Deadline: 13-Oct-2026
Nominations are open for the 2027 Dan David Prize, an international award that recognizes outstanding early and midcareer scholars and practitioners whose work advances the study of the human past. The prize awards up to nine individual winners each year, with each recipient receiving $300,000 to support future research and professional work. Eligible nominees may come from academic or non-academic fields, including history, archaeology, art history, digital humanities, public history, museum curation, documentary filmmaking, and related disciplines.
Overview
The Dan David Prize is an international award that recognizes outstanding and original work related to the study of the human past.
The prize supports early and midcareer scholars and practitioners who have already produced important work and show strong potential for future excellence, innovation, and leadership.
Each year, the prize awards up to nine individual prizes of $300,000 each.
The 2027 Dan David Prize is open to nominations for individuals working across historical disciplines and related fields, whether inside or outside academic institutions.
Key Focus Areas
The prize focuses on original work that advances understanding of the human past.
Key focus areas include:
- History
- Archaeology
- Art history
- Digital humanities
- Human palaeontology
- Public history
- Museum curation
- Documentary filmmaking
- Historical research
- Public humanities
- Interpretation of the past
- Study of human societies, cultures, and civilizations
- Work related to any chronological, geographical, or methodological focus
Purpose of the Prize
The purpose of the Dan David Prize is to recognize and support people whose work makes a meaningful contribution to the study of the past.
The prize acknowledges outstanding achievements while also helping winners continue their future work.
It is intended for individuals who have demonstrated excellence and originality and who are likely to shape historical research, public understanding, or interpretation of the past in the years ahead.
Prize Amount
The Dan David Prize awards up to nine prizes each year.
Each winner receives:
- $300,000 prize
- International recognition
- Support for future research or professional work
- Opportunity to participate in an award ceremony and related programming
- Possible support in sharing scholarship with wider public audiences
The prize money is transferred as a lump sum.
How the Prize Money Can Be Used
The prize money is intended to support the winner’s future work.
Winners may use the funds for different purposes, including:
- A specific research project
- Research travel
- Research assistants
- Work-related equipment
- Time away from teaching or other duties
- Living expenses that allow the winner to focus on research or professional work
- Activities that advance the study or public understanding of the past
Who is Eligible?
Eligible nominees may be scholars or practitioners working in fields related to the study of the human past.
Nominees may come from academia or from outside academic institutions.
Eligible candidates may include:
- Academic researchers
- Independent scholars
- Public historians
- Museum curators
- Documentary filmmakers
- Archaeologists
- Art historians
- Digital humanities practitioners
- Human palaeontology researchers
- Public humanities professionals
- Other practitioners working on history and the interpretation of the past
The prize is awarded to individuals only. Nominations cannot be made for a pair, group, or institution.
Eligibility for Academic Nominees
Academic nominees must meet specific requirements.
Academic nominees must:
- Hold a PhD
- Have published at least one major piece of work
- Generally be no more than 15 years post-PhD
- Show strong potential for future excellence and leadership
- Work in a field connected to the study of the human past
A major piece of academic work may include:
- A book
- A collection of articles linked to a major project
- Another major scholarly contribution related to the study of the past
Career breaks may be considered when assessing the 15-year eligibility guideline.
Eligibility for Non-Academic Nominees
Non-academic nominees are not required to hold a PhD.
However, they must have completed at least one major piece of work related to the study or public interpretation of the past.
This work may include:
- A book
- A major publication
- A museum exhibition
- A documentary film
- A public humanities project
- A major public history initiative
- Another significant contribution to understanding the human past
Non-academic nominees should generally be no more than 15 years after the release of their first major project, with allowance made for career breaks.
Nomination Rules
Anyone can submit a nomination for the Dan David Prize.
Important nomination rules include:
- Self-nominations are not accepted.
- Renominations from previous years are encouraged.
- Nominators may submit more than one candidate.
- Each nomination must be for one specific person.
- Nominations cannot be submitted for a pair, group, organization, or institution.
- Winners who work as part of a team may choose to use their prize to support the work of that team.
Required Nomination Materials
Nominators must provide basic nomination materials that show the nominee’s achievements and future potential.
Required materials include:
- Nominee’s CV
- List of relevant work or publications
- Answers to brief nomination questions
Additional documents are not required.
However, nominators may include supporting materials if they believe these will strengthen the nomination.
Selection Basis
The Dan David Prize is awarded on the basis of merit.
The prize recognizes outstanding achievement, originality, future potential, innovation, and leadership in the study of the human past.
The award is made regardless of:
- Gender identity and expression
- Sexuality
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Nationality
- Religion
- Age
- Ability
- Political affiliation
Why It Matters
The Dan David Prize matters because the study of the past helps societies understand human experience, memory, culture, conflict, migration, identity, creativity, and change.
By supporting early and midcareer scholars and practitioners, the prize helps strengthen the future of historical research and public engagement.
The prize is especially important because it recognizes both academic and non-academic work. This means it values research, museum practice, documentary storytelling, public history, archaeology, and other forms of knowledge that help people understand the past.
What Makes a Strong Nominee?
A strong nominee should have already produced at least one major piece of work and should show clear potential for future leadership.
Strong nominees may demonstrate:
- Original thinking
- Strong contribution to the study of the past
- High-quality research or public work
- Clear future potential
- Innovative methods or approaches
- Public or scholarly impact
- Work that opens new questions or perspectives
- Contribution to historical knowledge across any place, time period, or method
The nomination should explain why the nominee’s work matters and how it may influence the field in the future.
How to Submit a Strong Nomination
Nominators should prepare a clear and focused nomination that highlights the nominee’s achievements, originality, and future promise.
Step 1: Identify a Suitable Candidate
Choose a nominee whose work is clearly connected to the study of the human past.
The candidate may be an academic scholar or a practitioner working outside academia.
Step 2: Confirm Eligibility
Check whether the nominee meets the early or midcareer requirement.
For academic nominees, confirm that they hold a PhD and are generally no more than 15 years post-PhD.
For non-academic nominees, confirm that they are generally no more than 15 years after the release of their first major project.
Step 3: Highlight the Major Work
Clearly identify the nominee’s major piece of work.
This may be a book, article collection, exhibition, documentary film, public humanities project, or other major contribution.
Step 4: Explain the Contribution
Describe how the nominee’s work advances the study of the human past.
The nomination should explain:
- What the nominee has achieved
- Why the work is original
- How it contributes to historical knowledge
- Why the nominee deserves international recognition
- How the nominee may shape the field in the future
Step 5: Prepare the CV and Work List
Include the nominee’s CV and a list of relevant publications, projects, or professional work.
The list should focus on work most relevant to the prize.
Step 6: Answer the Nomination Questions Clearly
The brief nomination answers should be direct, specific, and evidence-based.
Avoid general praise. Focus on the nominee’s achievements, originality, impact, and future potential.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Nominators should avoid errors that may weaken the nomination.
Common mistakes include:
- Submitting a self-nomination
- Nominating a group or institution instead of one individual
- Not clearly connecting the nominee’s work to the study of the human past
- Focusing only on career prestige instead of original contribution
- Not explaining future potential
- Providing a weak or incomplete CV
- Submitting an unclear list of works or publications
- Failing to identify the nominee’s major work
- Ignoring the early or midcareer eligibility guideline
- Providing generic nomination answers without evidence
Tips for a Strong Nomination
A strong nomination should be concise, specific, and focused on merit.
Useful tips include:
- Clearly identify the nominee’s field and major contribution.
- Explain why the nominee’s work is original.
- Show how the work advances the study of the human past.
- Highlight future potential, not only past achievement.
- Use specific examples from the nominee’s publications, exhibitions, films, or public projects.
- Make the case for why the nominee is an early or midcareer leader.
- Include relevant supporting materials only if they strengthen the nomination.
- Avoid vague language such as “excellent scholar” without explaining why.
- Emphasize innovation, leadership, and future impact.
- Ensure the nomination is for one individual only.
FAQ
1. What is the Dan David Prize?
The Dan David Prize is an international award that recognizes outstanding early and midcareer scholars and practitioners whose work advances the study of the human past.
2. How much is the prize worth?
Each winner receives $300,000. Up to nine prizes are awarded annually.
3. Who can be nominated?
Nominees may include academic researchers, independent scholars, public historians, museum curators, documentary filmmakers, archaeologists, art historians, digital humanities practitioners, and others working on the study of the past.
4. Are self-nominations allowed?
No. Self-nominations will not be considered.
5. Can non-academic practitioners be nominated?
Yes. Non-academic practitioners are eligible if they have completed at least one major piece of work related to the study or interpretation of the past.
6. What documents are required for nomination?
Nominators must provide the nominee’s CV, a list of relevant work or publications, and answers to brief nomination questions. Additional supporting materials may be included but are not required.
7. Can a group or institution be nominated?
No. The prize is an individual award, and nominations must be made for one specific person.
Conclusion
The 2027 Dan David Prize offers major international recognition for early and midcareer scholars and practitioners advancing the study of the human past.
With up to nine annual prizes of $300,000 each, the award supports future research, public engagement, and professional work in historical disciplines and related fields. Strong nominations should clearly show the nominee’s original contribution, major body of work, future potential, and importance to the broader understanding of the past.
For more information, visit Dan David Prize.