The competition's top award is the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting, supported by a grant from the A-Mark Foundation. The prize highlights the vital role of investigative journalism in holding power accountable, promoting transparency, and empowering citizens in a democratic society. A total of $15,000 in cash prizes was awarded to the following recipients:

First Place: The Investigative Team of the Miami Herald and WLRN News, for their series Brightline, Florida's Killer Train
Second Place: Michael Barfield and Derek Gilliam, of Suncoast Searchlight and Florida Trident, for their series Sarasota County Stormwater Investigation
Third Place: Nichole Manna and Casey Frank, of The Florida Trib, for their series "Cold-Blooded": How a Florida prosecutor resolved a 'weak' case using a fabricator and three jailhouse informants to send a man to Death Row

In addition to the A-Mark Prize and other special recognitions, journalists were honored across seven divisions:

Print and Digital Writing
Photography and Design
Television and Video
Radio and Audio
Digital
Spanish Language
Students

The complete list of 2026 winners is available for review.

SPJ Florida presents the Sunshine State Awards in collaboration with the South Florida chapters of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists. The program has celebrated excellence in journalism since 1994, with entries judged by professionals and educators from outside the Florida market. Net proceeds are reinvested into training, programming, and advocacy for journalists.

The competition is open to professional print, broadcast, and online journalists in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as out-of-state journalists who report on Florida. The Student Division welcomes entries from college and university students in Florida, with a dedicated category for high school journalists.

The 2027 Sunshine State Awards will open for entries in February.

SOURCE SPJ Florida Pro Chapter