Awards Entry FAQ & Instructions

We're sure you'll be able to make your entries in the PMJA Annual Awards competition in a snap, but in case you run into questions or just want a primer, we've got you.

As always, feel free to send any questions our way - awards@pmja.org

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Contest FAQ’s:

Q: I don’t know my password

A:  We have Single Sign On - so use your PMJA login or login here before you visit the contest platform. Reset your password at https://www.pmja.org/forgot-password 

Q: Who at my station can enter the awards?

A:  Anyone with a PMJA login can submit an entry.  If you don't have a login, you can create one at https://www.pmja.org/create-account.  That said, your organization may have internal policies about who in your newsroom can submit to awards competitions.  Check with your News Director to be sure.

Q: My entries are calculating at the more expensive non-member rate. How can I fix that?

A: Check your membership status in your Member Compass. You may just need to renew your membership!  If your status doesn't match what you were expecting, email us at awards@pmja.org.

Q: My station will only pay via invoice.  What should I do?

A: Select the payment method "Invoice" on your entry.  When you enter your last submission, select "Yes" for all finished.  We'll email an invoice to the billing contact for your PMJA membership.  You can also print your Order Overview and submit that to your accounting department for payment, but be aware that we will still email the invoice.  Remember that all payments must be postmarked by March 6th.

Q: How should I count the number of staff to determine my Division?

A: Staff counts should represent the number of full-time equivalent positions working in news for the majority of the year. Include all staff producing news content: reporters, hosts, visual journalists, podcast producers, digital producers, talk show personnel, and similar roles.

Q: I worked at a station in 2025 but I'm no longer employed there. Can I still enter my work?

A:  Yes! If you worked at an eligible station during 2025, you can submit your own work. Include the station name in the Award Plaque Name field and enter in the division of that station. However, check with your former station about their policies on award submissions first.  

Q: I’m a freelancer and would like to enter the awards. How can I do that?

A:  Freelancers who have produced content for public media stations can now enter Division A and compete in any category. Make sure you have a PMJA login created to make your entry. When you create your entry and choose Division A, you'll see all eligible categories.  

Q: I’m an independent podcaster/producer and would like to enter the awards. How can I do that?

A:  Once you set up a login at PMJA.org and indicate your organization, all of that information will populate in the contest forms. When you create your entry, and choose the "Independent" division, you will only see the two categories open to independents (Interview Program and Narrative/Produced Program). Independents will compete against Division A entries.

Q: I run a collaboration - how can I enter my collaboration's work in the contest?

A:  Be sure you are logged into your PMJA account to begin your entry. Your sponsoring station will auto-populate in the contest entry site. When you create an entry, you will want to enter the name of the collaboration in the "Award Plaque Name" field. For division, please choose the division that corresponds with the number of people employed through the collaboration. 

Q: My small station partnered with a larger station on a project and we want to enter it in the "Collaborative Effort" category. What Division should I choose?

A:  All collaborations must compete in the largest division of the partner organizations. So, if your partner is bigger, please choose division based on that partner's number of employees. 

Q: Is there a limit to how many entries I can submit in one category?

A:  No. You are welcome to submit as many entries as you would like in as many categories as you would like.   

Q: You're asking for contributors on the entry form. What will be done with that information?

A:  We will not be placing additional names on awards plaques, but we will be adding these folks to our database so they can be included in future communication about awards. We will only e-mail these contributors with notifications of winning entries if the main entrant's e-mail bounces back to us.

Q: Who should I count as a contributor?

A:  We are leaving that up to you - feel free to choose those who you feel made a significant contribution to the entry such as reporters, producers and editors. 

Q: Can I pay for all of my entries at once?

A:  Yes! Once you've finalized your entries, you can go to "My Entries," and choose the entries you want to pay for. The system will give you the option to pay via credit card or to request an invoice for the selected entries.

Q: Who do I contact with additional questions?

A:  You can always reach us at awards@pmja.org, use the chat bubble on this site or give us a call at 605.863.9919.