Frequently Asked Questions duPont-Columbia Awards

The application for the duPont-Columbia Awards is now available online.

How do I apply for a duPont-Columbia Award?

NOTE: The application deadline has now passed.

Complete the online entry form. Upload your submission. Mail in 2 DVDs or CDs of your submission.

You will receive an e-mail with a duPont ID number. Keep this number. Use the number to identify your submission material.

Long-form entries running longer than 1 hour must be mailed in. Do not upload. Please send 2 DVDs or CDs of the entry and identify your submission with the duPont ID number received via e-mail.

*All other entries must both upload their entry and mail in 2 DVDs or CDs of the submission. Detailed instructions for uploading are available here and are included in the e-mail you will receive upon completing the online entry form.

Send DVDs & CDs with duPont ID number to:

The Alfred I. duPont Center
Columbia University
Graduate School of Journalism
2950 Broadway MC3805
New York, NY 10027

When is the deadline for entries?

Long-form entries running longer than 1 hour must be received by June 15.
All other entries must be received by July 1.
Entries of breaking news coverage that run 2 hours or less must be received by July 1.

What programs are eligible?

All broadcast news stories are eligible if they aired in the United States between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.

What are the entry fees?

The entry fees are on a sliding scale by category:
Network and Nationally Distributed Cable Programs: $150 per entry
Major Market Stations (DMA 11-10): $100 per entry
Medium Market Stations (DMA11-50): $50 per entry
Small Market Stations (DMA 500-212): $50 per entry
Local and National Radio: $50 per entry
Independent Productions: $50 per entry
Web-based Productions: $50 per entry

Entry fees are now payable by credit card only.

Who may submit an entry?

Any radio, television or web-based news organization or news professional may submit entries to the duPont Awards, as long as the programs appeared or were heard in the United States within the eligibility period. Occasionally viewers or listeners nominate programs, but this must be done with the permission of the news organization, the reporter or the producer of the story. Uploads, DVDs or CDs must be made from the original source to insure production quality.

Are there categories for entries?

There are no categories by subject or format. All entries are judged for overall excellence in reporting and production against submissions from peer markets or news organizations in the following categories.

Network and Nationally Distributed Cable Programs
Major Market Stations (DMA 1-10)
Medium Market Stations (DMA 11-50
Small Market Stations (DMA 50-212)
National Radio
Local Radio
Independent Productions
Web-based Productions

What supporting materials are needed?

You may include up to three Word documents or PDFs of supporting material with your entry form. We appreciate having transcripts, press releases, media reviews, or supporting web materials. If your entry resulted in changes or controversies, please summarize the impact of your program in the brief description that is part of the entry form. Please do not include email responses from viewers or listeners.

Are non-English language entries accepted?

Entries that aired in the U.S in languages other than English are eligible as long as they are accompanied by English subtitles on screen or a complete transcript in English. Onscreen subtitles are preferred.

What if I can’t upload my audio or video?

Please contact Abi Wright, 212-854-5047 or aew2113@columbia.edu.

When are winners announced?

Winners will be notified confidentially in November. Public announcement will be made in conjunction with the Awards ceremony in January 2010.

How do I contact the duPont Awards office?

dupontawards@jrn.columbia.edu
Ph: 212-854-5047
Fax: 212-854-3148