Okay, how does this NOT have a thread already?!
The Jim Baen Memorial Award is an annual contest for near-future hard SF stories of up to 8000 words. Winners receive publication at pro rates, as well as "an engraved award, free entry into the 2016 International Space Development Conference, a year's membership in the National Space Society and a prize package containing various Baen Books and National Space Society merchandise."
Full details can be found here: http://www.baen.com/baenmemorialaward.asp
Most importantly, though: Entry is free and the deadline is 12:01am, U.S. Pacific Time, February 1, 2016. (that is, just AFTER midnight on the last day of January.)
Get to writin'!
Stewart C Baker - 1st place, Q2 V32
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
I knew about this contest when it opened for submissions this year, but I had zero ideas until a week or so ago. But this new idea actually isn't that bad...
Time to get writing! 
Contest history: R, R, SHM, R, HM, R, R
1 very hopeful: V34 Q2
"Remember: Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations." ~ Ray Bradbury
