Early Bird Incentives — Save Money & Win a Free Convention Registration!

What’s New for 2026

Digital Contest Updates

  • Addition of a new Class C division for the Digital Contest
    Lincoln Journal Star, Omaha World-Herald, Flatwater Free Press, Nebraska Examiner

  • Six new Class C digital categories:
    Investigative Journalism, Excellence in Newsletters, Breaking News, Digital Video Storytelling, Explanatory Reporting, and Feature

  • Addition of a Class C Sweepstakes award

Print Contest Wording Updates

  • Category 33: Removed the word “series” and added “Maximum of 3 entries per newspaper.”

  • Category 46: Clarified the wording to read “pages or sections.”

Additional Investigative Journalism Opportunities

  • In-Depth Writing category entries may receive additional recognition: First-place winners are automatically considered for the statewide A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism, and community newspapers not placing in A-Mark will also be evaluated for the Community Investigative Journalism Prize.

Entry Instructions

All entries must be submitted online only. No mail-in entries will be accepted.

Where to Submit

Submit entries at:
➡️ www.newspapercontest.com/nebraska

Deadlines

  • Early Bird Deadline: Midnight, Friday, January 16, 2026

  • Final Deadline: Midnight, Friday, January 30, 2026

When registering, enter the Association Code:
➡️ NE2026

Please read all category rules carefully.
For clarification or assistance:
📧 lynne@nebpress.com

📞 850-542-7087

Entry Fee Payment

Preferred: Online payment
https://nebpress.com/nebraska-press-association-payment-form/

Mail checks to:
Nebraska Press Association
845 “S” Street
Lincoln, NE 68508

Early Bird Pricing

  • $4 per entry — December 1 through January 16, 2026

  • $5 per entry — January 17–30

Chance to Win a FREE Convention Registration

All newspapers that submit any entries before midnight January 16, 2026 will be automatically entered into a drawing for a free 2026 NPA Convention registration (valued at $250).

Eligibility Reminders

  • Entries accepted only from dues-paying members.

  • Shoppers/TMC products are not eligible.

  • New NPA member newspapers may enter content published only after they became official members.

Enter now