Victor K McElheny Award for Outstanding Science Reporting

The Victor K. McElheny Award, sponsored by the Knight Science Journalism (KSJ) program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, honors exceptional local and regional journalism that addresses issues in science, technology, public health, or the environment. This annual award, established in recognition of Victor K. McElheny’s contributions to science communication, aims to support the role of local journalists in fostering public understanding and engagement with scientific topics. The prize seeks to underscore the importance of local science journalism in an era when many local news outlets are struggling, highlighting the unique role these journalists play in addressing community-specific issues. The award is presented to a single entry, whether a series or a standalone piece, that demonstrates excellence in local or regional science reporting. Past winners have addressed diverse issues such as environmental impacts of industrial activities, public health crises, and community responses to technological or environmental changes. By awarding $10,000 to the winning entry, the McElheny Award provides both recognition and financial support to journalists whose work sheds light on critical scientific challenges and achievements within their communities. To be eligible, submissions must come from local or regional journalism outlets and focus on topics relevant to science, public health, technology, or the environment. The work must demonstrate a high standard of journalistic rigor, clear communication of complex scientific concepts, and a connection to the lived experiences of affected communities. The award emphasizes the importance of science literacy and critical thinking in addressing local issues, making it a unique platform dedicated exclusively to supporting local and regional science reporting. The submission process for the 2025 McElheny Award is open until January 31, 2025. Interested journalists or teams must submit their entries through the award’s online portal and adhere to specific guidelines outlined by the KSJ program. Previous winners of the award, including projects such as “The Air We Breathe” and “Big Poultry,” exemplify the type of impactful and community-focused reporting the award seeks to recognize. Evaluation criteria include journalistic excellence, clarity in presenting scientific information, the significance of the issue to the community, and the investigative depth of the reporting. Submissions are judged by a panel of experts who assess both the quality and impact of the work. The winner is announced at a ceremony hosted by the Knight Science Journalism program at MIT, further spotlighting the role of local journalists in addressing pressing scientific issues. The McElheny Award is supported by a combination of private funding from Victor K. McElheny and Ruth McElheny, alongside grants from the Rita Allen Foundation. It is part of KSJ’s broader mission to elevate the standards of science journalism and ensure that critical scientific issues are effectively communicated to the public.