The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) has opened submissions for the SOPA 2026 Awards for Editorial Excellence, with entries accepted until 3 p.m. Hong Kong time on 26 February 2026.

Now in its 28th year, the awards program remains one of the most respected honors in Asia-Pacific journalism, often described as the region’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prizes. SOPA’s 21 categories span English, Chinese, and Bahasa Indonesia entries, creating space for both major international outlets and smaller independent newsrooms across the region.

Last year’s awards drew more than 700 entries, with regional and local submissions rising by nearly twenty percent. SOPA noted that the program continues to be an important platform for smaller outlets. In 2025, The Wire won the top Regional/Local Women’s Issues Award for “Breaking the Nets,” while Mekong Eye earned the leading investigative prize for “Cattle Hustle.”

SOPA will again offer subsidies for first-time entrants and smaller media organizations with no more than 20 full-time staff, at least half of whom work in editorial. Eligible outlets can receive funding for up to two entries at HKD 200 (USD 25) per entry. Publications are encouraged to inquire early via mail@sopasia.com.

This year’s awards will be administered by a new five-member SOPA Awards Administration Panel headed by veteran journalist Chris Yeung, with Jeffrey Timmermans, Edith Terry, Heng Yu Chien, and Harry Surjadi. The panel will oversee the judging process, where more than 100 journalists and academics from around the world review and score entries.

For a limited time, new SOPA members can receive a 40 percent discount on membership fees, which grants an equivalent discount on up to five award entries at non-member pricing. New and existing members must request their discount codes by 26 February 2026.

2026 Award Categories

• Excellence in Reporting on Women’s Issues

• Excellence in Journalistic Innovation

• Excellence in Audio Reporting

• Excellence in Video Reporting

• Excellence in Human Rights Reporting

• Excellence in Feature Writing

• Excellence in Technology Reporting

• Excellence in Magazine Design

• Excellence in Arts and Culture Reporting

• Excellence in Bahasa Indonesia News Reporting

• Excellence in Explanatory Reporting

• Excellence in Business Reporting

• Excellence in Infographics

• Excellence in Reporting Breaking News

• Excellence in Opinion Writing

• Excellence in Reporting on the Environment

• Excellence in Photography

• The Scoop Award

• Carlos Tejada Award for Excellence in Investigative Reporting

• SOPA Award for Young Journalist

• SOPA Award for Public Service Journalism

Full entry guidelines, eligibility requirements, and submission information are available at www.sopawards.com.