A journalist or team of journalists can be nominated for a story or series of related stories (up to three) published or broadcast in 2024 that include original investigative reporting or public service journalism from Miami-Dade, Broward, or Monroe counties.

Awards include a $10,000 first prize, a $5,000 second prize, and honorable mentions of $1,000.

Yes. All nominations are shared with the journalists behind the story and with the public.

Yes. You may edit your nomination with any updates, changes, or basic corrections throughout the nomination phase. Once the review phase begins, applications will close.

While the works nominated must focus on Miami-Dade, Broward, or Monroe counties, they do not need to be published or broadcast by an organization based in South Florida. there. This means that reporters, correspondents, and freelancers for organizations based outside South Florida are eligible for reporting about South Florida.

No. These awards are open to journalists of all nationalities.

No more than four individuals may be credited on a nomination. Nominations that have more than four people will submit their entry as “Staff.”

Yes.

Nominations must include a link to a story or the stories, the name(s) of the journalist(s), and an up to 250-word description on why the nominator put forward this entry for the award.

Print, online, television, radio, video, audio and data visualization work—either standalone or in combination—are eligible. Podcasts are eligible, though only three episodes can be submitted. Documentary films are also eligible for consideration. Any documentaries must be under 120 minutes in length. Please email essermanknight@miamifoundation.org for details and questions.

Stories that were published or broadcast in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole are eligible for this prize. While the stories featured in the nomination can be in those languages, the narrative component of the nomination must be prepared in English.

Projects will be evaluated on the quality of analysis and storytelling, rigor of newsgathering, inclusion of community voices, and impact on policy understanding or action. 

A jury of professional journalists, community leaders and Esserman family members will select the winners.

Winners and runners-up will be notified in May, with an awards ceremony and public announcement to follow.

The Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards are supported by the Esserman Family Fund for Investigative Journalism at The Miami Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.