The Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) is the world’s longest established professional association for journalists, set-up to maintain the principles of balanced, fair, independent and honest reporting. As part of our campaign for the future of the profession we run this annual awards scheme to recognize the best young journalistic talent across the UK.
Designed to recognise outstanding achievements by journalists aged 30 and under, these awards celebrate excellence across various categories. Last year’s winning category entries can be viewed by
clicking here.
Below are the categories for 2026:
Business/Financial Journalist of the Year
This award will recognise entries highlighting the financial aspects of a particular company, sector or issue. This could involve funding for projects, companies’ finances, corporate governance or any other business elements of a sector. The judges will be seeking meaningful articles that clearly demonstrate an overall understanding of the sector, subject, and the needs of their readers, as well as sound business and financial outcomes.
Campaigning Journalist of the Year
The entry can be a series of articles, broadcasts or digital posts that have made a difference in society and serve the public interest. The campaign can focus on any sector, for instance: consumer affairs, personal finance, travel, health, business/financial and the public sector. The three pieces (submitted) should reflect the same campaign’s main issues and how the campaign has kept those issues focused and any responses, from those who can make a resolution, to the campaign.
Political Correspondent of the Year
Entries should demonstrate journalistic skill and rigour, that is revelatory and which serves to inform the UK public interest. This category can include campaigns (i.e.; all three articles can cover different aspects of the same topic) that have scrutinised and brought new information to light on important issues.
Environment Journalist of the Year
Entrants need to clearly demonstrate that they have used research, and investigative skills on writing about any sector of the environment including the built environment and heritage.
The three articles in this category can also form an investigative campaign on a single issue.
Arts Journalist of the Year
This award covers:
Visual Arts: including architecture, ceramics, drawing, filmmaking, painting, photography, and sculpting.
Literary Arts: including fiction, drama. poetry and prose.
Performing Arts: including dance, music, and theatre.
Entries can include the analysis and assessment of the merits and faults of a literary or artistic work, profiles, together with interviews.
News Reporter of the Year
Entries in this category should be accompanied by an explanation of no more than 150 words maximum per article, giving the background to the three articles submitted. For example, you may wish to explain that the story was an ‘exclusive’ or that the degree of research or teamwork required to produce the story was of particular merit.
Feature Writer of the Year
Entries for this category should be accompanied by an explanation of no more than 150 words maximum per article, outlining the three articles relevance to current issues in any sector.
This category also allows for a series of articles (no more than three) on the same subject over two or more issues of a publication or online platform.
Health Journalist of the Year
Open to journalists who cover news and trends in health, related science, medical devices, healthcare, and wellbeing. The judges will look fir originality and the ability to explain complex concepts with clarity.
Travel Journalist of the Year
Open to journalists covering travel across all forms: news and analysis, features and reviews, with originality and a deep understanding of the topic.
Sports Journalist of the Year
The focus of this category is relevant to journalists who have used strong investigative skills in the world of sport that informs and serves the public interest.
Showbiz Journalist of the Year
Open to journalists, interviewers and commentators who write about show business. Judges will be looking for best breaking news stories and most informed writing in show business which includes the worlds if stage, screen, TV and the music industry.
Overall Young Journalist of the Year
The overall Young Journalist of the Year will be chosen from the winners of each category.
