The Pulitzer Prizes is an awards program dedicated exclusively to recognising excellence in journalism, literature, and musical composition in the United States, celebrating outstanding reporting, investigative journalism, commentary, fiction, drama, history, biography, poetry, and music. The awards aim to highlight the highest standards of professional and artistic achievement, honoring works that have had a significant impact on society and culture.
Organised by Columbia University, the program features multiple competitive categories including Public Service, Breaking News Reporting, Investigative Reporting, Feature Writing, Commentary, Fiction, Drama, History, Biography, Poetry, and Music with winners selected by an independent board of jurors. The inaugural prizes were awarded in 1917, marking the establishment of what would become the most prestigious annual recognition of excellence in American journalism and the arts.