The 2008 APME Online Convergence Awards recognize Associated Press or Canadian Press member newspapers and their online partners for the effective interplay between a story in print and the same story online.

These awards recognize print-online combinations that exhibit the best applications of both in presenting the story. The article can be on any topic – an in-depth investigation, a breaking story, a feature story, a profile. Innovative projects where the print and online components complement and enhance each other will earn the highest marks. Judges will rate the Web package on an effective and imaginative use of the medium.

Nominations may be made by a newspaper itself or its online partner for work published between July 1, 2007 and May 31, 2008.

There shall be three awards: one for newspapers with average daily circulation to 39,999; one for newspapers with average daily circulation of 40,000 to 149,999; another for newspapers of 150,000 average daily circulation or more, according to the latest audited figures. APME reserves the right to decline to award a winner in any category.

All entries will be accepted online at www.omnicontests3.com/apme/omnicontests

Include electronic files of stories, series and/or editorials and community reaction. No more than 20 electronic files may be submitted, including a letter describing the nominated story and how it was developed between the print and online staffs. The letter should discuss additional elements produced for online and how the online efforts contributed to development of the story in print. The letter also should discuss any action resulting from the coverage. It also should mention significant challenges to the accuracy or approach of the entry, as well as steps the newspaper and/or the online unit took to address those concerns. Published corrections or clarifications must be included.

The letter describing the nominated story should clearly note (1) the newspaper's daily circulation and (2) the number of unique visitors to the Web site.

Questions should be directed to:

Entries must be submitted online by June 2, 2008 to be assessed the normal entry fee, or by June 9, 2008, for an additional $10 assessment.

A $75 contest fee ($50 for current APME Supporting Members) will be assessed all entries submitted online by June 2. Entries submitted between June 2 and 9 will be assessed $85.

Follow information on the online application to submit payment by credit card or to send a check.

(For more on APME Supporting Membership, visit the APME Web site, www.apme.com/membership).

Judging will be done in late June by a committee appointed by the president of APME, to include a senior online editor of The Associated Press and other top online journalists. Winners will be recognized at the APME annual conference in Las Vegas, Nev., Sept. 8-11, 2008.

Over 150,000 circulation

The Washington Post and washingtonpost.com for "Being a Black Man," a conversation about black men in America.

40,000 to 150,000 circulation

The Roanoke Times and roanoke.com for its coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting.

Under 40,000 circulation

Lawrence Journal-World for "Mining's Legacy: A Scar on Kansas," a complete multimedia project examining how southeast Kansas is still afflicted with the environmental and economic consequences of the mining industry.