SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment

 

We're celebrating 25 years of the SEJ Awards!

This year marks the 25th annual SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment, and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate this milestone. Follow us on social media for updates and subscribe to our newsletter for announcements.

 

– Book entries open Oct. 27. All other categories open Jan. 4. —

 

The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is now accepting book submissions for the 25th Annual SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment. The awards honor exceptional journalism on environmental topics published between Aug. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2026.

This year’s awards cover 11 categories, including a new category: The Jim Bruggers Award for Regional Reporting Collaboration. Book entries open first to give judges the additional time book entries require. Submissions in all other categories open Monday, Jan. 4, 2027.

• First-place winners receive $500, a plaque, digital winner’s banner and online recognition.
• Second-place winners receive $250, a digital winner’s banner and online recognition.
• Third-place winners and honorable mentions receive a digital winner’s banner and online recognition.
• All first-place winners are automatically considered for SEJ’s highest honor: the Nina Mason Pulliam Award for Outstanding Environmental Reporting.

Key Dates

Rachel Carson Environment Book Awards

• Entries open: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026
• Standard deadline: Monday, Dec. 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT
• Late deadline: Monday, Jan. 4, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. PT
• Eligibility Window: Books must be published in 2025 or 2026.

All other categories

• Entries open: Monday, Jan. 4, 2027
• Standard deadline: Friday, Feb. 5, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. PT
• Late deadline: Friday, Feb. 19, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. PT (late fees apply)
• Eligibility Window: Work must be published between Aug. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2026.

Guidelines

• Rules
• How To Enter SEJ's Rachel Carson Environment Book Contest

Questions? Read our FAQ for answers.  

Join our mailing list to get a reminder when all categories open Jan. 4, plus deadline alerts and entry tips sent directly to your inbox.

 

The Nina Mason Pulliam Award for Outstanding Environmental Reporting

One first-place winner from the SEJ Awards will be selected to receive the coveted Nina Mason Pulliam Award for Outstanding Environmental Reporting. This award honors the single most distinguished piece of environmental journalism among SEJ Award winners. The winner will receive: 

• A $10,000 monetary prize
• A commemorative trophy
• Up to $2,500 toward travel, lodging and registration support to attend SEJ’s annual conference

The Nina Mason Pulliam Award is made possible by the generous support of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Read more about the Pulliam Award.

See all the Pulliam winners.

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Sign Up for Awards Info

SEJ Awards Committee

Cynthia Barnett, Freelance journalist and author; EJ instructor, University of Florida

Dan Fagin, New York University

Sonia Narang, Multimedia Journalist

Ex Officio:
Tony Barboza, Editorial Writer, Los Angeles Times and SEJ Board Liaison to the Awards Committee

 

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Past Award winners:

24th  |  23rd  |  22nd  |  21st  |  20th  |  19th  |  18th  |  17th  |  16th  |  15th  |  14th  |  13th  |  12th  |  11th  |  10th  |  9th  |  8th  |  7th  |  6th  |  5th  |  4th  |  3rd  |  2nd  |  1st

​Past Pulliam winners:

24th  |  23rd  |  22nd  |  21st  |  20th  |  19th  |  18th  |  17th

Thank you to our Awards judges and screeners over the years!