Happy Contest Season NDNA members!
It is NDNA Better Newspaper Contest Time! The 2026 NDNA BNC is OPEN!
Contest Link: www.newspapercontest.com/northdakota. Find the NDNA 2026 Rules and Regulations (green tab) within the contest link AND attached here. The document outlines each category and provides the information needed to enter and what the judges will use to determine winners.
READ the Basic Instructions on the landing page (link above) in addition to the contest rules and categories. The most asked question I get is what is our "association code" and it is answered in question #1 of the Basic Instructions. You need this code to set up your profile.
There are a few reminders this year:
- REMINDER: ALL entries must be uploaded electronically BUT, a hard copy is still required - for the General Excellence and Overall Design Excellence categories - send to the NDNA office.
- RETURNING THIS YEAR: - A-Mark Foundation and NDNA have partnered up and there is a SPECIAL award offering cash incentives for Investigative Journalism. See Page 16 for more information!
- Reminder: if you are mailing in a check for payment, it must be postmarked by the deadline date of January 20, 2026. Credit card/PayPal accepted.
- Entry fee is $8 per entry. The A-Mark Foundation award has a $25 entry fee. No late entries will be allowed. The contest closes at 8:59 pm on 1.20.26.
- Please forward this email to your contest Entry Coordinator if you are not the contact.
- Note: You will need to create a new login/password. Information from last year was not saved.
- Pro Tip: Do yourself a favor, do not wait until the last day or two to enter! Helps reduce stress!
- Last but not least - we need contest judges! In order for the whole contest process to work, associations must swap judging responsibilities with other associations. This year NDNA will be judging the Nebraska Press Association and vice versa. The judging will start in early February. While it is "one more thing to do" it is important to the contest and contestants, provides opportunity to find new story ideas and you are giving back to the industry. Please consider judging and feel free to pass this link on to others who may have retired, moved on to other jobs, etc. Anyone with experience is qualified! Thank you! Click here - NDNA to Judge NPA - 1.10.26 Deadline!
Please let me know if you have any questions. Good Luck and we look forward to seeing you at the NDNA Convention at North Dakota's Gateway to Science in Bismarck, ND on April 30 - May 1, 2026.
If you have questions, please reach you. I am happy to help!
Laura Niemi, BNC Contest Administrator
North Dakota Newspaper Association
612-278-0226
contest@ndna.com