The Medical Journalists’ Association is delighted to announce that Novartis UK will be the principal sponsor of the 2026 MJA Awards.
The partnership comes as entries are set to open for this year’s awards, which celebrate the very best in health and medical journalism across print, broadcast, digital and audio.
Widely regarded as the leading awards in the sector, the MJA Awards recognise journalism that informs public understanding, scrutinises policy and practice, explains complex science, and tells the human stories behind healthcare.
Support from Novartis UK will help underpin the 2026 awards programme and ceremony, while reinforcing the importance of independent, high-quality journalism at a time when accurate reporting on health and science has never mattered more.
Meghan O’Donnell, Head of Communications & Patient Advocacy at Novartis UK, said: “A strong, independent health and medical press is critical to a well-functioning healthcare system.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the Medical Journalists’ Association in celebrating the journalists whose work informs, challenges and inspires.”
The 2026 awards will once again feature categories spanning news, investigations, features, podcasts, science reporting, mental health journalism, climate and health, freelance journalism, and specialist reporting for both general and professional audiences.
As in previous years, a broad panel drawn from journalism, healthcare, academia, charities and professional organisations will judge the awards, ensuring entries are assessed by people with deep expertise in both reporting and the subjects being covered.
The MJA Awards continue to attract entries from across national, regional, trade and specialist media, reflecting the growing breadth and influence of health journalism in the UK.
Further details on categories, entry deadlines and this year’s ceremony will be announced shortly.