The Society of Professional Journalists is excited to announce that the 2011 Sigma Delta Chi Awards are open for entry until Feb. 9. Among the premiere prizes awarded to professional journalists, the SDX Awards recognize the best in U.S. professional journalism from print, online, art/graphics, newsletters, television, radio and journalism research.

See last year’s winning entries. Submit entires online at awards.spj.org. The fee per entry for SPJ members is $60; non-members may enter for $100. Read the contest rules. Winners will be honored at a banquet in July. Please contact Lauren Rochester with questions at 317-927-8000 ext. 210 or lrochester@spj.org.

The New America Award contest is also accepting entries through Feb. 9. The award honors public service journalism that explores and exposes an issue of importance to immigrant or ethnic communities living in the United States. Read about last year’s winners at Minnesota Public Radio News. Each entry must include a cover letter explaining the significance of the issue, any obstacles encountered and benefits gained. The letter can also provide background about the nominees and talk about the effects of the journalism produced. Entries may be in any language, but English translations must be supplied for entries that are not in English. There is no fee to enter the New America contest. For full rules and a mail-in entry form, visit spj.org/a-newamerica.asp.