include:
- Best Editorial/Opinion – Cohesive and impactful editorial vision.
- Best Layout and Design – Visual presentation that enhances readability and appeal.
- Best Multimedia – Use of audio, video, or interactive elements to tell a story.
- Best New Publication – Exceptional performance by a paper launched recently.
2025 Finalists and Winners
2025 Paper Award Winners
Best Editorial
The Cadet at Virginia Military Institute
Best Layout & Design
The Spectator at Washington & Lee College
Best Multimedia
The Chicago Thinker at the University of Chicago
Best New Publication
Yard Report at Harvard
William F. Buckley Jr. Award for Outstanding Campus Reporting
The Stanford Review at Stanford University