Awards & Contests
Committee and judges
The awards committee meets at each convention to plan and coordinate all of JEA’s award programs.
Upcoming dates and deadlines
January
None
February
Feb. 16
Registration opens & online prompts available for Spring 2026 National Student Media Contests
Feb. 22
Submissions close for SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest
March
March 15
National Journalist of the Year submission deadline
Student Journalist Impact Award submission deadline
Aspiring Young Journalist submission deadline
March 24
Registration closes & online submissions due by 1 p.m. CDT for Spring 2026 National Student Media Contests
March 30
Submissions open for Junior High/Middle School National Media Contest
Past awards and winners
View past awards and recipients over the history of JEA.