Business Journalist Awards 2024

Welcome to the UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards 2024 in association with Bank of Ireland. These awards recognise and acknowledge excellence in business journalism across broadcast, print and online media.

Entries can be submitted either by journalists themselves, or on behalf of journalists by their editors or peers. There are 3 steps involved in the entry process.
(1) personal details of entrant, (2) select category, and (3) upload documents. The closing date for submissions is Wednesday September 4th at 5pm.

All entrants should carefully review the categories, entry instructions and terms & conditions on our website https://www.smurfitschool.ie/bja before making submissions.

The winner of each category will receive €1,000 and a specially designed trophy. The awards ceremony will take place in December 2024. We invite you to enter and look forward to receiving your submissions. If you experience any issues while completing the entry form, please contact orla.wrynn@ucd.ie.

Entry Form

Step 1: Details of Entrant
Step 2: Select Category (please tick the categories you wish to enter)
  • Please carefully review the 'how to enter instructions' at https://www.smurfitschool.ie/events/businessjournalistawards/howtoenter/ before making your submission.
  • Entrants may enter up to a maximum of 3 categories.
  • Entrants may only enter each category once. (Exception - a second submission in the same category will be accepted in the case where individuals are also part of a team submission and clearly named in the group by-line.)
  • Entrants may not submit the same piece in multiple categories. (Exception - entrants to the Upcoming Journalist category may enter a piece submitted in that category to another category in the awards)

The Business News Story of the Year Award will recognise an article that breaks a news item of significance about a business, sector or the economy, most often over a limited period of hours or days. This category rewards quick reactions and fast background research of a breaking story that should either be of general interest and/or have a strong impact on the subject of the story, the sector within which it operates, its stakeholders or on stock markets. The submitted article should display excellent research, initiative and investigative ability and be precise and factual in its content. Entrants are asked to nominate a single article / piece for their application in this category.

Business Podcast / Audio Story of the Year recognises a radio / audio broadcast segment or podcast episode that tells a compelling story or reveals a new business insight into a sector, story, topic or interview with a business person/people. This could be a podcast, radio broadcast or other audio content. The interviewer or journalist’s preparation is as important as the interviewee’s as we are looking for a segment that captivates listeners and facilitates a greater understanding of the issues discussed. Entrants are asked to nominate a single episode or segment for their application. In the cover letter of your submission, please outline other topics you cover and how the treatment of the topic is different over audio compared to other print mediums.

The Business Feature of the Year will be awarded for a colourful, well-constructed and analytical profile or feature showcasing great journalism, which takes a deeper look at a business story or issue and through a broadcast or written article that facilitates a greater understanding of the issue among the general public and/or the business community. Entrants are asked to nominate a single article / piece for their application in this category.

This award is for a portfolio of incisive commentary giving valuable insight into a key business issue or story. The award recognises in-depth reporting in specialist business fields. The articles should be of general public interest or make complex issues understandable to a general audience. The pieces might have helped change public opinion or affected a change in company/government policy or regulatory requirements. Entrants can submit up to two pieces showcasing their quality of reporting over the year.

Business Interview of the Year is a category which recognises an interview with a business person or person of significant influence to the business community by providing rich insights into the subject of the interview and their business or sector which ultimately facilitates a greater understanding of the interviewee, their business, sector or a story or issue in which they have a key influence or involvement. In the cover letter, outline how the interview was secured (placed or scoop) and additional details that may be relevant to the judging process. Entrants are asked to nominate a single article / piece for their application in this category.

This award celebrates consistent excellence in business journalism by a woman for work that fosters a greater understanding of business and economics, shows outstanding writing, reporting, analysis or commentary, and will promote female role models in journalism for future generations. Entrants can submit up to two pieces showcasing their quality of reporting over the year.

The Upcoming Journalist of the Year category is open to early-career entrants who have been working as business journalists for three years or less. Entrants must include a personal declaration and confirmation from their editor that the nominated entrant's experience in business journalism does not exceed three years as of 1st September 2024. Entrants in this category may not have worked as a business journalist (in a paid capacity) prior to 1st September 2021 or have been working as a journalist for more than five years. Entrants in this category must submit three pieces of journalistic content from the last 12 months: 4th September 2023 to 4th September 2024. In addition, entrants to this category may enter a piece submitted here to another category in the awards.

Step 3: Upload Documents
You have not selected any categories. Press the 'Previous Page' button to go back.
  • Cover Letters are required with all entries. The cover letter is an important part of the application. Please carefully review the points to be addressed within the cover letter on https://www.smurfitschool.ie/events/businessjournalistawards/howtoenter/ before making your submission.
  • For Categories A, B, C & E – entrants are only permitted to submit one piece/article
  • For Category D & F – entrants can submit up to 2 pieces/articles
  • For Category G – entrants must submit a portfolio of 3 pieces from the last 12 months. Entrants for Category G must also provide a personal declaration and confirmation from their Editor that the applicant's experience does not exceed 3 years as at 1st September 2024.
  • Documents required: PDF and Word versions of published article, or in the case of broadcast, audio and online entries a URL link. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie.
  • Once you have uploaded your entry, press the 'Complete Submission' button. Please allow time for your submission to process.

A: Business News Story of the Year

Please upload your cover letter and submissions

PDF articles that spread across 2 pdfs can be uploaded individually. Upload Page 1 and you will see an option to add Page 2

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

B: Business Podcast / Audio Story of the Year

Please upload your cover letter and submission

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

Piece 2

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

Piece 3

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

C: Business Feature of the Year

Please upload your cover letter and submissions

PDF articles that spread across 2 pdfs can be uploaded individually. Upload Page 1 and you will see an option to add Page 2

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

Piece 2

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

Piece 3

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

D: Business Analyst of the Year

Please upload your cover letter and submissions

PDF articles that spread across 2 pdfs can be uploaded individually. Upload Page 1 and you will see an option to add Page 2

Piece 1

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

Piece 2

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

Piece 3

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

E: Business Interview of the Year

Please upload your cover letter and submissions

PDF articles that spread across 2 pdfs can be uploaded individually. Upload Page 1 and you will see an option to add Page 2

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

F: Women in Business Journalism Award

Please upload your cover letter and submissions

PDF articles that spread across 2 pdfs can be uploaded individually. Upload Page 1 and you will see an option to add Page 2

Piece 1

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

Piece 2

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

Piece 3

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

G: Upcoming Journalist of the Year

Please upload your cover letter and submissions

PDF articles that spread across 2 pdfs can be uploaded individually. Upload Page 1 and you will see an option to add Page 2

Piece 1

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

Piece 2

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie

Piece 3

The URL submission option is for broadcast, audio and online entries if applicable. Where a URL link is not available, entrants can send the related MP3/MP4 file to orla.wrynn@ucd.ie