Contest Entry Instructions

The RNA Excellence in Religion Reporting contest is administered through the BetterBNC media awards platform. Below are directions for preparing and submitting entries.

Tip:
If you are entering a contest on your own, you’re an Open Call Contestant. If you’re entering applicants on behalf of a news organization, you’re a Contest Manager. No matter how you enter, the first step is to create a login account. Instructions for that are here.

If you have additional questions, please contact us at Director@RNA.org.

Skip to:
How to Log In
How to Submit Entries
Contest Categories
How to Pay for Entries

How to Log In

  1. Go to betterbnc.com

  2. Click ‘Contestant Login’

  3. Select the appropriate contestant type:

    Contest Manager
    If you are the single point of contact for your organization, select “Contest Manager,” then skip to Contestant Manager Login below.

    Authorized Entrant
    If you have received an email authorizing you to submit entries on behalf of your media organization, select “Authorized Entrant” on the login page. Then skip to Authorized Entrant Login below.

    Open Call Contestant
    If you are an individual submitting your own entries (this includes non RNA members and freelancers), skip to Open Call Contestant Login below.

Contest Manager Login

  1. Select the contest you would like to enter

  2. Select your media organization

  3. Enter your password

    Note: If this is your first time logging into your account, use the temporary password: bnc. After you log in, the system will require you to update your password. Going forward—including in future years—you will log in with the password you set.

    If the designated Contest Manager should leave your organization, please contact your Contest Administrator to have the contact info in your account updated.

  4. Click “Login”

Authorized Entrant Login

  1. Select the contest you would like to enter

  2. Select your media organization

  3. Enter your email address

  4. Enter your password

  5. Click “Login”

  1. Click “Open Call Login” in the blue bar at the top of the page

  2. If you already have an Open Call Contestant account, enter your email address and password. Then click “Login” and skip to Request to Make Entries below

  3. If you do NOT already have an Open Call Contestant account, click “Create Your Open Call Account’

  4. Fill out the form

  5. Click “Submit” at the bottom of the page.

    Note: Once you fill out the form to create your Open Call Contestant account, the system will send you a validation email with a link that must be clicked before you can log into your account.

Open Call Contestant Login

Request to Make Entries (Open Call Contestants Only)

  1. Hover over the red “Open Call Contestant” text in the blue bar at the top of the page

  2. Select “My Contests” int he menu that appears

  3. In the “Available Contests” section, check the box next to the contest you would like to enter

  4. Hover over the red “Open Call Contestant” text again

  5. Select “Manage Entries”

How to Submit Entries

  1. Click “Submit Entry” from the “Manage Entries” page

  2. Select a division (group of categories)

    Note: It is possible that your outlet has been miscategorized as a small or large organization. Small newspapers have a circulation of up to 100,000. Large newspapers have a circulation of more than 100,000. If your outlet has been miscategorized, please contact us at Director@RNA.org.

  3. Select a category

  4. Select the media organization where the entry was published or performed (Open Call Contestants only)

  5. Enter the entry headline or title

  6. Add entry content

    To upload digital file attachments other than audio or video, click “Browse,” navigate to the desired file and then click “Open.” Only PDF, DOC/DOCX, TXT, JPG, GIF and PNG files are allowed. To upload additional attachments to a single entry, click the “Browse and Attach More Files” button. BetterBNC will allow files up to 20MB, however, we suggest keeping your files to around 5MB. For files larger than 20MB, click the “RealView” icon on the “Submit Entry” page to create a free account, upload your files and the copy and paste the URL into the URL field on the “Submit Entry” page. You may also use a similar third-party website like scribd.com or issuu.com that provides hosting services.

    To add web/audio/video content, copy and paste the content’s URL into the provided URL field. To host your content online, either upload it to a free streaming website (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, Kiwi6 or Soundcloud) or talk to your IT person about adding it to your station or publication’s website. Make sure the content will be accessible online throughout the duration of the contest and awards process.

  7. Add comments

  8. Enter credits

  9. Click “Submit Entry”


    IMPORTANT:     Please be sure that items are not behind a paywall or password-protected area. If they are, you must provide username and password information in the comments section of your entry. Judges may disqualify your entry if work samples are inaccessible.

Contest Categories

  • Religion Story of the Year

    • The Religion Story of the Year is one which made a significant impact, provided exceptional coverage of an issue, and/or broke new ground. Submit a single article/transcript/package created and distributed via any media format in 2023. Stories may include the main text, related sidebars and all related content. All materials must be published on the same date and time as one feature. Multiple bylines are permitted. Winning entries will share the award among all those credited in the byline.  

  • Excellence in Religion News Analysis (Multimedia)

    • Eligible entrants include analytical pieces, syndicated columns, analysis, blogs, podcasts, videocasts or other types of opinion pieces, regardless of media. RNA's multiple media awards are designed to recognize journalism excellence in using multimedia tools. Both niche (all religion) and general print, online or broadcast news media are eligible, provided they are not owned, funded or operated by a denomination or faith group. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit up to three individual pieces created and distributed via any media format in 2024. - Reader comments will not be judged. - Judging is not based on agreement or disagreement with the viewpoint expressed. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers. Note: Applicants uncertain about whether to enter pieces in the Commentary or News Analysis contests should consider the following: The Analysis contest is designed mainly for third-person pieces, while the Commentary contest is mainly designed for first-person pieces. That said, the judges recognize that good commentary and good analysis can be in either first or third person. If your main goal was to present a personal view or a personal experience (even as it relates to news), your entry probably belongs in the Commentary contest. If your main goal was to dispassionately analyze a trend or news event, your entry probably belongs in the Analysis contest.  

  • Excellence in Religion Commentary (Multimedia)

    • Eligible entrants include opinion-driven columns, syndicated columns, blogs, podcasts, videocasts or other types of opinion pieces, regardless of media. RNA's multiple media awards are designed to recognize journalism excellence in using multimedia tools. Both niche (all religion) and general print, online or broadcast news media are eligible, provided they are not owned, funded or operated by a denomination or faith group. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit up to three individual pieces created and distributed via any media format in 2024. - Reader comments will not be included in the judging. - Judging is not based on agreement or disagreement with the viewpoint expressed. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers. Note: Applicants uncertain about whether to enter pieces in the Commentary or News Analysis contests should consider the following: The Analysis contest is designed mainly for third-person pieces, while the Commentary contest is mainly designed for first-person pieces. That said, the judges recognize that good commentary and good analysis can be in either first or third person. If your main goal was to present a personal view or a personal experience (even as it relates to news), your entry probably belongs in the Commentary contest. If your main goal was to dispassionately analyze a trend or news event, your entry probably belongs in the Analysis contest.  

  • Renner Award for Enterprise and Serials (Multimedia)

    • Religion News Association's multiple media awards are designed to recognize journalism excellence in using multimedia tools. Both niche (all religion) and general print, online or broadcast news media are eligible for the Renner Award, provided they are not owned, funded or operated by a denomination or faith group. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit an enterprise package, story or series about religion written/taped and published/aired in 2024. - Submit 1 to 10 stories per package/series. If the series is longer than 10 stories, entrants may submit a one-page letter explaining content of remaining series components. - Stories must be clearly identified as a series or be clearly related through content. - Entries should include the main text/audio and all related components. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Supple Award for Excellence in Religion Feature Writing  (Multimedia)

    • Religion News Association's multiple media awards are designed to recognize journalism excellence in using multimedia tools. Both niche (all religion) and general print, online or broadcast news media are eligible for the Supple Award, provided they are not owned, funded or operated by a denomination or faith group. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit up to three religion feature articles/transcripts/packages created and distributed via any media format in 2024. - Stories may include the main text, related sidebars and all related content. All materials must be published on the same date and time as one of the feature stories. - Multiple bylines are permitted. Winning entries will share the award among all those credited in the byline. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Religion Documentaries (Broadcast)

    • Religion News Association's broadcast award categories are designed to recognize journalism excellence by measuring a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religion issues. Outlets that are owned or operated by a particular religion, faith community or religious group are not eligible. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit one documentary which was distributed independently, shown publicly at least once, or aired on a network, cable or satellite television station for initial distribution in 2024. - Maximum length is 140 minutes. - Video can be from a station's website, but the majority of the story must have been broadcast on television to be eligible. - Documentaries may have multiple credits, but if the entry wins, the award will be shared among all those credited for the work. - Transcripts are not required. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Religion Photography: Single Image (Photo)

    • Religion News Association's multiple media awards are designed to recognize journalism excellence in using multimedia tools. Both niche (all religion) and general print, online or broadcast news media are eligible provided they are not owned, funded or operated by a denomination or faith group. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit up to three religion photos captured by a single photographer and published in 2024 via a news outlet, either in print or online. - Photos should be submitted via static URL or uploaded with the following specs: 72 dpi, 1200 pixels on the longest side, jpeg files. Name files in this manner: FirstLast1.jpg, FirstLast2.jpg, etc. - Photos may be cropped and may include routine image correction for color toning, exposure and white balance only. No other digital manipulation is allowed. - Photos must be documentary in style and not be staged in any way. - Entries must include captions, photographer name and the date taken. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Religion Photography: Gallery (Photo)

    • Religion News Association's multiple media awards are designed to recognize journalism excellence in using multimedia tools. Both niche (all religion) and general print, online or broadcast news media are eligible provided they are not owned, funded or operated by a denomination or faith group. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit at least four and no more than 10 religion photos that make up a series, gallery or photo essay captured by a single photographer and published in 2024 via a news outlet, either in print or online. - Photos should be submitted via static URL or uploaded with the following specs: 72 dpi, 1200 pixels on the longest side, jpeg files. Name files in this manner: FirstLast1.jpg, FirstLast2.jpg, etc. - Photos may be cropped and may include routine image correction for color toning, exposure and white balance only. No other digital manipulation is allowed. - Photos must be documentary in style and not be staged in any way. - Entries must include captions, photographer names and the date taken. - Please upload as one of your attachments a PDF with a list of captions for your photos. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Religion Reporting: Online Only

    • Religion News Association's online-only award category is designed to recognize journalism excellence by measuring a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religious issues. Outlets that are owned or operated by a particular religion, faith community or religious group are not eligible. Outlets that have an equivalent print or broadcast edition are also not eligible. RNA membership is not required for entry. This competition is for online-only news outlets that have no equivalent print or broadcast edition. - Submit three articles about religion written and published in 2024 (no columns or editorials). - Stories may include the main text, related sidebars (one per story) and infographics. All materials must be published on the same day. - Multiple bylines are permitted. Winning entries will share the award among all those credited in the byline. - Accompanying photos, video or audio need not be omitted in URLs or PDFs, but they will not be judged. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Short Religion Video (Broadcast)

    • Religion News Association's multiple media awards are designed to recognize journalism excellence in using multimedia tools. Both niche (all religion) and general print, online or broadcast news media are eligible for the Commentary or Blog, Renner Enterprise and Supple Feature Writer categories, provided they are not owned, funded or operated by a denomination or faith group. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit video and its related content from up to three religion stories produced in 2024 for a website. - The video cannot have been produced for television, or as a web sidebar for a piece that appeared on television. Video entries must have been published, posted or broadcast in their original format. Clips or edited videos that were not originally produced with the intent to run as a short video will be ruled ineligible. - The video/s can have appeared either with or without an accompanying written article. Limit for each video is six minutes. Transcripts are not required. - Stories may have multiple credits. Winning entries will share the award among all those credited for the work. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Religion Reporting: Television (Broadcast)

    • Religion News Association's broadcast award categories are designed to recognize journalism excellence by measuring a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religion issues. Outlets that are owned or operated by a particular religion, faith community or religious group are not eligible. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit video and its related content from one religion story broadcast in 2024 on a local, national, or cable news television station. - Length may not exceed 60 minutes. - Materials can be from a station's website, but the majority of the story must have been broadcast on television to be eligible. - Stories may have multiple credits, but if the entry wins, the award will be shared among all those credited for the work. - Transcripts are not required. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Religion Reporting: Large Daily Newspapers & Wire Services

    • Religion News Association's daily newspaper award category is designed to recognize journalism excellence by measuring a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religious issues. Daily newspapers that are owned or operated by a particular religion, faith community or religious group are not eligible. Weekly, bimonthly and monthly newspapers should enter the Magazine and Non-Daily Newspaper category. RNA membership is not required for entry. Large daily newspapers have daily circulations of more than 100,000. This competition is for large daily newspapers and wire services. - Submit three newspaper/wire service articles about religion written and printed in 2024. - Stories from a publication's print or online editions are allowed. - Stories may include the main text, related sidebars (one per story) and infographics. All materials must be published on the same day. - Multiple bylines are permitted. Winning entries will share the award among all those credited in the byline. - Accompanying photos or audio need not be omitted in URLs or PDFs, but they will not be judged. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Religion Reporting: Small & Mid-Sized Daily Newspapers

    • Religion News Association's daily newspaper award category is designed to recognize journalism excellence by measuring a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religious issues. Daily newspapers that are owned or operated by a particular religion, faith community or religious group are not eligible. Weekly, bimonthly and monthly newspapers should enter the Magazine and Non-Daily Newspaper category. RNA membership is not required for entry. Small and mid-sized daily newspapers have daily circulations of 100,000 or less. - Submit three newspaper articles about religion written and printed in 2024. - Stories from a newspaper's print or online editions are allowed. - Stories may include the main text, related sidebars (one per story) and infographics. All materials must be published on the same day. - Multiple bylines are permitted. Winning entries will share the award among all those credited in the byline. - Accompanying photos or audio need not be omitted in URLs or PDFs, but they will not be judged. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Religion Reporting: Magazine & Non-Daily Newspapers

    • Religion News Association's magazine and non-daily newspaper awards categories are designed to recognize journalism excellence by measuring a journalist's or publication's grasp of a diversity of religious issues. Niche (all religion) magazines, general news magazines and non-daily newspapers are eligible, provided they are not owned, funded or operated by a denomination or faith group. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit up to three articles about religion written and printed in 2024. - Stories from a publication's print or online editions are allowed. - Stories may include the main text, related sidebars and all related content. All materials must be published on the same date and time. - Multiple bylines are permitted. Winning entries will share the award among all those credited in the byline. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Overall Religion Coverage: Magazine, Single Issue

    • Religion News Association's magazine and non-daily newspaper awards categories are designed to recognize journalism excellence by measuring a journalist's or publication's grasp of a diversity of religious issues. Niche (all religion) magazines, general news magazines and non-daily newspapers are eligible, provided they are not owned, funded or operated by a denomination or faith group. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit one issue (two copies) of a niche print or tablet magazine covering religion published in 2024. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Religion Reporting: Radio (Broadcast)

    • Religion News Association's broadcast award categories are designed to recognize journalism excellence by measuring a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religion issues. Outlets that are owned or operated by a particular religion, faith community or religious group are not eligible. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit audio and its related content from one religion story broadcast in 2024 on a radio station. - Length may not exceed 60 minutes. - Materials can be from a station's website, but the majority of the story must have been broadcast on the radio to be eligible. - Stories may have multiple credits, but if the entry wins, the award will be shared among all those credited for the work. - Transcripts are not required. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Excellence in Religion Reporting: Podcast (Broadcast)

    • Religion News Association's broadcast award categories are designed to recognize journalism excellence by measuring a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religion issues. Outlets that are owned or operated by a particular religion, faith community or religious group are not eligible. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit audio and its related content from one podcast released in 2024. - Length may not exceed 60 minutes. - Stories may have multiple credits, but if the entry wins, the award will be shared among all those credited for the work. - Transcripts are not required. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Nonfiction Book Award

    • Eligible books are those employing journalistic technique and classified as biography, history, current affairs, analysis, business and some memoirs. - Submit two copies of a nonfiction book published in 2024. - Excluded from eligibility are books classified as fiction, self-published, scriptural exegesis, scriptural commentary, self help, how-to, and memoirs that are primarily spiritual journeys. - Do not submit galley proofs or pre-published versions. - Books will not be returned. - RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.  

  • Chandler Award for Excellence in Student Religion Reporting

    • This award is made possible by the generosity of Russell and Marjorie Lee Chandler. Russ Chandler was the religion editor for the Los Angeles Times from 1974 to 1992. He served as RNA president from 1982 to 1984. The Chandler Award, established in 2002, was the first secular award in the country to recognize student journalists for religion reporting. The Chandler Award is open to any full-time or part-time students who have never been employed as reporters or similar positions—such as contractors paid as regular contributors/correspondents—at general circulation media outlets are eligible. Internships do not affect eligibility. RNA membership is not required for entry. - Submit three religion stories published during the academic year (summer thru spring) in campus newspapers and magazines or in general circulation newspapers during a student internship. - Stories may be print or online and may include the main text, related sidebars (one per story) and infographics. - Awards for winning stories that have shared bylines will be shared among all authors.  

How to Pay for Entries

When all entries are submitted:

  1. Navigate to the “Manage Entries” page

  2. Click “Calculate Entry Fees”

  3. Follow the instructions to pay for your entries