The cream of up-and-coming Scottish journalism talent can now enter the annual Scottish Student Press Awards.

Now in its 13th year, the competition seeks to showcase and reward the best student writing and publishing in Scotland with the 2009 event welcoming back the best college publication prize.

Run by Glasgow-based daily The Herald, there are nine different prizes up for grabs with work experience placements on offer to individual winners while team prizes will receive £100 towards their publication.

The student journalist of the year will be selected from the best writing categories and offered a four-week internship at The Herald and £500 cash.

The news writer prize is this year awarded in memory of Calum Macdonald, a journalist with The Herald who died of cancer aged 31 in October.

Herald editor-in-chief Donald Martin said: “Once again we are delighted to be hosting the Scottish Student Press Awards.

“These awards are a vital showcase for the best in student journalism and we are extremely grateful to our sponsors for sharing our belief in the importance of nurturing future talent and in recognising good writing.

“This is a superb opportunity for journalism students to begin to make their mark in the professional world.”

The award categories are:

Student Journalist of the Year
Sports Writer
News Writer
Features Writer
Photographer
New Media

Magazine
Newspaper
College Publication

The awards are open to all students at a Scottish higher or further education establishment and entries must have appeared in a student publication after 1 May 2008.

Students employed as journalists either on a full-time or shift basis cannot submit cuttings that have been professionally edited.

For more information and to download an entry form visit The Herald website. The closing date for entries is 27 April.