# List of intellectual freedom awards

This list of intellectual freedom awards is an index to articles about notable awards celebrating intellectual freedom, specifically freedoms of thought, speech, and expression; this includes press and academic freedom. General human rights awards are not included, unless their primary focus is on intellectual freedom. The list is organized by the country of the sponsor of the award, but awards are not necessarily limited to people from that country.

## Journalism awards

| Country | Award | Sponsor | Given for |
| Argentina | Rodolfo Walsh Prize | National University of La Plata | Awarded to Hugo Chávez of Venezuela in 2011 for "unquestionable and authentic commitment" to media that support "human rights, truth and democratic values". |
| Austria | World Press Freedom Heroes | International Press Institute | Significant contributions to the maintenance of press freedom and freedom of expression |
| Canada | International Press Freedom Award | Canadian Journalists for Free Expression | Journalists from Canada and around the world who have been persecuted because of their work |
| Denmark | Sappho Award | Danish Free Press Society | Journalist who combines excellence in their work with courage and a refusal to compromise |
| Germany | Golden Pen of Freedom Award | World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers | To recognise the outstanding action, in writing or deed, of an individual, a group or an institution in the cause of press freedom |
| International | Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize | UNESCO | Person, organization or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger |
| Poland | Freedom of Speech Award | International Association of Press Clubs | Outstanding contributions to the defense or the struggle for freedom of expression, the creation of conditions to support freedom of speech |
| Romania | Valeriu Boboc Prize | Senate of Romania | For the liberty of press and defending of democratic values |
| United Kingdom | Index Freedom of Expression Awards | Index on Censorship | To courageous journalists, artists, campaigners and digital activists from around the world who have made a significant contribution to free expression |
| United States | Tully Center for Free Speech Award | Tully Center for Free Speech | Awarded to a journalist who has survived a significant free speech threat |
| United States | International Press Freedom Award | Committee to Protect Journalists | Journalists or their publications around the world who show courage in defending press freedom despite facing attacks, threats, or imprisonment |
| United States | James Madison Freedom of Information Award | Society of Professional Journalists | Individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the advancement of freedom of expression, particularly freedom of information |
| United States | Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism | University of Oregon | Journalist of integrity and character who reports with insight and clarity in the face of political or economic pressures and to reward performance that inspires public trust in the media |

## General awards

| Country | Award | Sponsor | Given for |
| Europe | Sakharov Prize | European Parliament | The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named after Soviet scientist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, was established in December 1988 by the European Parliament as a means to honor individuals or organisations who have dedicated their lives to the defense of human rights and freedom of thought. |
| Germany | Geschwister-Scholl-Preis | Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels | Annual award for a book which "shows intellectual independence and supports civil freedom, moral, intellectual and aesthetic courage and that gives an important impulse to the present awareness of responsibility" |
| Germany | Leipzig Human Rights Award | European-American Citizens Committee for Human Rights and Religious Freedom in the USA | Efforts towards human rights and freedom of expression in the USA |
| India | National RTI Awards | Public Cause Research Foundation | Protecting the right to freedom of information |
| Norway | Bjørnson Prize | Norwegian Academy of Literature and Freedom of Expression | Promoting understanding of other cultures and for literary free speech |
| Norway | Fritt Ord Award | Fritt Ord organization | Awarded in support of freedom of speech and freedom of expression |
| United States | Franklyn S. Haiman Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Freedom of Expression | National Communication Association | Outstanding published research on freedom of expression |
| United States | Free Speech Award | American INSIGHT | American INSIGHT is a Philadelphia-based non-profit dedicated to the promotion of Free Speech and the Rule of Law. The organization holds an annual Free Speech Film Festival where it screens documentaries from around the world that promote the organization's message. The Free Speech Award is bestowed upon one standout documentary. |
| United States | Free Speech Defender Awards | National Coalition Against Censorship | Defend freedom of thought, inquiry, and expression from censorship and threats of censorship through education and outreach, and direct advocacy |
| United States | Freedom of Speech Award | Roosevelt Institute's Four Freedoms Award | |
| United States | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Free Speech Coalition | |
| United States | Luther McNair Award | ACLU of Massachusetts | For significant contributions to civil liberties |
| United States | Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award | Americana Music Honors & Awards | Those who use their music to make a difference, lending a voice to those who would otherwise go unheard and shining a light on issues that would otherwise go unseen |
| United States | AAAS Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility | American Association for the Advancement of Science | Scientists and engineers whose exemplary actions, often taken at significant personal cost, have served to foster scientific freedom and responsibility and increased scientific awareness throughout the world |
| United States | Eli M. Oboler Award | American Library Association | For best published work in intellectual freedom |
| United States | Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award | Hugh M. Hefner Foundation | Awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the protection and enhancement of the rights enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. |
| United States | Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award | PEN America | Writers anywhere in the world who have fought courageously in the face of adversity for the right to freedom of expression |
| United States | Katherine Anne Porter First Amendment Award | PEN America | U.S. resident who has fought courageously, despite adversity, to safeguard the First Amendment right to freedom of expression as it applies to the written word |
| United States | Newman's Own First Amendment Award | PEN America | U.S. resident who fought courageously, despite adversity, to safeguard the First Amendment right to freedom of expression as it applies to the written word |
| United States | Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent | Human Rights Foundation | Individuals who engage in creative dissent, exhibiting courage and creativity to challenge injustice and live in truth |
| United States | William J. Brennan Award | Association of the Federal Bar of the State of New Jersey | Those whose actions have advanced the principles of free expression |
| United States | William J. Brennan Award | Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression | Individual or group whose commitment to free expression is consistent with Justice Brennan's abiding devotion |
| United States | William O. Douglas Prize | Commission on Freedom of Expression of the Speech Communication Association | Those who contribute to writing about freedom of speech |

## Ironic / Anti-Awards

These awards celebrate intellectual freedom by calling attention to those who harm it.
* Muzzle Awards, by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Freedom of Expression