Institut des Amériques - Awards for doctoral dissertations

Prix de thèse de l'Institut des Amériques

You will receive 3,000 EUR for the publication of your doctoral thesis as a book in the ‘Des Amériques’ series by Presses universitaires de Rennes (PUR). Each year, the Institut des Amériques (IdA), a French higher education and research network supported by the French Ministry of Research and the CNRS, shortlists two doctoral theses. One of the two authors will also be awarded the ‘Prix de thèse de l’Institut des Amériques’. Following selection, you will have two years to submit your revised manuscript to PUR, which will make the final decision on publication.

Who can apply

• Degree: You have completed a PhD. Master’s theses and postdoctoral theses (HDR) are not taken into account.
• Field: Your dissertation focuses on literature or the humanities and social sciences. A dissertation in literary studies must draw extensively on methods from the humanities and social sciences.
• Topic: Your dissertation is about the Americas (North and Latin America).
• Where you defended: You defended your thesis at an IdA member institution.
• Timing: You defended your doctoral thesis in the calendar year prior to the award. For the 2026 round, this means that your defence took place in the year 2025.
• Language: Your dissertation must be written in French. Translations or texts written partly in French will not be considered.
• Not yet published: No other publisher has published your dissertation yet.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.

How to apply

Please submit your complete application by 10 January 2026, 18:00 (Paris time) by email. A panel of experts will review the applications submitted, and the IdA’s research and publications committees will then confirm the selection.

How realistic are your chances?

This award has very strict criteria: your French-language doctoral thesis must focus on America and must have been successfully defended in the previous year at an IdA member institution, meaning that the pool of eligible candidates is small. However, as only two manuscripts are selected each year and high-calibre candidates regularly apply, competition amongst suitable applicants is fierce. A clear plan for turning your doctoral thesis into a book will strengthen your chances.