Wounded Warrior Project, National Press Foundation to Recognize Journalists Reporting on Veterans

Submissions are now open for the 2025 Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Award for Excellence in Coverage of Veterans — a journalism honor presented in partnership with the National Press Foundation, recognizing powerful reporting that elevates the voices, challenges, and triumphs of America’s veterans.

Now in its second year, the award honors journalists who demonstrate exceptional skill and dedication in reporting on veterans issues. Entries for the 2025 award cycle are due by Sept. 30, 2025.

“Quality journalism can illuminate the service and sacrifice of military veterans in America. Wounded Warrior Project wants to foster a deeper understanding of veterans’ needs and their contributions to society,” said Sherry Sanderford, director of Public Relations and Thought Leadership at WWP. “We are honored to team up with the National Press Foundation to recognize excellent journalism with the Wounded Warrior Project® Award for Excellence in Coverage of Veterans.”

Award Honors Outstanding Journalism – Apply by Sept. 30, 2025

• Two award winners will each receive a $5,000 prize.
• One award will go to a journalist at a large media outlet category.
• The other award will go to a journalist at a small or regional outlet category (averaging less than 15 million monthly visits to its website).
• The award is open to U.S.-based journalists working across all media formats, from print and digital to broadcast and podcasting.

Interested journalists can submit a variety of reporting, from in-depth investigative pieces on veterans issues to inspiring features on how veterans contribute to their communities. The reporting must have been published between Sept. 30, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025, the final deadline for submission.

A panel of distinguished journalists and experts will judge the submissions based on their impact and creativity. Winners will be honored at NPF’s annual journalism awards dinner in Washington, DC.

Journalists can submit their work for consideration and find more information and entry guidelines on NPF’s website.

In 2024, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Long Lead won the inaugural awards for outstanding work that humanized two of the most urgent issues facing veterans: suicide and homelessness.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Behind the Gun series, led by investigative journalist John Diedrich, examined firearm suicide through personal stories, including from veterans.

Long Lead’s in-depth multimedia project, Home of the Brave, documented the years-long challenge to provide housing for homeless veterans on the West Los Angeles VA campus – land that was originally granted to the federal government after the Civil War for that very purpose.

Through initiatives like this, WWP knows that thoughtful reporting helps to inform and educate the American public. News stories have helped give a voice to America’s military veterans, shining a light on their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. In recent times, news media told the stories of veterans with rare cancers related to their exposure to toxins during military service, helping illustrate the need for the Honoring Our PACT Act to be passed in 2022.

Contact: Julian Routh, Public Relations, jrouth@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.544.0195

About Wounded Warrior Project®
Wounded Warrior Project is our nation’s leading veteran services organization, focused on the total well-being of post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured veterans. Our programs, advocacy, and awareness efforts help warriors thrive, provide essential lifelines to families and caregivers, and prevent veteran suicides. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.