The Alabama Press Association announces the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Alabama with cash awards totaling $15,000
Investigative reporters are trained to follow the money, but it takes resources to follow the money! That’s why the Alabama Press Association has partnered with the A-Mark Foundation to present a $15,000 cash prize for Alabama reporters AND their newsrooms.
First place: $5,000 for the journalist(s) and $2,500 to the news organization
Second place: $3,000 for the journalist(s) and $1,500 to the news organization
Third place: $2,000 for the journalist(s) and $1,000 to the news organization
The A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism is open to all active and associate publication members of the Alabama Press Association (APA). The A-Mark Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated 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.
Criteria: This contest recognizes an investigative story or series by a reporter or team of reporters on a single topic. Entries may include a single investigative story or multiple stories over a period of time. Entries should display original reporting revealing information otherwise not generally known that individuals, governmental agencies, businesses, elected officials, or organizations do not want under public scrutiny. Judging criteria include depth of research, initiative, obstacles overcome, use of databases and public records, analysis of documents and records, use of multiple sources, and impact on public policy. Entries must include a brief letter of explanation describing the actual or potential impact of the report.
Eligibility: This contest is open to all active and associate publication members of the APA, and their staff members. Entries must have been published between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2025.
How APA members compete: The A-Mark award will be listed as an additional category in the contest portal. Entries will first be judged by division into first, second, and third place winners (judged by our 2026 contest partner). Those winners will then be judged by a panel of retired journalism professors and newspaper professionals into first, second, and third winners. Entries are $8.50 for divisions A-D and $11.50 for division E.
Winners: Winners will be announced at the APA Summer Convention AMA Awards Banquet to be held in June 2026.
Contact: Call Jaclyn Langan at (205) 871-7737 or email APA for more details.