International Association for the History of Crime and Criminal Justice (IAHCCJ) - Herman Diederiks Award

Herman Diederiks Award

You will receive a research grant of 1,000 EUR as well as the prompt publication of your award-winning article in the academic journal “Crime, History & Societies / Crime, Histoire & Sociétés” the following year. The prize money is intended to cover research costs or other professional expenses. The prize is awarded for an original article on the history of crime and the criminal justice system, i.e. research into how societies in the past dealt with crime and punishment. It is awarded by the journal’s editorial board with the support of the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme in Paris and is open for applications once a year.

Who can apply

• Career stage: You are currently studying for a PhD or completed your PhD no more than three years prior to submitting your thesis.
• Field: Your article should focus on the history of crime and the criminal justice system. Any topic within this field is acceptable.
• Your article: The paper presents the author’s own research findings. It links new insights with broader reflections on historical, methodological or theoretical issues, and opens up new avenues of research.
• Not yet published: This article has never been published before.
• Language: You write in French or English.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.

How to apply

Please email your manuscript and a brief CV to the journal’s editorial team, stating ‘Herman Diederiks Prize’ in the subject line. The closing date for entries is 30 September. The editorial team will act as the judging panel, and the results will be announced in early 2027.

How realistic are your chances?

As this is a single annual prize for an article in a narrowly defined specialist field, the competition is extremely fierce. Only early-career researchers in the field of the history of crime and criminal law are eligible to enter, and they are assessed on the basis of the quality of a completed, independent research paper. If you can present a compelling, as yet unpublished article offering new insights and an original approach, you stand a real chance. A routine or widely circulated contribution will not stand out.