The NIHCM Foundation Trade Journalism Award is an annual recognition of excellence in reporting within the trade journalism sector. This award is designed to honor journalists whose work provides valuable insights into health care management, financing, delivery, and affordability in the United States. By acknowledging investigative and in-depth journalism, the award aims to contribute to better decision-making by managed care organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders working to improve health care quality and affordability.

For its 31st annual cycle, the Trade Journalism Award will present a $15,000 prize to the winner. Eligible entries must have been originally published in 2024 and should focus on some aspect of health care affordability, rising costs, or quality of care within the U.S. context. The competition is open to publications that cater to a specialty audience, such as industry professionals or policymakers. Each entrant may submit up to three entries, but each article or series can only be submitted to one category.

Submissions are judged based on the quality of reporting and the potential impact of the work. Entries should generate new evidence or insights that can improve health care management, affordability, or policy. Strong entries will be particularly relevant to private-sector stakeholders and will highlight how managed care organizations, policymakers, and other decision-makers can enhance the affordability and quality of care. An independent panel of journalists and researchers will evaluate submissions.

The award application process is currently open and will close on March 28, 2025. There is no entry fee for submitting an application. Those who encounter difficulties in submitting their entries or have questions regarding the process are encouraged to reach out to Mikayla Thompson at mthompson@nihcm.org.

The NIHCM Foundation is based in Washington, DC, and can be contacted via telephone at 202-296-4426. Additional details about the foundation’s initiatives, including journalism grants and other awards, can be found on their website.