Nominations Open: AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism

Deadline: 07-Dec-2026

The AACR June L.Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism recognizes professional journalists who produce accurate, compelling stories that improve public understanding of cancer, cancer research, cancer advocacy, or cancer policy. The 2026 prize offers an unrestricted $5,000 cash award and a commemorative award, with submissions accepted from eligible journalists worldwide. What Is the AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism? The prize is an annual journalism award established in 2015 through a bequest from cancer research pioneer Dr. June L. Biedler. It recognizes the important role journalists play in communicating cancer research and related issues to the general public. The award focuses on journalism that is: Accurate and evidence-based. Informative and engaging. Accessible to lay audiences. Relevant to cancer research, advocacy, policy, or public understanding. Effective in explaining complex cancer-related topics to the public. What Does the Prize Recognize? Eligible journalism should contribute meaningfully to public understanding of cancer and related issues. Other qualifying journalism aimed at lay audiences. The submitted work must have been published or broadcast for the first time between December 1, 2025, and November 30, 2026. What Is the Prize Amount?

The winner receives:

$5,000 unrestricted cash award Commemorative award If the submission includes up to two cocontributors, the $5,000 cash prize is shared among the eligible recipients. Each recipient also receives a personalized commemorative award. Why Does the Award Matter? Cancer research is complex, and scientific developments can be difficult for the general public to understand. High-quality journalism helps translate scientific findings, medical developments and policy debates into information that people can understand and use. The AACR June L. Biedler Prize recognizes journalists who make this information accessible while maintaining accuracy and journalistic quality. The award can provide recognition for journalists whose reporting has contributed to greater public awareness of cancer research, treatment, advocacy or policy. Publication and Language Requirements Submitted work must meet specific publication and language requirements.

The work must:

Have been published or broadcast for the first time between December 1, 2025, and November 30, 2026. Be written or presented in English, or accurately translated into English. Target a lay public audience. Meet the requirements of the prize category and submission platform. Applicants should ensure that translations accurately represent the original work. How to Apply for the AACR June L. Biedler Prize Applications must be submitted electronically through the AACR award nomination platform. Applicants should prepare the required information and submission materials before starting the online nomination.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that you are:

A professional journalist. Applying as an individual rather than an institution or organization. Working for a primarily lay-public audience. Submitting eligible journalism. Submitting work first published or broadcast within the required period.

Step 2: Select the Work

Choose a qualifying story or journalism project that demonstrates a strong contribution to public understanding of cancer. The work should clearly demonstrate its relevance to cancer, cancer research, advocacy or policy.

Step 3: Prepare the Impact Statement

The application requires an impact statement. Use this section to explain why the work matters and how it contributed to public understanding of cancer or a related issue. A strong impact statement should clearly describe: The issue addressed. The intended audience. The significance of the reporting. How the work improved understanding or generated meaningful public awareness.

Step 4: Submit the Required Information

The electronic application should include: Applicant information. Prize category. Impact statement. Electronic version of the submitted work. If applicable, provide information about cocontributors according to the award requirements.

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

The application deadline is December 7, 2026. Applicants should submit early enough to resolve any technical or documentation problems before the deadline. How to Make a Strong Submission A competitive submission should demonstrate more than simply covering a cancer-related topic.

Consider highlighting:

Accuracy: Are scientific and medical claims presented responsibly?

Clarity: Can a general audience understand the subject?

Public value: Does the story address an issue important to patients or society?

Originality: Does the reporting provide meaningful insight or new information?

Impact: Did the journalism improve awareness or understanding?

Storytelling: Is complex information presented in a compelling way?

Evidence: Does the reporting rely on credible sources and appropriate research?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting work published outside the eligible date range. Submitting journalism intended primarily for specialist or trade audiences. Applying as an institution or organization rather than as an eligible journalist. Failing to provide an impact statement. Submitting incomplete application materials. Providing inaccurate or incomplete English translations. Missing the December 7, 2026 deadline. Choosing a story that has only a superficial connection to cancer without demonstrating its broader public value. Key Facts About the AACR June L. Biedler Prize

Award: AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism

Award amount: $5,000

Additional recognition: Commemorative award

Eligible applicants: Professional journalists

Geographic eligibility: Worldwide

Audience: Lay/general public

Eligible formats: Print, online, podcast, radio, television and multimedia

Publication period: December 1, 2025–November 30, 2026

Language: English or accurately translated into English

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