The Conversation Prize for Writers 2026 @The Conversation

Overview

Applications are now open for The Conversation Prize for Writers 2026, an exciting annual competition designed for academics and researchers who want to transform their expertise into compelling longform writing for a wider audience.

Organized by The Conversation in partnership with Faber and The Curtis Brown Group, this prestigious competition offers researchers the opportunity to publish their work, receive mentorship from publishing professionals, and potentially develop their ideas into a bestselling nonfiction book.

Who Can Apply

The competition is open to academics and researchers interested in communicating their work to non-academic audiences.

Submissions must be written for general readers and fall within one of the following subject areas:

• History
• Arts and Culture
• Business and Economy
• Education
• Environment
• Health
• Politics and Society
• Science and Technology
• World Affairs

What Winners Receive

The winner of the 2026 prize will receive:

• £1,000 cash prize for the winning article
• Online publication with The Conversation Insights
• Mentorship from a book editor at Faber
• Mentorship from a literary agent at Curtis Brown
• Guidance to develop the submission into a nonfiction book proposal

Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A 2,000-word article written for a non-academic audience
• A book idea pitch of 350 words or less based on the article
• A brief 100-word author bio explaining expertise and suitability
• Disclosure of any conflicts of interest

How to Apply

Submit your application materials via email to: uk-prize@theconversation.com

Deadline

All submissions must be received by: Sunday, 5 July 2026 at 11:59 PM BST