Nine Dots Prize

Is data failing us? If that question stirs your imagination, then this international writing prize is for you!

The prize includes $100 000 and a book deal with Cambridge University Press. So if your writing promotes innovative thinking to tackle contemporary societal issues, get your thinking cap on and submit before the end of Jan 2025.

How to apply? Applications must include three parts:

• A summary response to the set question, which must be no more than 3 000 words in length. Should you win the Prize, you will be required – with the support of the editorial team at CUP – to develop this summary into a short book of between 25 000 and 40 000 words. The summary should cover the main ideas and arguments your proposed book will make, the evidence and research on which it draws and the key conclusions it will reach.
• An outline structure of this short book, including provisional chapter headings. This must be no more than 1 000 words and will show how you see your response expanding into a complete book and how you would develop your arguments, should you be successful. It is an opportunity to prove that there is enough depth to your arguments to provide content for an entire book.
• A justification statement, which must be no more than 1 000 words, that sets out how you will complete the book in the time given (approx. seven months). This will outline your previous experience in communicating effectively about evidence, research and ideas, and a commitment from you that your responsibilities will allow the book to be completed in the seven-month period. Where relevant this can include confirmation of support from your institution(s) or employer(s) that time away from your usual responsibilities has been approved.

The Nine Dots Prize is an international competition and welcomes applicants that are based anywhere in the world. The only stipulation is that applicants must be 18 years of age or over. Responses and the resulting book must be in English.

• Deadline: 11.59am GMT on Monday 27 January 2025
• Entry fee: Free

All entries should be submitted through their online submission form on their website http://www.ninedotsprize.org.

There is a Frequently Asked Questions page on their website that may be helpful. If not, then applicants can either email the Prize at
questions@ninedotsprize.org.

Click here for more information.