2026 UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENTS ASSOCIATION
AWARDS FOR BEST JOURNALISTIC COVERAGE OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND UN
AGENCIES
WINNERS WILL BE HONORED BY THE UN
SECRETARY-GENERAL
H.E. ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
Thursday, December 3, 2026, The New York
Public Library
The United
Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) invites media worldwide to submit
entries for its 30th annual UNCA Awards for best print, broadcast (TV
& Radio) and online, web-based media coverage of the United
Nations, UN agencies, and field operations.
Deadline for Submission is September 30th,
2026
The UNCA awards are open to all journalists anywhere
in the world
The Awards Are:
- The Elizabeth Neuffer Memorial Prize, sponsored by the Alexander
Bodini Foundation. This award is for print (including online media)coverage of
the UN and UN agencies. The award is named in honor of Elizabeth Neuffer, the Boston Globe bureau chief at
the UN, who died while on an assignment in Baghdad in 2003.
- The Ricardo Ortega Memorial Prize,
sponsored by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
(UNAOC). This award is for
broadcast (TV & Radio) media coverage of the UN and UN agencies. The award is named in honor of Ricardo
Ortega, formerly the New York correspondent for Antena 3 TV of Spain, who died while on an assignment in
Haiti in 2004.
- The Prince Albert II of Monaco and UNCA Global Prize for Water and
Sanitation. This award is for print (including online media) and
broadcast media (TV and
Radio) that covers water and sanitation issues, including access to safe drinking water, sanitation,
sustainable water management, and public health.
- The UNCA and Italgas Global Prize for Digital Innovation and Artificial
Intelligence. Sponsored by Italgas, a leading network tech company in
the energy transition
and digital transformation of infrastructure. The prize highlights journalism that explores how technology
is shaping a more sustainable and equitable future. This award honors excellence in print (including online) or broadcast
(TV and Radio)journalism
covering the impact of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on sustainable development and public
service.
Important Information For Applicants:
- Work in print,
broadcast
(TV & Radio) and online
coverage must be published between September 2025 and September 2026.
- The judges will
seek entries that
demonstrate impact, insight, and originality, evaluating the journalists’ courage, investigative prowess,
and reporting skills. Entries from the media in the developing world are especially
encouraged.
- Entries can be
submitted in any of the
official UN languages (English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish,
and Russian), however
a written transcript in English or French is necessary to facilitate the judging process.
- Each candidate may
submit entries to a
maximum of two (2) prize categories, with up to one (1) story per category. Joint entries are also
permitted, with a max of three(3) names listed for credits.
- Please ensure your
digital files and
valid web links are uploaded & included on the online Entry Form.
How To Submit Your Entry:
Entries
are submitted online by completing the UNCA Awards Entry Form.
Please
complete the form, upload your photo, and submit your work electronically by
uploading web links and/or files directly on the Entry Form.
Electronic entries are mandatory
All entries must be received by September 30th, 2026
For questions regarding UNCA Awards & entries please send email to: contactus@unca.com
