The A-Mark Prize for Journalism and Investigative Reporting
The A-Mark Foundation awards cash prizes to honor, highlight, publicize, and inspire outstanding journalism and investigative reporting.
Open to all journalists based in Kentucky, published by a Kentucky-based outlet or writing about Kentucky, the A-Mark Prize for Journalism and Investigative Reporting rewards excellent reporting and investigative journalism. The award is for work published or broadcast in 2025.
- First place: $5,000 for the reporter(s) and $2,500 for the outlet that published or aired the winning story
- Second place: $3,000 for the reporter(s) and $1,500 for the outlet
- Third place: $2,000 for the reporter(s) and $1,000 for the outlet
Entries: An article, series or package that is well-researched and brings an important issue to light. Submissions should be grounded in strong journalistic principles, such as accuracy, fairness and accountability. The fee to enter is $20 ($15 if you submit before Feb. 16).
Eligibility: Entries may be published on any platform (newspaper, broadcast, magazine, online or podcast) but must have a Kentucky connection. A “Kentucky connection” means one or more of the following:
(1) The reporter is based in Kentucky. (For example: a reporter who writes for the New York Times but is based in Louisville would qualify under this criteria.)
(2) The newspaper or media outlet is based in Kentucky. (For example: A reporter who lives in Oregon but writes for the Lexington Herald-Leader would qualify based on this criteria.)
(3) The work covers Kentucky. (A work that investigates the Bowling Green City Council published in the Washington Post would qualify based on this criteria.)
Submission: Submit your work through the SPJ Louisville Pro Chapter Metro Journalism Contest.
About A-Mark: The A-Mark Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1997. A-Mark is dedicated to supporting and encouraging journalism and investigative reporting through grants to organizations that offer awards recognizing journalistic excellence. One of A-Mark’s flagship initiatives is the A-Mark Prizes program, which recognizes and rewards the best investigative journalism in each state.