The Wiley-Silver Prize was established by the Center for Civil War Research to recognize and encourage new and emerging scholars.

Wiley-Silver Prize 2026

The Wiley-Silver Prize was established by the Center for Civil War Research to recognize and encourage new and emerging scholars in the history of the American Civil War.

The winners will be awarded the prize of $2000 and an invitation to speak at the University with an additional $500 honorarium. In addition to press releases, the Center also purchases advertising space in the field's two journals, Civil War History and The Journal of the Civil War Era to announce the winning entry.

Also Read: Writing Competitions in 2026 (Open to writers worldwide)

Submitting Books for the 2026 Wiley-Silver Prize

The Wiley-Silver Prize in Civil War History will be awarded annually to a scholar’s first book or monograph in Civil War history published in the previous year. 

For this competition, single-author books or monographs published by scholarly or popular presses in calendar year 2025 are eligible.

• Books or monographs published by scholarly or popular presses are eligible.
• Except in extraordinary circumstances, textbooks are not eligible, nor are anthologies or edited works.
• Works by authors who have previously published a book (on any topic) are not eligible. 

How to Submit a Book

The Center and each prize committee member must receive one copy of the book by Friday, February 20, 2026. Entries may be submitted by publishers or authors.

Each entry must be clearly labeled “Wiley-Silver Prize Entry.”

If the book carries a copyright date different from the publication date, publishers must enclose a letter explaining the eligibility of the entry.  

Results for the Wiley-Silver Prize 2026

Results will be announced by August 1, 2026. 

Where to Send Your Submission:

Send one copy each to the following addresses:

Center for Civil War Research 

Department of History 

310 Bishop Hall

P.O. Box 1848

University, MS 38677   

Andrew Lang

Department of History

208 Allen Hall

Mailbox H

Mississippi State, MS 39762

Joseph Glatthaar

501 Morgan Creek Rd.

Chapel Hill, NC 27517 

Lorien Foote

History Department

4236 TAMU

College Station, TX 77843-4236

The official information page.