CONTEST NEWS: A-Mark Prize comes to TPA contest season; CFINR award set for second year

A-MARK PRIZE

During the 2027 contest season, TPA members will have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes  in a statewide competition.

In June, 2027, TPA will award its first A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism totaling $15,000 in cash prizes for winners.

The A-Mark Prize is Funded by the A-Mark Foundation and recognizes excellence in investigative journalism that uncovers issues previously unknown to the public. The prize helps reinforce the essential role of watchdog reporting.

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.

Winners and their news rooms receive cash prizes:

• 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 contest is open to all dues-paying TPA members. Entries must have been published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026. Eligible work includes stand-alone articles or series. The contest entry period is the same as the Texas Better Newspaper Contest and entries may be uploaded to the contest through the TPA ACES platform. Entry period is Jan. 18 through Feb. 12, 2027. Entries should be page PDFs of print entries. Up to five supporting items may accompany each entry. A brief letter explaining the actual or potential impact of the investigative work should be included.

Judging criteria includes quality of journalism: depth of research, accuracy, fairness, accountability; quality of presentation: clarity, storytelling structure, and effective use of visuals or multimedia; responsiveness to community needs: how well the reporting reflects and serves community concerns; impact: demonstrated or potential influence on awareness, public dialogue, policy, or community outcomes.

Winners will be announced at the awards banquet June 19 during the TPA Convention and Trade Show  in College Station.

For more information contact Candace Velvin, TPA contest coordinator, at 512-477-6755 or email cvelvin@texaspress.com.

CFINR award

The Center for Integrity in News Reporting has honored 15 journalists at nine newsrooms this year and awarded $45,000 in state prize money.

Texas will participate in the program again in 2027, according to Rufus Friday, CFINR director.

Entries will be accepted through the Texas Better Newspaper Contest on the ACES contest platform. Entry period is Jan.18 through Feb. 12, 2027.

The state Integrity in News Reporting Awards are funded by a three-year, $210,000 grant from the SNPA Foundation covering 14 Southern and Southeastern states, a $90,000 grant from the Stanton Foundation covering the six New England states, and additional gifts extending the program to California, Ohio and Iowa, bringing the total number of awards to 23 states.