NFPW Professional Contest

The NFPW National Communications contest is a two-tiered competition offering categories across the communication spectrum. This contest is open to anyone regardless of age, gender, professional status or location. The 2025 contest opens November 1, 2024. 

The first tier of the contest is run at the state level. Each state holds its own contest to determine the best entries in their state. Entrants who do not live in a state where a competition is being held can enter the At-Large contest. 

The second tier is a national competition. First-place winners from the state-level contest and the at-large contests are then moved to the national level of judging. To be eligible to compete at the national level, the entrant must be a member in good standing with the National Federation of Press Women. Entrants can join NFPW once they learn of their winning status, a discounted membership rate is available for high school and college students.

Some states offer a discounted entry rate to students. Check the find your competition page to see what your state offers.

All entries into the professional contest must have been published or produced in 2024.

For a complete list of rules please visit our website

Deadline Dates:

(Deadline is noon in entrant's time zone)