Entries are now open for the Dan David Prize, the world’s largest history-focused award, which annually grants nine prizes of $300,000 each to early- and mid-career scholars and practitioners working on the human past.
This global prize celebrates outstanding achievements in the historical disciplines and supports future work that deepens our understanding of history in all its dimensions.
Prize Details
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Award: 9 prizes of $300,000 each
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Deadline: September 24, 2025
Who Can Apply?
Nominees must be engaged in original, outstanding work related to the study of the human past—regardless of their institutional or disciplinary background.
Eligible disciplines and roles include:
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History, archaeology, art history, digital humanities, and human palaeontology
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Independent scholars, public historians, museum curators, and documentary filmmakers
Additional Requirements:
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Work may focus on any time period, region, or method
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Must show potential for future excellence, innovation, and leadership
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Academic nominees must:
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Hold a PhD
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Be no more than 15 years post-PhD
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Have published at least one major work (e.g. book or article collection)
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Non-academic nominees must:
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Have completed at least one major public-facing project (e.g., book, film, exhibition)
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Be no more than 15 years past their first major work
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Diversity and inclusion are core to the prize, and applications are welcome regardless of gender identity, race, ethnicity, nationality, ability, religion, or political views.
How to Apply
Submit your nomination and materials via the official portal.
The Dan David Prize, the largest history-focused award globally, is open for entries. It awards nine prizes of $300,000 each to early- and mid-career scholars and practitioners who excel in studying the human past. These awards celebrate significant contributions to historical disciplines and encourage further exploration and understanding of history in its various facets.
Eligible candidates, regardless of their institutional affiliation, must demonstrate exceptional work in fields related to the human past, such as history, archaeology, art history, digital humanities, and human paleontology. Nominees can include independent scholars, museum curators, public historians, and documentary filmmakers. Academic nominees must hold a PhD, be within 15 years of earning it, and have published significant works. Non-academic nominees should have completed notable public-facing projects and be no more than 15 years past their first major work.
The Prize emphasizes diversity and inclusion, welcoming nominations from all backgrounds regardless of personal identity or beliefs. Submissions are to be made via the official prize portal by September 24, 2025.
