2025 Guidelines

2025 Guidelines MRE Journalism Contest

2025 MRE Journalism Contest

The information below is intended to assist you as you prepare your contest entry. Details are specific to categories. You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.

TEXT MEDIA Get Organized

One entry may include up to four related articles (single or series) by the entering journalist in a category:

  • Breaking News Reporting
  • Enterprise/Feature Reporting
  • Investigative Reporting

One entry includes five columns by the entering journalist with a Commentary/Opinion submission.

All text media entries should include a PDF document for each article submitted; the original URL of the article if published online; an optional submission link for online review by judges; the journalist’s biography; an optional journalist headshot; and an optional cover letter.

Submission Materials Needed

  1. PDF document for each article
    • PDF must not contain ads or links to ads.
    • Text only pdf is acceptable.
    • Text with graphics is acceptable.
    • Text must be clear, legible, and properly aligned on pages for easy reading.
  2. Original URL* for each article
    • Please provide the original URL (web address) of article if originally published online.
  3. Link* for each article if also submitted for online review
    • Please provide a link for each article if you are submitting the article for online review in addition to the pdf document. Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
    • Instructions to access article(s) behind a paywall must be provided and include needed login credentials.
    • MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing. (E.G. Limit of 1 free article a month or limit of 3 free articles a month, etc. are not acceptable. Judges may need to review numerous times or refer back to article unencumbered.)
  4. Biography
    • Please provide a 100-300 word biography for entering journalist or each team member appearing on the byline(s).
  5. Headshot image (jpg/png)optional
    • Please provide a picture of entering journalist and each team member named in the byline(s).
  6. Cover letter (PDF)optional
    • A brief cover letter may be included as it may be very helpful to the judges.

*NOTE: URL and submission link may or may not be the same depending on your situation.

You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.

TV / VIDEO NEWS Get Organized

Journalist may submit either an Mp4 file for upload and review or a link for online submission review. The entry must meet the following requirements:

  • Entry may not exceed 15 minutes in length.
  • Entry may be edited for time.
  • Edits should be clearly indicated by a tone or silence.
  • Entry should include a cover letter.

Submission Materials Needed

  1. Mp4 File for upload

OR

  1. Link* to video for online submission review
    • YouTube or Vimeo, for example, are acceptable.
    • Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
    • If needed, login credentials must be supplied.
    • MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing.
  2. Original URL* for online publication of video
    • Please provide the original URL (web address) if originally published online.
  3. Transcript (PDF)optional
    • If a transcript is available, upload it as a PDF file. Judges may find this helpful.
  4. Biography
    • Please provide a 100-300 word biography for journalist or each team member credited on the byline(s).
  5. Headshot image (jpg/png)optional
    • Please provide a picture of the journalist and each team member credited on the byline(s).
  6. Cover letter (PDF)
    • A cover letter in pdf format should be submitted.

*NOTE: Link and original URL may or may not be the same depending on your situation.

You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.

TV / VIDEO DOCUMENTARY Get Organized

Journalist may submit either an Mp4 file for upload and review or a link for online submission review. The entry must meet the following requirements:

  • Entry may not exceed 30 minutes in length.
  • Entry may be edited for time.
  • Edits should be clearly indicated by a tone or silence.
  • Entry should include a cover letter with a description of the scope of the coverage and its impact.

Submission Materials Needed

  1. Mp4 File for upload

OR

  1. Link* to video for online submission review
    • YouTube or Vimeo, for example, are acceptable.
    • Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
    • If needed, login credentials must be supplied.
    • MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing.
  2. Original URL* for online publication of video
    • Please provide the original publication URL (web address) if published online.
  3. Transcript(s) (PDF)optional
    • If a transcript(s) is available, upload it as a PDF file. Judges may find this helpful.
  4. Biography
    • Please provide a 100-300 word biography for journalist or each team member credited on the byline(s).
  5. Headshot image (jpg/png)optional
    • Please provide a picture of the journalist and each team member credited on the byline(s).
  6. Cover letter (PDF)
    • A cover letter in pdf format should be submitted.

*NOTE: Link and original URL may or may not be the same depending on your situation.

You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.

RADIO NEWS Get Organized

Journalist may submit either an Mp3 file for upload and review or a link for online submission review. The entry must meet the following requirements:

  • Entry may not exceed 15 minutes in length.
  • Entry may be edited for time.
  • Edits should be clearly indicated by a tone or silence.
  • Entry should include a cover letter.

Submission Materials Needed

  1. Mp3 File for upload

OR

  1. Link* for submission review
    • SoundCloud or YouTube, for example, are acceptable.
    • Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
    • If needed, login credentials must be supplied.
    • MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing.
  2. Original URL*
    • Please provide the original publication URL (web address).
  3. Transcript(s) (PDF)optional
    • If a transcript(s) is available, upload it as a PDF file. Judges may find this helpful.
  4. Biography
    • Please provide a 100-300 word biography for journalist or each team member credited on the byline(s).
  5. Headshot image (jpg/png)optional
    • Please provide a picture of the journalist and each team member credited on the byline(s).
  6. Cover letter (PDF)
    • A cover letter in pdf format should be submitted.

*NOTE: Link and original URL may or may not be the same depending on your situation.

You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.

AUDIO DOCUMENTARY Get Organized

Journalist may submit either an Mp3 file for upload and review or a link for online submission review. The entry must meet the following requirements:

  • Entry may not exceed 30 minutes in length.
  • Entry may be edited for time.
  • Edits can include clearly audible edits.
  • Entry should include a cover letter with a description of the podcast and credits for any sponsoring organization or names of individuals.

Submission Materials Needed

  1. Mp3 File for upload

OR

  1. Link* for submission review
    • SoundCloud or YouTube, for example, are acceptable.
    • Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
    • If needed, login credentials must be supplied.
    • MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing.
  2. Original URL*
    • Please provide the original publication URL (web address).
  3. Transcript(s) (PDF)optional
    • If a transcript(s) is available, upload it as a PDF file. Judges may find this helpful.
  4. Biography
    • Please provide a 100-300 word biography for journalist or each team member credited on the byline(s).
  5. Headshot image (jpg/png)optional
    • Please provide a picture of the journalist and each team member credited on the byline(s).
  6. Cover letter (PDF)
    • A cover letter in pdf format should be submitted.

*NOTE: Link and original URL may or may not be the same depending on your situation.

You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.

AUDIO TALK SHOW OR INTERVIEW Get Organized

Journalist may submit either an Mp3 file for upload and review or a link for online submission review. The entry must meet the following requirements:

  • Entry may not exceed 30 minutes in length.
  • Entry may be edited for time.
  • Edits can include clearly audible edits.
  • Entry should include a cover letter with a description of the content and credits for any sponsoring organization or names of individuals.

Submission Materials Needed

  1. Mp3 File for upload

OR

  1. Link* for submission review
    • SoundCloud or YouTube, for example, are acceptable.
    • Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
    • If needed, login credentials must be supplied.
    • MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing.
  2. Original URL*
    • Please provide the original publication URL (web address).
  3. Transcript(s) (PDF)optional
    • If a transcript(s) is available, upload it as a PDF file. Judges may find this helpful.
  4. Biography
    • Please provide a 100-300 word biography for journalist or each team member credited on the byline(s).
  5. Headshot image (jpg/png)optional
    • Please provide a picture of the journalist and each team member credited on the byline(s).
  6. Cover letter (PDF)
    • A cover letter in pdf format should be submitted.

*NOTE: Link and original URL may or may not be the same depending on your situation.

You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.

PHOTOJOURNALISM Get Organized

  1. Up to five images may be submitted as either a single or series entry.
  2. Images should be submitted in JPG format.
  3. Proof of publication should be submitted.
  4. Cover letter should be submitted.

Submission Materials Needed

  1. JPG image for each photograph.
  2. Publication Screenshot (PDF or JPG)
    • A PDF file or screenshot(s) showing the print or online publication of the photograph(s), including the name of the publication, date, and URL.
  3. Original URL*
    • Please provide the original URL (web address) where work originally appeared online.
  4. Link* for online submission reviewoptional
    • Please provide a link for each photograph if you would like it reviewed by the judges online in addition to viewing the uploaded image(s).
    • Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
    • If needed, instructions to access link behind a paywall must be provided and include needed login credentials.
    • MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing. (E.G. Limit of 1 free article a month or limit of 3 free articles a month, etc. are not acceptable. Judges may need to review numerous times or refer back to article unencumbered.)
  5. Biography
    • Please provide a 100-300 word biography for entering photojournalist.
  6. Headshot image (jpg/png)optional
    • Please provide a picture of entering photojournalist.
  7. Cover letter (PDF)
    • A cover letter should be included.

*NOTE: URL and submission link may or may not be the same depending on your situation.

You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.

STUDENT PROJECT Get Organized

Student Project Eligibility and Requirements

  • To be eligible, the entire project must have been produced only by enrolled students receiving academic credit for the work being entered or must be work created for a student publication.
  • Work produced for pay is not eligible for a student award (that is, freelance work, etc. Receipt of student aid is not a disqualifier).
  • Work that was created by a student for credit but then made available to a commercial publication is allowed but should be explained in the entry.

Submission Materials Needed

Materials will be dependent upon the specific project. Please refer to the guidelines provided above for contest categories to determine your needs.

You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.