Prize Overview
In Honor of Neal Conan
The Neal Conan Prize for Excellence in Journalism is an annual prize awarded to a mid-career journalist doing extraordinary work in the spirit of the public good. The Prize was established in 2023 by friends to honor the legacy of Neal Conan, the American radio journalist who spent nearly four decades
at NPR .
An Annual Prize Award
In honor of Neal, an unrestricted $50,000 prize will be awarded to a journalist who embodies the talent, drive and values that Neal brought to his work: a commitment to excellence in the craft, a nuanced understanding of global issues, a belief in the power of creative storytelling, a dedication to public service and courage in the pursuit of truth.
How the Winner is Chosen
The winner is chosen by an Advisory Committee, which includes friends from Neal’s life who each have a deep connection to his legacy as well as individuals with experience and expertise in the field of journalism. The Committee sources nominations based on the prize’s criteria and considers journalists working in print, online, radio and broadcast from every region of the world.
In Honor of Neal Conan
Neal J. Conan
was a significant contributor to the creation of the United States’ public radio system, serving as a radio journalist, producer, correspondent, and program host at National Public Radio (NPR) for nearly four decades. During Neal’s long tenure at NPR, he was a senior host of “Talk of the Nation,” a producer of “All Things Considered,” a bureau chief in New York and London, and he also worked at the NPR headquarters as an executive producer, foreign editor, correspondent, managing editor, and news director.
2025 Prize Winner
Mohammed Mhawish
Palestinian journalist and writer Mohammed Mhawish reports with courage and humanity under extraordinary conditions. A contributing writer for The Nation and The New Yorker, his work has appeared in Al Jazeera, +972 Magazine, The Economist, and MSNBC. After a targeted attack on his home killed members of his family, he fled Gaza and continues to report in exile — documenting overlooked realities and honoring colleagues lost to war. Recent honors include the Izzy Award, an Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association Award, and a Type Media Center Fellowship (2025).
“Go and tell me the stories behind everything that happened in the world today. Explain why it happened, and how it affects our lives. Do it every day. Tell me what's important, and don't waste my time with stupid stuff..”
― Neal Conan
(on his final NPR sign off)