Hubbard School announces Tom Gjelten Prize for Outstanding Journalism

The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the College of Liberal Arts are pleased to announce the first annual Tom Gjelten Prize for Outstanding Student Journalism. 

Open to all CLA undergraduate majors, this prize recognizes student journalists who show exceptional promise, purpose and professionalism. It is facilitated by the Minnesota Journalism Center and judged by a panel of local and national journalists. 

The winner of the prize will receive a $2,000 scholarship. (The actual funds received are subject to a student's financial aid eligibility.)

The prize honors University of Minnesota alumnus Tom Gjelten (B.A., Anthropology, 1973). In a decorated four-decade career with National Public Radio, Gjelten served as a foreign correspondent with foreign postings ranging from Sarajevo to Cuba. He has covered everything from the Pentagon to religion. He received numerous awards, including a George Polk Award and two Overseas Press Club Awards. The winner will have the opportunity to meet Tom Gjelten.

Submit your application for the Tom Gjelten Prize for Outstanding Journalism by April 10, 2026. 

Eligibility

The award is open to all CLA undergraduate majors currently enrolled at the University.

Submission Process

All applications are self-nominated. Faculty should encourage students to apply. 

Applicants should submit three samples of published work. Published work includes work produced for a course, student media, internships or practicum experiences. These samples can be in any medium (e.g., text, photography, video, podcast, etc.), and the three pieces can be in different media formats.

Applicants should include a statement of purpose of no more than 300 words that addresses the following two questions:

• How do you see your three selected pieces as exemplifying quality journalism?
• How do you see journalism and its values playing a role in your future career?
   

All applications should be submitted using this online form, at z.umn.edu/gjelten-prize. 

Deadline 

All applications must be submitted by Friday, April 10, 2026
 

If you have any questions, please contact Matt Carlson, interim director of the Minnesota Journalism Center, at [email protected].