Ernest Scott Prize

About

The Ernest Scott Prize is awarded annually for original published research that contributes to the history of Australia or New Zealand, or to the history of colonisation.

Applications open

13 October 2025

Applications close

2 February 2026

Benefits

Up to $15,000 is available and only one award will be offered from this amount. Award payments will be made as a single lump-sum.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this prize, you must:

• have published original research on the history of Australia/New Zealand (edited or republished works are not eligible);
• have the work published during the two calendar years immediately prior to the first day of January of the year in which it is to be awarded; and,
• live in Australia or New Zealand or the respective external territories.

Eligible works must:

• be based upon original research, which is, in the opinion of the judges, the most distinguished contribution to the history of Australia or New Zealand or to the history of colonisation in these countries; and,
• be submitted by publishers. Authors are advised to request their publishers to submit their books on their behalf if they wish to apply.

Selection criteria

The recipient will be determined after considering the quality, historical significance, and literary merit of the submitted work, as assessed by the selection committee.

Conditions

Recipients are required to:

• accept the award online within 21 days; and,
• acknowledge the Faculty of Arts and the name of the award 'Ernest Scott Prize' in any promotional material produced as a result of the award money and where possible, assist the Faculty of Arts in promoting the award.

Outcome

The winner will be invited to participate in an online announcement.

Application process

Publishers must complete the online application form, including:

• mailing a copy of the book to each of the two judges (postal addresses will be provided via email once the application form has been successfully submitted); and,
• attaching a cover page to each book stating the publisher, publisher contact name, position, email address, contact phone number, book details, author, date published and ISBN number.

Please note: submitted books will not be returned.

Apply

Enquiries

artsawards-info@unimelb.edu.au

About the donors

Emily Scott founded this prize to perpetuate the memory of her husband Emeritus Professor Sir Ernest Scott, KB.

Ernest Scott was Professor of History at the University of Melbourne for 23 years, from 1913-1936. The prize commemorates his interest in the development of Australian historical studies.

Born outside wedlock, raised by his grandparents and enjoying no higher education, he worked as a journalist for 20 years. As a young Fabian and Theosophist, he married the daughter of Annie Besant and migrated to Melbourne in 1892.

His books on Australian exploration history made Scott into a professional among amateurs and antiquarians. He inspired his students to do archival research and to ask critical questions of popular historical mythologies.

A generation of young Australians learned about the country's past from his notable Short History of Australia (1916).

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.