What are the deadlines and fees to enter the Neal Awards?
Nominations Open - January 5, 2021
Early Bird Deadline ($160) - January 31, 2021
Regular Deadline ($210) - February 21, 2021
Extended Deadline ($260) - March 7, 2021
What information is needed for the entry form?
If I am entering a print article or series, do I submit tear sheets?
Do not submit tear sheets and instead upload a standard PDF of the print article(s). A high-resolution image (300 DPI or press-ready PDF) of the opening page of your entry is also required for use at the ceremony if your entry is named a finalist.
Will there be an in-person Ceremony?
For 2021, we will hold a virtual Neal Awards Ceremony. When we announce finalists, registration will open for seats to the virtual event. We encourage you to gather your teams and celebrate with us virtually and your fellow Neal Award finalists on June 9, 2021.
Are the Neal Awards open to non-members?
Yes! For 2021, SIIA will accept nominations from non-member companies.
When and where does the entry have to be published to qualify?
Entries must have been published in a a speciality publication or website between January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
Are non-English entries accepted?
No. At this time we accept only entries published in English.
How many entries can a title submit into one category?
For each title, two entries may be submitted in any one category.
How many entries are permitted per title?
No more than 20 entries per title.
Can I enter the same entry in multiple categories?
No, unless it is an individual item contained in an entry for Best Single Issue, Best Overall Art Direction/Design, Best Infographics, Best Website, Best Range of Work by a Single Author, Best Subject-Related Integrated Package, Best Editorial Use of Data, or Best Media Brand.
Individual items in the above categories can be entered separately in other categories. You may enter Best Single Article as well as the same article for Best Art Direction for a Single Article.
Can multiple titles contributing to an entry qualify?
Yes, if the work was produced collaboratively and disseminated to readers as part of a cohesive package. If the titles are in different revenue classes, please pick the higher revenue class.
How do I find my SRDS number?
What is the character limit for describing my audience and the industry/profession/business served?
1,500 characters (including spaces).
What is the character limit for the background statement describing the significance, intent and outcome of the material?
1,500 characters (including spaces).
The Call for Entries states that there is a limit of eight people who can be listed
on an entry - I have more. What should I do?
If you have more than eight people who have worked on your entry, we suggest you check the "Acknowledge Entire Staff" box.
Where do I upload my submission?
On the online entry site, you can create an entry by clicking on the "Add Entry" button. On the tab "Entry Assets" of your new entry creation, you can upload your PDF and/or include digital links.
If I start an entry, but cannot finish it, can I complete it at a later time?
Yes. Save your entry and go back to it when you are ready to work on it again.
Can I use my login from previous Neal Award programs for entries and/or judging?
No, you must complete a new registration for each awards cycle and judging. If you use the same email address, the system should remember your info and make it easier to fill out the form.
Is the Neal Award entry/judging login the same as my SIIA website login?
The Neal Award entry and judging system (Omni) is different than the SIIA website. You may set the same credentials if you’d like, but separate registration is required.
How do I pay for my entry?
All entries are paid for online with a credit card. Connectiv is no longer accepting checks as a form of payment.
I don't see my question here - whom should I contact?
Can I participate in judging if my company submitted for a Neal Award?
Yes! We encourage entrants and their colleagues to sign up as judges. Entries are carefully sorted to avoid any conflicts of interest.
I am only interested in judging certain categories, how do I specify that?
Please select the categories you are interested in judging within the judge sign-up form; we will try our best to accommodate.
Someone from my company is already judging, can I participate too?
Yes! We encourage as many qualified candidates from a company to participate in Neal Award judging. Sign up to judge here.
How much of a time commitment is Round 1 Judging?
Judge and entry matching are determined based on how many entries are received and how many judges sign up. In previous years, judges received up to 20 entries, depending on the categories they were assigned. You can expect to dedicate around 10 hours, but we give you two weeks to complete your judging, so it can split up based on your schedule. These numbers are subject to changed based on entries submitted and confirmed judges.
Can I use my login from previous Neal Award programs for judging?
No, you must complete a new registration for each awards cycle and judging. If you use the same email address, the system should remember your info and make it easier to fill out the form.
I forgot my judge login, what now?
You can reset your login online, or reach out to nealawards@siia.net and we’d be happy to reset it for you.
How do I participate in Stage 2 or Stage 3 Judging?
Currently, Stage 2 and Stage 3 are by invitation-only. But if you are interested in participating we encourage you to reach out to nealawards@siia.net and state your background and why you think you’d make a good judge.
I signed up as a judge, but can no longer participate, now what?
We kindly ask if you signed up to be a Neal Awards judge and can no longer fulfill your commitment to please email nealawards@siia.net ASAP to inform us so we can move your assigned entries to another judge.
Will Stage 2 or Stage 3 judging be in-person this year?
For 2021, we have decided to have the judging virtually. We will have an “in-person” virtual judge day via Zoom for Stage 2 judges on April 16, 2021. For Stage 3 judging “in-person” portion, we will have two virtual judge days via zoom on April 29, 2021 and April 30, 2021.