David Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Journalism – News

The award is presented annually to a journalist or a group of journalists for a news story or series in any medium, except books, that makes information about the Earth and space sciences accessible and interesting to the general public.

Prize Information

• Recipients receive the following:
  • A $5,000 prize
  • An engraved award
  • Recognition in Eos
  • Recognition at AGU’s annual meeting the year the honor is awarded
  • Paid travel expenses up to $1,000
  • Two tickets to the Honors Banquet at AGU’s annual meeting the year the honor is awarded
  • As members of the press, awardees also receive complimentary registration to AGU’s Annual Meeting

Eligibility Criteria

• The nominee(s) must:
  • be a journalist working in any medium, except books
  • be an author or contributor of the submitted report
  • be a freelance journalist or employed with a print/electronic publication or broadcast/cable station or network
  • submit only one entry for the award in a given year
  • not have won the Perlman award during the past two years.
• In addition:
  • Groups of up to four authors/contributors may be included in the nomination.
  • Self-nominations are accepted.
  • Nominees are not required to be AGU members.

Selection Criteria

• The selection committee considers the following:
  • News stories or series that:
    • bring new information or concepts about AGU sciences to the public’s attention;
    • identify and correct misconceptions about AGU sciences, or makes them accessible and interesting to general audiences without sacrificing accuracy.
  • Accuracy, initiative, and clarity.
  • Whether the story was published first, before other media outlets.
  • Whether the story contains information of exceptional originality, importance, surprise, or secrecy.
• Additionally, the news story or series must:
  • be about one or more of the Scientific disciplines represented by AGU;
  • have been intended for, and available to, the general public;
  • be in English (or include an English translation).

Judging Criteria

• A series is eligible to be judged as one entry if:
  • each segment of a series was identified at the time of publication as being part of the series; or
  • the series includes coverage of an ongoing activity, such as a scientific society meeting or a natural event;
  • no more than three segments of any series may be submitted for judging.

For more information, visit American Geophysical Union.