Celebrating the people moving media literacy forward.
Every year, people across the media literacy field are doing important work to strengthen how people understand, question, create, and engage with media.
The Media Literacy Awards recognize individuals, educators, researchers, young people, and media makers whose work is making a meaningful difference in the field. Whether through the classroom, research, youth leadership, service, or media, these honorees are helping people build the skills to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act.
Nominations for the 2026 Media Literacy Awards are now open! The deadline is September 20th at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Award Categories
Elizabeth Thoman Service Award
Formerly known as the Meritorious Service Award, the Elizabeth Thoman Service Award honors those who have given many years of service to the field of media literacy. The award was re-named in honor of Elizabeth Thoman, founding board member of NAMLE. This award recognizes individuals that have significantly contributed to the growth and quality of the field of media literacy over the years.
Media Literacy Teacher Award
Subcategories: PK-12 Teacher Award, Higher Education Teacher Award
This award is given each year to a teacher integrating a strong media literacy curriculum in PK-12 and/or higher education. The award may be given to a teacher in any subject area or grade level, whose curriculum reflects a strong integration of media literacy concepts as detailed in the Core Principles of Media Literacy Education. Nominees from PK-12 and higher education can be evaluated and awarded separately.
Media Literacy Researcher Award
This award recognizes a researcher whose work is advancing the field of media literacy by providing resources and/or facilitating the work of the MLE community. The committee will consider nominees with an expansive body of work as well as those with a singular notable work (e.g. program, project, etc.).
Media Literacy Youth Award
This award recognizes a middle or high school student who exemplifies media literacy in action. Their work and activities have showcased their ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create and act using multiple forms of communication. Nominees exemplify leadership qualities and a passion for media literacy education.
Media Literate Media Award
The Media Literate Media Awards are designed to inspire and recognize media makers who cover or include media literacy in their work, and make outstanding contributions with national reach.
The Media Literate Media Awards recognize people, programs, initiatives, or organizations in media that:
- Have raised the visibility of media literacy education or media literacy or,
- Have helped citizens better understand media literacy education or media literacy,
- Have advanced media literacy skills through their content, or
- Have provided significant, outstanding resources that enhance the ability of educators to practice the kind of inquiry-based media literacy education.
Help Us Celebrate the Field
Media literacy is strengthened by the people who teach it, study it, practice it, create with it, and help others understand why it matters. The Media Literacy Awards are an opportunity to recognize that work and shine a light on the people making a difference.
Know someone who should be recognized?