2027 Iowa Better Newspaper Contests
2027 Iowa Better Newspaper Contests
The INF sponsors these annual contests for one reason: to foster competition and quality among Iowa's newspapers. Last year, nearly 3,200 entries poured into our office. It's an annual opportunity for newspapers and journalists to receive recognition for their talent and hard work.
CONTEST INFO*REMINDER! Submit ALL entries online. Total Newspaper Design is the ONLY category to allow for hard copy submissions. Other mailed in entries will not be accepted. See all contest rules and categories at https://inanews.com/contests-events/contests/ Entries may be submitted as full-page (PDF) tearsheets or whole issues depending on the category. When submitting entries that have been published on digital platforms, provide a URL or a screenshot of the content as it originally appeared.
ENTRY FEES & PAYMENTPayment required upon submission. We do NOT bill for contest entries. There will be an entry fee of $7.00 for each contest entry entered and paid for before October 9. The entry fee must be paid online when submitting entries or mailed to the INF with mailed contest entries. Entries submitted after October 9 and before October 16 will be charged an additional $1 along with a flat $75 fee per newspaper.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONSLogging In - Newspapers that entered the 2026 Better Newspaper Contest will use the same password as the newspaper used last year to log in. If you have forgotten the password used in 2026, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset your password. Newspapers that did not enter in 2026 will use the password bnc. For additional details download the entry guide at https://inanews.com/contests-events/contests/
Any INA Active (Newspaper) member in good standing may enter the contests. Eligible publications must meet the definition of an active INA member as outlined in section 3.2 of INA by-laws, including but not limited to having a paid circulation of at least 50 percent of total circulation, publishing 50 times per year and having completed one year of publication with a Periodicals mailing permit. It is the intent of the INF Better Newspaper Contests to recognize and reward Iowa Newspaper enterprises for content of a local nature, that content which is unique to the communities the newspapers serve. Contest entries are subject to use by INA to promote the industry.
