Recognizing journalism connecting demographic change and planetary health
Submit by 9 October 2026 for a chance at one of two $500 awards
The Demographics & Planetary Health Story Prize recognizes original published journalism tracing the connections between demographic change and planetary health—population dynamics, reproductive health, migration, climate, and the economic and geopolitical forces binding them.
Now open for submissions through 9 October 2026, the prize is presented by the William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health (WHGI), the Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health and the Planetary Health Alliance, the Hopkins Population Center, and the Fuller Project.
Work must have been published in 2026. The prize is open to journalists, freelancers, community reporters, and student journalists; submissions from NGO or organizational blogs are not eligible.
Submission Categories
- Print, Podcast, Digital News & Newsletters: for journalists and reporters taking a more traditional approach, whether self-publishing or publishing with a recognized outlet (Award: $500 USD).
- Social Media, Blogs & Video: for creators who use social networks or personally driven outlets to reach their audiences (Award: $500 USD).
Key Dates
- 22 September 2026: Virtual pitch session. Experts discuss the storylines driving this field right now, on the sidelines of Climate Week NYC and UNGA 81.
- 9 October 2026: Submissions close.
- 22 October 2026: Winners announced and invited to the Demographics & Planetary Health Convening in Washington, D.C.
Winning and selected submissions will be shared with audiences across the planetary health, demography, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) communities.
Full eligibility rules, story topics and formats, judging criteria, submission requirements, and the entry form are on the official story prize page:
