New Prize for Young Journalists Announced

Award-winning journalists Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney have introduced a $10,000 prize aimed at young citizen journalists committed to uncovering the truth and sharing important stories that often go untold. This couple, known for their work on a play about the tragic October 7 terrorist attacks and the film My Son Hunter, revealed this initiative through their organization, the Unreported Story Society.

The Shillman Journalism Prize specifically seeks contributions that mainstream media overlooks or misrepresents. According to the prize’s official site, “You don’t need us to tell you something is broken. Every day, too many real stories of real importance are ignored, because they don’t fit the ‘narrative.’” They argue that traditional journalism isn’t the sole realm of established news organizations anymore.

The founders stress that the most impactful stories are now emerging from unconventional sources — such as students, citizens, and independent writers eager to pursue the truth. The Shillman Journalism Prize is designed to spotlight these narratives and those brave enough to share them.

Funded by a grant from Doctor Bob Shillman and The Shillman Foundation, the prize is available to individuals under 25 who aren’t working full-time as journalists and are legal residents of the U.S. Participants must submit original reporting — not opinion pieces — on the prize’s website. After the submission period, a panel of experts will evaluate the entries, publish the top ten submissions on Substack, and allow the public to vote on the winners.

The prizes are tiered: the first prize will award $10,000, with $5,000 for second place and $2,500 for third.

McAleer expressed the desire for stories that either haven’t been told or haven’t been done justice. He mentioned that compelling stories can be found close to home and don’t always require traveling far. “You can dig up documents under the Freedom of Information Act, or sometimes the crucial documents are already out there, but mainstream outlets choose to overlook them,” he pointed out. He also emphasized that finding a powerful story often involves networking with people who know important information.

“We’re not asking you to put your life on the line. We’re simply asking you to be curious. To ask tough questions. To rattle a few cages in pursuit of truth,” he said. He added that if you’re under 25 and believe you have a story the mainstream has missed or is trying to suppress, this is an opportunity for you.

The timeline for the prize includes:

• September 8 – December 31, 2026: Submissions open
• January 1 – January 31, 2027: Expert panel review
• February 1, 2027: Publication of top 10 entries
• February 1 – February 21, 2027: Public voting period

The winner will be announced in spring 2027. Full rules for the contest are available on the prize’s website.