2026 Hillman Prizes for journalists

Posted by Sidney Hillman Foundation on December 2, 2025

Sidney Hillman Foundation invites nominations for the 2026 Hillman Prizes

Since 1950, the Sidney Hillman Foundation has honored journalists, writers, and public figures who pursue investigative journalism and public policy in service of the common good. Sidney Hillman was the founding president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, a predecessor union of Workers United, SEIU. Sidney Hillman, an architect of the New Deal, fought to build a vibrant union movement extending beyond the shop floor to all aspects of working people’s lives.

The foundation invites nominations for the 2026 Hillman Prize. Prizes of $5,000 will be awarded as well as a certificate at the annual ceremony, to be held in New York City on May 5, 2026.

Prize categories include book (nonfiction), newspaper journalism (story, series, or multimedia; print or online); magazine journalism (longform; print or online), broadcast journalism (television, radio or podcast; at least 20 minutes in total package length), and opinion and analysis journalism (commentary and analysis in any medium). All Hillman Prize entries also will be automatically considered for the SEIU Award for Reporting on Racial and Economic Justice.

The contest is open to journalists and subjects globally, although work must be widely accessible to a U.S. audience. Self-nominations are allowed. There is no limit to the number of entries one outlet or publication may enter.

For complete program guidelines, application instructions, and information about previous winners, see the Sidney Hillman Foundation website.

Deadline: January 30, 2026