Entry Guidelines
Sponsored by Janssen Research and Development a division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
Please note the Awards 2011 are now closed for entry
Rules
The Awards are for work published, broadcast or posted online within the UK or Ireland and are intended for British and Irish journalists working for audiences in these two countries.*
*Clarifications associated with the above rule:
Work from publishers that are based abroad but which is read or broadcast in the UK or Ireland is acceptable. The awards are intended for British and Irish journalists working for audiences in these countries. British and Irish journalists may be either nationals, permanent residents or with the right to live and work here, but must have been working here for at least six months at the time of making their entry to the awards.
The Awards are for individual journalists, or teams of up to four journalists, rather than for the organisation, institution, employer or publisher.
The Awards are for professional journalists whose work is published or broadcast by news outlets that are readily accessible to the general public. (University, or research-funded publications or multimedia efforts are not eligible.)
Books (published or online) do not qualify for any of the award categories.
The Awards are for journalism in science and technology (excluding consumer technology) and do not cover items exclusively concerning health or medical treatment.
Entry is by online form only. Journalists who need to submit entries by post (material larger than 10MB on DVD or CD) must still submit an online form. ?Mailing address: PO Box 3049, Bristol, BS2 2BU.
Broadcast or online journalists may submit a URL to their entry on YouTube.
Entries must have been first published or broadcast between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2010 inclusive. The cover date on the issue in which an article appears will be considered the date of publication. The date/time of posting will be considered for online articles, podcasts, blogs. The date/time of first broadcast will be considered for radio or television. For a series, the item submitted for the Awards must fall within these dates.
Judges of the ABSW Awards 2011 may not enter the ABSW Awards 2011.
The judges reserve the right to reallocate an entry to a category different from the one in which it has been entered, as well as the right to withhold an award in any category. The decision of the judges in all matters will be final. The judges will not provide individual advice or feedback to entrants.
Entries for the 2011 awards open at 12 noon on Tuesday 15th February and close on Monday 4th April at midnight.
The shortlist will be announced in June. Shortlisted entrants (all members of a team) will be invited to attend the awards ceremony to be held on the evening of Friday 8 July at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, London. There is no shortlist for the Lifetime Achievement Award, the winner will be chosen by the Judging panel and they will be notified in advance in order to make arrangements to attend the Awards Ceremony.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, winners will not be notified in advance.
Expenses are not available to cover accommodation and/or travel for shortlisted entrants/winners to attend the awards ceremony.
Guidelines for filling out the online form
The judges will be looking for originality, style and flair in all categories. Entrants can summarise their entry and indicate the impact of their work on their form.
The awards (except The Richard Gregory Best Newcomer Award) are for individuals or a team. No more than four names should be included per entry and these should only be the names of those primarily responsible for the quality, clarity and originality of the content presented. The role of the entrant in the origination of the entry must be stated on the entry form and any collaborators must consent to the submission of the entry. Whoever completes the application form will be considered the corresponding (and lead) author and will take responsibility for the fair disbursement of prize money.
Individuals or teams can enter once in each category.
Only one article, clip or programme PER CATEGORY may be submitted by an entrant. If the entry is part of a series, this can be indicated on the application form.
A separate entry form should be used for each entry.
All material, except media files larger than 10MB, must be submitted online.
Broadcast or online journalists may submit a URL to their entry on YouTube. Those who wish to submit material larger than 10MB on DVD or CD, must still submit an online form. When they receive a copy of their entry form by email, they must print 10 copies of this form and collate it with 10 copies of their DVD or Audio CD. (Please label each CD/DVD with your surname.) Formats: radio and podcast entries should submit mp3 files on audio CD. Film and multimedia entries should be on DVD (PAL). The postal address for CD or DVD entries is ABSW Awards, PO Box 3049, Bristol, BS2 2BU.
You are encouraged to submit your material in plenty of time, however, if you need to arrange to courier items please contact Julie Clayton on 07802 406729.
When submitting a web link for online work, you are responsible for its accuracy, and it must remain active through the judging period, and until July 2011 when the awards are made.
Specific guidance relating to individual categories
The best feature (words only: print or online)
The award is for a science or technology feature published in any print medium or online. Only one item may be submitted, although this feature may be part of a series. If this is the case this should be indicated on the entry form.
The best news item (words only: print or online)
The award is for a science or technology news item published in any print medium or online. The award is for a single news item rather than a series of items. Entrants should explain on their entry form why it should be considered in this category eg: breaking news story, first in-depth report.
The best scripted/edited TV programme or online video
The award, for will be judged on the script and programme content and will be made to the individual or team responsible for the content of the script/programme. The award is for a programme where science or technology is the primary issue covered. The award can be for a single programme or a series, although only one item in the series can be entered for judging.
The Royal Society Radio Prize
A prize for the best scripted/edited radio programme or podcast. The award will be judged on the script and programme content and will be made to the individual or team responsible for the content of the script/programme. The award is for a programme (or podcast) where science or technology is the primary issue covered. The award can be for a single programme or series, although only one item in the series can be entered for judging.
The best investigative journalism (any format).
This category is for any form of journalism, print, online, broadcast, podcast, or blog on a scientific issue. Entrants are expected to have undertaken a deep investigation into a topic of interest. The ABSW anticipates entries that may have involved lengthy or complicated evidence gathering, and entrants should indicate any difficulties involved in this work on their entry form. The award can be for a single item or a series of items, although only one item in the series can be entered for judging.
The Richard Gregory Best Newcomer Award
There are no age restrictions for this award. But the entrant should have published their first piece of journalism within the last three years (so for 2011 Awards between Jan 1 2008 and Dec 31 2010). Entrants should be currently working in science and technology journalism, either freelance or staff, full-time or part-time. Entrants should use the Summary of Entry area of the form to outline their relevant achievements, with links to samples of their work, and why they deserve the award. This award has a prize of £200.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement awards are granted in some years by the ABSW committee. There is no cash prize associated with this award. Proposals may be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
For queries related to entries email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
