The Open Eye Award seeks applicants in three categories: business journalism, media entrepreneurship and photojournalism.

The business journalism award will be judged based on whose work best addresses the main challenges facing Iraq as a democratic nation. This includes articles that cover topics including economic reform, business and economics, human rights, and social and cultural topics. Articles about inspirational projects and innovative start-ups (ie: alternative energies and the environment, e-commerce and youth projects) are particularly encouraged.

The prize for the best media entrepreneur will go to a person who has recently implemented an innovative media project or program, or to a media company that has financed a project in an especially innovative and sustainable way.

First-place winners in all three categories will receive a trip to Berlin, sponsored by the German-Iraqi business website, WP-Irak.de. For additional journalistic projects, winners will receive a one-time grant in the amount of US$1,000. Winners will also have the chance to visit other important media outlets, political venues and historical sites in Berlin. Second-and third-place winners will be guests at the award ceremony on October 18 at the premises of the Media Academy-Iraq in Erbil.

The application deadline is August 31.

For more information, click here.