2024 Student Freedom of Information Award Nomination Form

The Student Freedom of Information Award recognizes a student journalist or team of journalists for outstanding and tenacious use of public records in reporting that promotes transparency and brings important issues to light in their school or community. The award is sponsored by the Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida.

Some additional information:

Each nomination must be based on reporting that was published or broadcast between June 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
The reporting should be produced by student journalists at high schools or colleges within the United States, whether it was created within student media, a reporting lab, class or other program.
Anyone can nominate a worthy student, and students are encouraged to nominate their own exceptional work.
You may submit multiple nominations by submitting separate forms.
If applicable, you may also nominate the same student(s) for SPLC's Courage in Student Journalism Award. The nomination form for that award will open soon.
Deadline Extended: Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. eastern on June 30, 2024.

Learn more about the award and past winners at splc.org/awards. If you have any questions, email us at splc@splc.org.

Nominee Information

Nominee Name(s)

You can nominate an individual student or a team of students. Provide all names here if multiple nominees.

Nominee Email(s)

Please do NOT use a school email address if possible, as sometimes school servers block emails from SPLC.

Nominee Phone Number(s)

Your Information

Your Name	Your Phone Number
Your Email Please do NOT use a school email address.	Your relation to nominee(s) For example: self, adviser, administrator, parent

School & News Organization Information

School/College Name

Type of School

Media Outlet Name

Type of Media Outlet

If other media type,
please describe:

City

State

If other territory or province,
please list:

FOI Nomination

Briefly describe the subject matter of the reporting. (Not to exceed 250 words.)

Identify the specific records obtained, the relevant government agency or agencies, and how those records informed the reporting. (Not to exceed 250 words.)

If applicable, describe any denials, stonewalling or other obstacles faced, and what actions were taken to overcome them. (Not to exceed 250 words.)

What lasting impact did the nominee(s)' reporting and actions for transparency have? (Not to exceed 250 words.)

Supporting Materials

Link(s) (required): Please provide links to the relevant reporting. If the circumstances also received outside media coverage, you may also provide links to those.

Letter(s) of support (encouraged): You may provide up to two letters of support from others that can corroborate, provide context or otherwise support the nominees. Letters are not required, but we encourage at least one. Letters may be uploaded here or separately emailed by the writer to splc@splc.org by 11:59 p.m. ET June 30, 2024.

Other materials (optional): You may upload up to three other supporting documents, such as the public records requests.

Thank you! We hope to notify winners by July 31. College awards will be presented at the Fall National College Media Convention, which is Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2024, in New Orleans. High school awards will be presented at the National High School Journalism Convention, which is Nov. 7-10, 2024, in Philadelphia.