Who is eligible to enter the EPPYTM Awards?
The EPPY™ Awards are open to all news organizations that produce original digital-first journalism and editorial content, including newspapers, digital-first publishers, broadcasters, magazines, nonprofit news organizations and independent media. Only colleges and universities are eligible to enter the Best College/University Website categories.
What is the deadline to enter the 2026 EPPYTM Awards?
Entries for the 2026 EPPY™ Awards open Monday, July 13, 2026. All entries must be submitted by Friday, September 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Editor & Publisher reserves the right to extend the deadline if necessary. Entries submitted after the deadline will not be accepted unless an extension has been officially announced.
How are the EPPYTM Awards judged?
Each year, more than 20 respected leaders from journalism, digital publishing, technology and academia, judge the EPPY™ Awards. As the landscape of news delivery continues to evolve, so do our standards. Entries are evaluated on core criteria such as design, usability, depth of content, and timeliness — with added focus on how each submission leverages today’s platforms, technology, and audience engagement tools. Special recognition is given to entries that harness interactivity, innovation, and storytelling to elevate the impact of modern digital journalism.
Each EPPY™ entry is evaluated independently within its category. To be named a finalist, an entry must earn a score that places it among the highest-rated submissions in its division. Judges reserve the right not to name a winner in any category if no entry meets the EPPY Awards’ standards of excellence.
How do I know which division to enter — over or under 1 million monthly visitors?
To ensure fair competition, most EPPY™ Award categories are divided into two audience-size divisions based on the average monthly unique visitors to your primary news website.
* Division I: Media organizations with more than 1 million average monthly unique visitors.
* Division II: Media organizations with fewer than 1 million average monthly unique visitors.
We understand that audience measurement isn’t always straightforward. If your organization’s overall digital reach extends beyond your primary website—or if you believe another division more accurately reflects your audience—you may self-select the division that best represents your organization. If helpful, you may include a brief explanation with your entry.
Our goal is to ensure every entrant competes fairly against organizations of similar size. If the judges or E&P Awards team believe an entry would be more appropriately placed in another division, we’ll contact you before judging begins.
Please note: In categories with a limited number of entries, EPPY™ judges reserve the right to combine divisions to maintain a fair and meaningful competition. Entrants will be notified if this occurs.
This version is more confident, removes unnecessary technical details about homepage traffic versus apps, and emphasizes fairness rather than rules. It also reassures entrants that if there’s a question about placement, you’ll work with them instead of simply disqualifying or moving an entry without notice.
Can I enter the same work in more than one category?
Yes. Many entrants submit the same project, article, website, video or initiative in multiple categories, provided it meets each category’s eligibility requirements. Entering multiple categories often increases the opportunity for recognition.
How does one become an EPPYTM judge?
Interested in becoming a 2026 EPPY™ judge—or recommending a qualified colleague? We’d love to hear from you. Contact E&P Publisher Mike Blinder at Mike@EditorandPublisher.com or (406-445-0000 x1)
What’s the difference between the “Best News or Event Feature” and the “Best Investigative/Enterprise Feature” categories?
The Best News or Event Feature recognizes outstanding storytelling tied to a major news event or ongoing coverage — such as an election, natural disaster, or public crisis. It reflects timely, high-quality reporting and audience impact. The Best Investigative/Enterprise Feature, on the other hand, honors original reporting that uncovers significant new information through enterprise or investigative journalism.
How many companies enter the EPPYTM Awards?
Each year, hundreds of entries are submitted by more than 200 news organizations across North America. Many organizations compete in multiple categories, showcasing excellence in journalism, storytelling, design, audience engagement and digital innovation.
When are winners announced?
Winners of the 2026 EPPY™ Awards will be announced before October 31, 2026. Results will be published on EppyAwards.com, featured on EditorandPublisher.com, and highlighted in E&P’s Daily Exclusives newsletter.
Who sponsors the EPPYTM AwardS
The EPPY™ Awards are presented by E&P Magazine (Editor & Publisher), the authoritative voice of #NewsMedia. Since 1884, E&P has covered the people, ideas and innovations shaping journalism and digital news publishing.
Who should I contact for further information about the EPPYTM Awards?
Questions? We’re happy to help. Contact E&P Publisher Mike Blinder at Mike@EditorandPublisher.com or call 406-445-0000 ext. 1.
