Travel and lodging for winners will be provided by the Newseum. Newspaper Pacemaker NSPA and the Newspaper Association of America Foundation have co-sponsored the Pacemaker competition since 1971. NSPA began the awards in 1927. Finalists will be notified about one month before the fall convention. The Story of the Year competition, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, recognizes initiative and original reporting of a situation, problem or issue affecting students.
Judges look for entries which show leadership, quality writing, sensitivity and fairness.
In addition to the print competition, CNN Student Bureau and NSPA co-sponsor a Broadcast Story of the Year contest. The competition is co-sponsored by the National Press Photographers Association. Adobe Systems and NSPA sponsor a Design of the Year competition. First-place winners in each category receive an Adobe software package of their choice. Since 1925, NSPA's Pacemaker competition has been considered by many to be student journalism's highest honor.