Templeton Story of the Year Award

January 1, 2008:

The Templeton Story of the Year contest will NOT BE HELD in 2008. We apologize for any inconvenience, and encourage you to enter one of our other eight contest categories.

A list of them is available here: http://www.rna.org/eligibility.php

QUICK LINKS:
DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM (Microsoft Word version)
DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM (PDF version)
AWARD PLACEMENTS & VALUES
RULES
COPY PREPARATION
ELIGIBILITY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Award Placements & Values

• First place : $3,500 and a citation
• 2nd place: $400 and citation
• 3rd place: $200 and citation

The purpose of the award is to honor a singular remarkable achievement across all print media. Special attention is given to enterprise, depth, sensitivity to the nuances of the subject and writing skill. Entry fee: $100. Deadline: Feb. 1, 2007.

Contest Rules

• Enter a single or serialized news story in any general circulation newspaper, magazine, news wire service and online news media site. Submit news stories or analyses only. Columns or editorials are not allowed.
• Content should be from the previous calendar year (stories published only in 2006 are eligible for the 2007 contest).
• All entries are for a single story or serialized story, including sidebars. Unrelated stories or submissions not accompanied with appropriate notation of the series will be disqualified.
• If entering a serialized story that runs in more than one calendar year, the entry will be submitted to the calendar year in which the majority of the stories appeared. (If an equal number of stories appeared in the two calendar years, the reports must be entered in the latter of the two years. Example: If five of the stories in a 10-part series ran in 2004 and five stories in 2005, the entire entry should be submitted in the 2005 contest year.)
• Stories from the printed publication or its online adjunct are allowed. Stories may include the main text, related sidebars, infographics, charts or other text material that appeared solely online. All materials must be published on the same date and reported and written by the same author.
• Each media outlet or individual may submit more than one entry, but each entry requires a separate entry fee. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual or media outlet may enter.
• RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.

Copy Preparation

• Submit an editor's letter of support and original story or series, including all graphics, headlines, illustrations and photos. Publication dates MUST be included.
• Any format is accepted, including scrapbooks, computer printouts, clips, binders or folders. If entry is multi-paged, make sure all pages are secured, either in a notebook or by stapling. All sizes are acceptable.
• Online media: should include a printout of original Web pages and pertinent internal links. No external links by third parties are accepted. Only original content should be submitted.

Eligibility
It is the intent of the Religion Newswriters Association annual contests to recognize journalism excellence in general ciruclation newspapers, news magazines and news wire services. The contests are designed to measure a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religion issues. Religious media, including media whose goal is to support or promote a particular religion, faith community or religious group, are not eligible to participate in RNA contests. In addition:

• All journalists who write for general circulation media outlets are eligible to enter.
• RNA membership is NOT required for entry.
• RNA's president and contest chair are not eligible to enter individual contests.
• Entries will not be returned.

If you have questions about your eligibility, please call (614) 891-9001, ext. 2 or e-mail McCallen@RNA.org.

About the Award

The John M. Templeton Foundation funds the Templeton Story of the Year Award. Created in 2003, the contest honors the best single story or serialized story about religion, religious movements or religious figures and their effect on American life.  The foundation also sponsors the Templeton Religion Reporter of the Year Award.  Beginning his work on Wall Street in 1937, Templeton established some of the world's largest and most successful international investment funds. He eventually sold his funds in 1992 for $440 million. His philanthropy extends toward projects, college courses, books and essays on the benefits of cooperation between science and religion. The Templeton Religion Reporter of the Year and Templeton Story of the Year are the most prestigious RNA prizes and boast the highest award amounts of RNA's contests—$3,500 each.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: TEMPLETON STORY AWARD

ENTRY PREPARATION & PAYMENT QUESTIONS
ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS
GENERAL QUESTIONS

TEMPLETON STORY ENTRY PREPARATION & PAYMENT INFORMATION

May I send computer printouts?
Yes. If you choose to send computer printouts, please make them plain text, printed out portrait-oriented on 8.5” x 11” paper, with a 1.5” left margin, three-hole punched on the left.

May I send clips cut out from my newspaper or magazine?
Yes.

May I send my entry in some other format?
Yes. You may send your entry in any format you wish, including portfolios, scrapbooks or binders.

What identifying information IS allowed on my entry?
Everything. You may leave your entry as it appeared when published.

What identifying information is NOT allowed on my entry?
You do not have to remove any information from Templeton Story entries. 

May I submit a series?
Yes. Your series must be clearly defined (ie: “Part 1 of a three-part series”).

Should I include sidebars, informational graphics or photos with my entry?
You may include all of the above, so long as it was published in the same day (or days, if submitting a series). It must be part of a single serialized report. Unrelated stories or submissions not accompanied with appropriate notation of the story/series will be disqualified.

May I submit a story with more than one byline?
Yes. There are no limits on numbers of reporters, writers or editors.  Bylines may be different from story to story if submitting a series.

Do I have to number the pages in my entry?
No.

What is the publishing date range to enter stories in the 2007 RNA Templeton Story Contest?
Stories PUBLISHED Jan. 1, 2006 to Dec. 31, 2006 are eligible.  If entering a serialized story that runs in more than one calendar year, the entry will be submitted to the calendar year in which the majority of the stories appeared. If an equal number of stories appeared in the two calendar years, the reports must be entered in the latter of the two years.

Should I submit personal comments or a letter from my editor with my Templeton Story entry?
Yes. Editor’s letters are allowed in this contest.

May I copy the entry form if I enter more than one contest?
Yes. Be sure to write the contest name on the top of each of your entries, and include an entry form with every entry.

May my newspaper use one check to cover multiple people’s entries for many contests?
Yes. Include with the check a list of all the people and contests the check covers to make certain proper credit is given. 

May payment checks be sent separately from entries?
Yes, just note on your entry form that the check will arrive at RNA under separate cover.  Be sure the check’s memo includes who and what contest the payment covers.

What forms of payment do you accept?
Check, credit card (VISA, MC, DISC, AMEX), cash, money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to RNA or Religion Newswriters Association.

Will I receive confirmation that RNA received my entry?
No. You are welcome to call 614-891-9001, ext. 2, if you’d like to verify that RNA received it.

Should I staple my entry form to the entry?
Please do not staple the form to your entry.  You may use paperclips if you like, but they are not necessary.  Entries will be placed into notebooks for judging.

I’m sending my entry via FedEx, UPS or DHL.  What RNA address should I use?
Send your entry to: RNA: Contests, 99-A North State Street, Westerville, OH 43081.

TEMPLETON STORY ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS

Is there a circulation-size requirement for Templeton Story?
No. All newspaper sizes are eligible.

Do I have to be a member of RNA to enter Templeton Story?
No, but you are welcome to use your entry form to join RNA.

Do I have to be a religion beat reporter to submit an entry?
No. Any journalist may enter provided the stories were published in an eligible publication.

Are religious publications eligible to enter Templeton Story?
No. Religious media, including media whose goal is to support or promote a particular religion, faith community or religious group, are not eligible to participate in RNA contests.

May full-time students (high school, undergrad or graduate) enter Templeton Story?
Yes, full-time students may enter Templeton Story.  However, full-time students many not enter both Templeton Story and Chandler.  Templeton Story entries from students must be from a general circulation publication (Articles from student media are not allowed in Templeton Story).

I’m a columnist who writes about religion. May I enter Templeton Story?
Yes.

I work for a newspaper outside North America. May I enter RNA’s contests?
No, only U.S. and Canadian outlets are eligible to enter RNA’s contests.

Are broadcast outlets or online-only outlets eligible to enter Templeton Story?
Templeton Story is for print-primary publications. However, articles that also appeared on a newspaper’s or magazine's Web site are eligible as well.

Why would an entry be disqualified, and what is the process for disqualification?
An entry could be disqualified for the following reasons: 1) Didn’t follow contest rules  2) Doesn’t meet eligibility requirements  3) Didn’t follow entry preparation guidelines.  The contest chairperson contacts the entrant to let him/her know their entry is disqualified and why. The entry fee is returned.

TEMPLETON STORY GENERAL QUESTIONS

May I submit more than one entry for the Templeton Story Award?
There are no limits on the number of entries from the same person or outlet.  However, each entry requires a separate entry fee, and the stories for each entry must be different.

May I enter other contests too?
Absolutely. You may enter as many contests as you like, provided you meet the eligibility requirements for each contest.

Who judges the contest?
Judges include former contest winners, religion writers or others with specialized knowledge of religion reporting. Judges are not allowed to judge contests in which they may have a conflict of interest.

How many finalists/winners will the judges choose?
Judges generally select 10 finalists and three top winners. 

When will I know if I’m a finalist?
RNA posts the finalists on its Web site, www.RNA.org, by May 15. The list is also published in the RNA newsletter.

When will I know if I’m a winner?
The contest chairman will contact winners in June. Winners are revealed to the general public at the Awards Banquet at RNA’s Annual Conference.

What are Templeton Story’s cash awards?
First—$3,500, Second—$400, Third—$200

Do I have to collect my prize in person to receive it?
No. Most winners do try to attend the Awards Banquet, however, because the event is so enjoyable. There is no cost to you and one guest to attend the banquet. If you are unable to attend the banquet, we will mail you your check and plaque.

Can I get a copy of the judges’ comments about my entry?
Only winners receive judges’ comments, if the judges provide them.

Do you publish past entries?
At www.RNA.org, we link to stories from the first, second and third place entries in each writing contest (when possible).

Do you return entries?
We are not able to return entries.