British Academy Book Prize
The British Academy Book Prize rewards outstanding books in the humanities and social sciences that combine original thinking, high-quality research and exceptional storytelling.
Its purpose is to inspire people through non-fiction that changes the way you see the world.
About the Prize
The British Academy Book Prize is awarded by the British Academy, the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences, and eligible books come from the subjects that fall within those disciplines.
A shortlist of six books will be announced in January, followed by a winner in March. The winner receives a total prize of £25,000, and the shortlisted authors receive £1,000 each.
Handpicked by experts, the British Academy Book Prize curates the best new non-fiction in the humanities and social about the questions of our time - the books that change the way you see the world.
2025 shortlist
Discover more
2027 Key dates
History and past winners
Since 2013, the British Academy Book Prize has recognised 50 distinguished books on its shortlist and celebrated 13 winners.
Discover our full library of books and authors that have changed the way we see the world.
How to enter
Visit our submissions page to view upcoming prize dates and full eligibility and selection criteria.
Supporters
The British Academy Book Prize is supported by the Hawthornden Foundation and the Ford Foundation.
Our bookshop partner is the London Review Bookshop.
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