Submissions for the 2025 Cundill History Prize are now open.
The Cundill History Prize is open to works of non-fiction published in English from any country in the world, regardless of the nationality or place of residence of their authors. Translations are warmly welcomed.
Submissions are open from Monday, January 6 until Friday, February 28, 2025 for books first published in English between May 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025. The winner will be announced at the Cundill History Prize awards ceremony in October 2025.
Please complete and submit one form for each submission. Publishers may not submit more than 4 titles. Incomplete submissions or books received after the deadline cannot be considered.
As of 2020, we have transitioned fully towards digital submissions. Please send PDF copies to admin.cundillprize@mcgill.ca. Please do not send physical books at the submissions stage. Physical copies will be called in later on in the process.
Application Form
The earliest possible submission of books is recommended. Receipt of submissions will be acknowledged by the Cundill History Prize; however, only those selected as being on the longlist will be contacted afterwards.
All entries must be submitted by the publisher. No other entries will be accepted.
Publishers may submit up to 4 titles under a single imprint. Incomplete submissions or books received after the deadline of February 28, 2025 will not be considered.
The Cundill History Prize is committed to celebrating history of all origins and to curating lists diverse in: areas and periods of interest, historical approach, country and publisher of origin, and author background. The prize particularly invites submissions from authors belonging to marginalised communities, including but not limited to members of LGBT2Q+ and BIPOC communities, and people with disabilities. Publishers are encouraged to consider diverse representation while selecting the titles they submit for our consideration.
To submit, please complete one online Submission Form for each title and send with a PDF copy of the title to admin.cundillprize@mcgill.ca.
Books may not be resubmitted.
Submissions Guidelines
The Cundill History Prize recognises works of historical non-fiction published in English on any period or subject that are grounded in scholarly research, while offering a great read. It is open to authors regardless of nationality or place of residence. Works in translation are welcomed.
Eligibility
Books, including works in translation, must have been first published in English between May 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025.
The jury is searching for books that display both academic scholarship and literary merit and that will appeal to a general reader. A Cundill book, in the words of Advisory Committee and Triage Committee member Faith Wallis, embodies 3 Cs:
Craft
A Cundill book demonstrates mastery of the historian’s craft, drawing on a rich diversity of primary sources in an impeccably-documented and well-argued study which would be right at home in any academic bibliography.
Communication
A Cundill book offers a compelling narrative which—written in lively, engaging prose—can be read with pleasure and with profit by non-specialist historians and the general public alike.
Consequence
A Cundill book is a game-changer; the fresh perspective that its original findings offer on the given topic consequentially alter our way of considering not only the past that it describes, but also the present and future with which its vital links are powerful and manifest.
These criteria guide our triage committee and jurors throughout the selection process, from triaged lists to summer longlists to official shortlist to finalists to winner.
READ MORE about what we are looking for and the full selection process.
The following are not eligible:
- Self-published books
- Textbooks or instruction guides
- Posthumously published works
- Edited collections
- Co-authored works
Submissions Procedure
All entries must be submitted by the publisher. No other entries will be accepted.
Books may not be resubmitted.
Publishers may submit up to 4 titles under a single imprint. Incomplete submissions or books received after the deadline of February 28, 2025 will not be considered. The earliest possible submission is recommended.
To submit, please complete one online Submission Form for each title and send a PDF copy to admin.cundillprize@mcgill.ca. Do not send physical copies.
Receipt of submissions will be acknowledged in writing, but please note that only those selected for the longlist will be contacted afterwards.
Publisher's Commitments
For a book to be eligible, the publisher agrees:
- To participate in subsequent media advertising for the Cundill History Prize, mentioning the Cundill History Prize at McGill University under the aegis of FMcM and the Cundill History Prize team;
- To encourage shortlisted authors to participate in all reasonable publicity associated with the Cundill History Prize, including interviews, readings, and appearances. Shortlisted authors will be expected to commit to a minimum of 1-2 national/international media interviews. Finalist authors will be expected to commit to a minimum of 3-4 national/international media interviews;
- To use their best efforts, if a finalist or winner, to sticker copies of the book with Cundill History Prize stickers (to be provided) and to integrate the Cundill History Prize roundel (to be provided) into the jacket or cover design of future reprints or paperback editions;
- To provide the contact information and short biography of shortlisted authors, together with the latest author media pack and a high-quality, high-resolution photograph;
- To pay any customs fees, duties and taxes for the delivery of books to the Cundill History Prize.
Judging
The jury will compile a shortlist of no more than 8 books, from which the 3 finalists will be chosen.
The jury will choose one winner of the Cundill History Prize. This individual will be awarded US$75,000.
The two remaining finalists will each receive the Cundill History Prize Recognition of Excellence Award, together with US$10,000.
For a work in translation, the Cundill History Prize or the Recognition of Excellence Awards will be shared by the author (80%) and the translator (20%).
The jury will select the longlist, shortlist, finalists and winner in private deliberations preceding each announcement.
The decision of the jury shall be binding.
Publishers should be aware that they will receive no advance notice of the shortlist, finalists or winner.
Cundill History Prize Festival & Author Attendance
The three finalists will be featured and honoured during the Cundill History Prize Festival, to be held in October 2025. This includes participation in a Forum discussion and attendance at the Cundill History Prize Awards Ceremony and, if public health directives permit, gala dinner in Montreal. At the shortlist stage, all authors will be asked to confirm their availability to attend the Festival. The prize reserves the right not to consider authors to be in contention as finalists if they cannot attend the Festival. Should the Festival be held virtually, virtual attendance is sufficient; should the Festival be held in person, in person attendance is required. In that case, travel and accommodation will be covered by the Cundill History Prize.
The Cundill History Prize Lecture
The winner of the Cundill History Prize will be asked to give a public lecture at McGill University during the following year's Festival. The Lecture will be streamed, recorded and made available online. Travel and accommodation will be covered by the Cundill History Prize.
Revision
The rules for eligibility and submission requirements shall be interpreted and may be revised from time to time at the discretion of the Cundill History Prize team.