The end of the year also means awards season will soon be here. Here are links to the major national journalism awards given to cartoonists. For various and sundry reasons, we are sending this list now for your future reference, before most of the contests have announced their 2023 deadlines or changes in their rules. As always, be sure to confirm any actual deadlines and entry fees on the appropriate website before submitting.
National Newspaper Awards
Eligibility: Canadian cartoonists
Deadline: Early January
Rules and entry form available online: https://www.nna-ccj.ca
Entry fee: $50
Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award
Eligibility: Cartoons on social justice issues
Deadline: Early January
Rules and entry form available online: https://rfkhumanrights.org/awards/book-journalism-awards
Entry fee: $75
The Overseas Press Club of America “Best Cartoon” Award
Eligibility: Cartoons on international affairs
Deadline: End of January
Rules and entry form available online: https://www.opcofamerica.org/
Entry fee: $200
(Executive Director Patricia Kranz notes, “If it is difficult for you to pay the full $200 entry fee, contact me at patricia@opcofamerica.org about assistance.”)
The Herblock Prize
Eligibility: Open to newspaper, magazine, syndicate or wire service cartoonists for work published in the U.S. or its territories, or in foreign editions of U.S.-based publications
Deadline: February 1
Rules and entry form available online: https://www.herbblockfoundation.org/herblock-prize
Entry fee: No entry fee
National Cartoonist Society Divisional Reuben Awards
Eligibility: Any professional cartoonist in the U.S. — not just NCS members
Deadline: Early February*
Rules and entry form available online: https://www.nationalcartoonists.com/awards/guidelines/
Entry fee: No entry fee
*Because the Reubens are tied to the annual NCS convention, which jumps around on the calendar, we can’t say for sure when the deadline is each year. However, considering there is no fee and that the contest is open to all cartoonists, it’s worth keeping an eye out for when submissions are open.
Pulitzer prize
Eligibility: Whatever
Deadline: Late January or early February
Rules and entry form available online: https://pulitzer.org
Entry fee: $75
Sigma Delta Chi Award
Eligibility: Editorial cartoonist published in a newspaper, magazine, newsletter or on-line news site
Deadline: Early February
Rules and entry form available online: https://www.spj.org/a-sdx.asp
Entry fee: $60 fee per entry for SPJ members or $100 fee for nonmembers.
National Headliner Awards
Eligibility: Cartoons appearing in a paid-circulation publication or broadcast in the United States
Deadline: Mid-February
Rules and entry form available online: https://www.headlinerawards.org/entry/
Entry fee: $75
Rex Babin Memorial Award for Excellence in Local Cartooning
Eligibility: Any North American cartoonist who draws on local or state subjects
Deadline: Late August
Rules and entry form available online: https://aaecrebuild.wpengine.com
Entry fee: No entry fee
Editor & Publisher Eppy Awards
Eligibility: Editorial cartoons on a website
Deadline: Late August
Rules and entry form available online: https://www.eppyawards.com
Entry fee: $275
Clifford K. & James T. Berryman Award for Editorial Cartoons
Eligibility: U.S.-based editorial cartoonists
Deadline: First week of October
Rules and entry form available online: nationalpress.org/awards/clifford-k-james-t-berryman-award-for-editorial-cartoons/
Entry fee: $25
STUDENT AWARDS
Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards
Eligibility: Student cartoonists currently enrolled in college
Deadline: Mid-January
Rules and entry form available online: https://www.spj.org/a-moe.asp
Entry fee: $20 entry fee for SPJ members,
$30 for non-members.
The Scholastic Herblock Award for Editorial Cartooning
Eligibility: Student editorial cartoonists
Deadline: Early September
Rules and entry form available online: https://www.artandwriting.org/what-we-do/the-awards/guidelines-deadlines/
Entry fee: See website for details
The John Locher Memorial Award
Eligibility: Cartoonists age 18-25
Deadline: June 15
Rules and entry form available online: https://locheraward.org/
Entry fee: No entry fee
