The Pulitzer Prize criteria are as follows:
- Journalism: Awarded for distinguished work by an American newspaper, magazine, or news service. The work may be in any of the following categories: journalism, photography, audio, video, or online.
- Literature:Awarded for distinguished fiction, poetry, drama, history, biography, or general nonfiction by an American author.
- Music: Awarded for a distinguished musical composition by an American composer that has had its first performance or recording in the United States during the year.
- Drama: Awarded for a distinguished play by an American playwright that has been produced in the United States during the year.
- Poetry: Awarded for a distinguished volume of poetry by an American poet that has been published in the United States during the year.
- History: Awarded for a distinguished book of history by an American author that is based on original research and that has made a significant contribution to the understanding of American history.
- Biography or Autobiography: Awarded for a distinguished biography or autobiography of an American that is based on original research and that has made a significant contribution to the understanding of the life of the subject.
- General Nonfiction: Awarded for a distinguished book of nonfiction by an American author that is based on original research and that has made a significant contribution to the understanding of a subject of general interest.
- Special Citation: Awarded for a work that the Pulitzer Prize Board deems to be outstanding and worthy of recognition, but that does not fit into any of the other categories.
The Pulitzer Prizes are awarded annually in May. The winners are announced in a press conference held at Columbia University.