Sir John Neale Prize in Early Modern British History

Sir John Neale Prize in Early Modern British History

You get a one-off prize of about 1,150 EUR (1,000 GBP) for the best essay on early modern British history. The Institute of Historical Research (IHR) at the University of London awards it once a year to a historian early in their career. To enter, you write an essay of at most 8,000 words, footnotes included, on any topic in the study of Britain between roughly 1450 and 1700. The judges decide whether your topic fits.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled for a higher degree (such as a master's or PhD) at a British institution, or you finished one within the last three years.
• Career stage: You are early in your career as a historian.
• Field: Your essay covers a topic in early modern British history, roughly the period 1450 to 1700.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply. What counts is your link to a British institution, not your passport.

How to apply

You submit your essay through the IHR. The competition runs once a year, with applications opening in January.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a single annual prize decided on the quality of one essay, so it is genuinely competitive: only one winner each year. But the eligibility is narrow, limited to early-career historians tied to a British institution and working on 1450 to 1700, which keeps the field smaller than an open essay contest. If your research fits that period well and your essay is strong, you have a real shot.