What Are the National Magazine Awards
The National Magazine Awards, also known as the Ellie Awards, honor editorial excellence in magazine journalism across print and digital platforms. The awards are administered by the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) and recognize work published in eligible US and international magazines https://www.asme.media/awards.
Categories span reporting, essays, feature writing, commentary, criticism, design, photography, and digital-only storytelling. The program evaluates entries based on reporting depth, writing quality, visual presentation, and impact on the public conversation. Finalists and winners are announced at an annual ceremony attended by editors, publishers, and journalists.
2025 National Magazine Awards Winners and Finalists
The 2025 National Magazine Awards announced finalists across multiple categories, with winners selected by a panel of judges from leading newsrooms https://www.asme.media/awards/national-magazine-awards. Winning entries are recognized for investigative rigor, narrative craft, and innovation in magazine storytelling.
Key Winners and Notable Entries
In the General Excellence category, magazines with consistent editorial quality, strong audience engagement, and distinguished reporting are honored. Other prominent categories include Reporting, Essays and Criticism, Design, and Digital Innovation, reflecting the evolving standards of magazine journalism https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/02/14/the-national-magazine-awards-and-what-they-mean-for-magazine-excellence.
How to Submit Entries to the National Magazine Awards
Eligibility requires that entries be published in a magazine that meets ASME criteria for journalistic merit and circulation. Publishers and editors submit PDFs, links, or digital packages through the official ASME submission portal during the announced entry window https://www.asme.media/awards/submissions.
Judging panels review entries based on criteria such as accuracy, originality, narrative structure, and visual execution. Winners are selected by independent juries of editors, writers, and designers, and results are kept confidential until the official announcement at the awards ceremony.