*Inaugural Year, 2026
Association of Black Anthropologists First Book Prize
*Inaugural Year, 2026
The First Book Prize will be awarded to early career scholars and researchers who are members of the Association of Black Anthropologists (ABA). Books must be single-authored or multi-authored ethnographies or critical works that advance the theory, method, or general approaches exploring the unique experiences of Black peoples globally. Edited volumes are not eligible. The book should have a publication date during the previous two calendar years (i.e. 2024 and 2025 for the 2026 award) and may not have been previously submitted for this prize. Authors must be current ABA members (non-members may join the ABA in order to be considered for the award).
Jury:
The jury for the prize is chaired by the prize chair, who selects two or three other scholars as jury members.
Letters of Nomination:
A one-page nomination letter should be submitted to the prize chair. Nominations from colleagues (junior and senior), press editors and directors, and self-nominations will be accepted.
Criteria:
Relevance to pressing issues of concern to the ABA
Original arguments
Innovative approaches to ethnography
Innovating approaches to theory
Clarity and accessibility of writing
Submission:
Submit the nomination letter, book, and author information through this form. Upload your nomination letter using the form. A hard copy of the book and a PDF/e-book must be mailed/emailed to the prize chair and each member of the jury. Books and letters of nomination must be received by the deadline for full consideration.
Deadline: April 1, 2026
* Decisions will be made by late summer, 2026.
2026 Chair and Jury
Chair: Hanna Garth, hgarth@princeton.edu
Mailing address:
116 Burr Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544
ABA First Book Prize Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEPPThLRxgOeMLfBkG1dBVjo9O8DU3RgfEvUaQj-96J0qLYQ/viewform