Apply for Dan David Prize 2027 – Up to $300,000 Prize for Early and Mid-Career Scholars of the Human Past

Application Deadline: October 13, 2026

About the Prize

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 mid-career scholars and practitioners who have already produced important work and show strong potential for future excellence, innovation, and leadership. The Dan David Prize awards up to nine prizes each year. The prize is named after Dan David, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who believed in the power of knowledge and the study of the past to shape a better future. The prize is administered by Tel Aviv University.

Prize Benefits

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.

Eligibility Requirements

Nominees must meet the following criteria:

• Must be engaged in outstanding and original work related to the study of the human past, employing any chronological, geographical, and methodological focus
• Should exhibit strong potential for future excellence, innovation, and leadership that will help shape the study of the past for years to come

For Academic Nominees:

• Must hold a PhD
• Must have published at least one major piece of work, such as a book or a collection of articles related to a major project

For Non-Academic Nominees:

• NOT required to hold a PhD
• Must have completed at least one major piece of work such as a book, major publication, exhibition, documentary film, or public humanities project
• Should demonstrate an ongoing engagement with topics related to history and the study of the past

Career Stage Requirement:

• Should be no more than 15 years post-PhD (for academics) or 15 years after the release of their first major project (for non-academics)
• Due allowance will be made for career breaks (e.g., parental and care leave or duties, health-related leave, and career changes)

Nomination Process

Nominators will be asked to provide:

• The nominee’s CV
• List of relevant work or publications
• Answers to a few brief questions

Self-nominations are not accepted; nominees must be put forward by a nominator.

How to Apply

Click on the link below to apply.

Application Link: Click here to apply

Application Deadline: October 13, 2026

Why This Prize Matters: The study of the human past is essential to understanding who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. Yet early and mid-career scholars and practitioners in history, archaeology, anthropology, and related fields often struggle to secure funding for their work. Traditional grants may be too small or too short-term to support ambitious projects, and recognition systems (like awards and prizes) tend to favor senior scholars.

The Dan David Prize addresses these gaps by:

• Providing substantial funding ($300,000 per winner) to support ongoing and future work
• Targeting early and mid-career scholars and practitioners (within 15 years of PhD or first major project)
• Welcoming both academic and non-academic nominees including public historians, documentary filmmakers, curators, and others
• Making allowance for career breaks recognizing that academic and professional careers are not always linear
• Awarding up to nine prizes annually maximizing the number of outstanding individuals recognized

For historians, archaeologists, curators, documentary filmmakers, and other scholars and practitioners of the human past who are within 15 years of their PhD or first major project, the Dan David Prize offers transformative funding and international recognition.

For More Information: Visit the Official Dan David Prize Page