Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes

President Ford’s Legacy for Recognizing Exceptional Reporting

Initiated in 1988, the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes recognize reportorial excellence and the fostering of better public understanding of the presidency and national defense.

With this annual award, President Ford wanted to recognize and encourage thoughtful, insightful, and enterprising work by journalists covering the presidency and national defense. The Foundation is proud to continue this tradition and will next award two $5,000 prizes for distinguished achievement in reporting during the calendar year 2026.

We are proud of our past winners, and will continue to recognize journalistic excellence in future competitions. If you have published exceptional pieces in 2026 on either of these two topics, please apply below starting in January 2027.

Trustees Roger Porter (left) and Mike Ford (far right) with Michael Scherer and Ashley Parker at the Foundation’s June 1, 2026 Annual Dinner.

Meet the 2025 winners

2025 Submissions are Now Closed.

We will reopen for submissions in January 2027, for the 40th Annual Journalism Prizes for 2026 reporting. Please check back then for updated information on how to apply.

Please utilize the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize Competition Rules and Guidelines below during your application process.

Each year the two prizes are presented to the winners at a reception and event in Washington, D.C. or Grand Rapids, MI.

  1. Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency ($5,000 prize)

  2. Distinguished Reporting on the National Defense ($5,000 prize)

The deadline to submit is March 13, 2026, 11:59 PM, EDT. 

Submit Your Entry
See our Past Winners

FAQs

    • There is no entry fee.

    • Entries must be received by 11:59 PM EST on Friday, March 13, 2026.

    • Entries must be for work published in print, presented online, or broadcast (including podcasts) during 2025 by a media outlet based in the United States or its territories.

    • Journalists may apply directly or be nominated.

    • Submissions with joint bylines are accepted.

    • Entries must be submitted on behalf of a journalist or journalists, not an organization.

    • Transcripts are required for all video and audio submissions.

    • Digital content must be accessible outside any paywall. If a paywall cannot be avoided, provide a simple username and password for judges.

    • The prizes recognize reportorial excellence—resourcefulness, insight, brevity, and quality of writing. Commentaries will not be considered.

    • For the Presidency Prize, reporting should address:

      • how the President exercises leadership, sets policy, makes decisions, initiates programs, and responds to events;

      • reliance on Cabinet and senior staff;

      • the structure and functioning of White House operations.

    • For the National Defense Prize, reporting should address:

      • leadership and national security issues;

      • Department of Defense and military operations;

      • unconventional threats and targets;

      • defense resource management and military preparedness;

      • international arms control.

    • Qualified entries must include the following PDFs:

      • Four to five articles or stories representing the candidate’s best reporting during 2025 on either the presidency or national defense.

      • A letter of nomination from someone familiar with the candidate’s work.

      • A brief biographical sketch outlining journalistic experience and training, including the candidate’s address, phone number, and email address.

    • All text material must be submitted electronically as PDFs measuring no larger than 8½ x 14 inches.

    • If URLs are included, live links must be provided, and they must remain active until the prizes are awarded in June.

    • Broadcast video and audio entries must include a PDF transcript, with the material itself submitted via live URL.

    • Digital content must be accessible outside any paywall (or include simple login credentials if necessary).

    • Each prize will be determined by a separate panel of judges, typically drawn from journalism, academia, or individuals with experience in the executive branch or national defense.

    • Judging will focus on the journalist’s ability to foster public understanding of the U.S. presidency or national defense.

    • Candidates should demonstrate consistent, judicious, sensitive and noteworthy coverage.

    • Work may have appeared in print, broadcast, or online at the local, regional, national, or international level.

    • Both freelance and staff journalists are eligible.

Contact Us

Submit packet to/or contact for further information:

Journalism Contest Coordinator
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
303 Pearl Street, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5353


Phone: (616) 254-0396
E-mail: press@38foundation.org

Find Us On Facebook: www.facebook.com/geraldrford