We’re now accepting entries for the Melcher Award for Excellence in Student Journalism as well as the new Fischer-Zernin Award, which honors superior work in local news coverage. The Deadline for submissions is  March 7, before midnight.

The Melcher Award is a broad award that honors the best in student journalism on Duke’s campus and beyond. Winning entries in recent years have included deeply reported feature articles about people at Duke, investigative reporting, commentary and articles written about national issues during internships. The Melcher Award carries a winning prize of $750. Second and third place prizes are $500 and $250.

The Fischer-Zernin Award for Local Journalism will honor coverage of the important issues of city and county governments, and other critical metropolitan problems outside Duke’s campus. It is ideal for work published during internships or work about Durham or other localities published in student publications. It carries a $500 prize.

The work must have been published in the 2023 calendar year by students who were enrolled at Duke at the time of publication. Recent graduates may enter as long as the work was published when they were still at Duke.

To enter, use this form. There is a limit of one entry (or series) in each category per person.

If you have questions, contact shelley.stonecipher@duke.edu