York Doctoral Publishing Prize 2027

We are pleased to announce the inaugural York Doctoral Publishing Prize, run in conjunction with the University of York’s open access publisher White Rose University Press (WRUP). The prize celebrates postgraduate research at the University of York by supporting recent Doctoral graduates to explore opportunities to publish their doctoral research as an open access monograph with WRUP.

Prize winners will receive...

£250 cash prize

Paid to up to three shortlisted prize winners

Tailored support

Through the commissioning process and, if commissioned, the publishing process

Publication funding

If commissioned, open access publication costs will be paid by the Library

The prize will be open for submissions from 2nd November 2026 to 7th May 2027. It is open to University of York doctoral graduates, submitting proposals based on doctoral degrees awarded since 1st January 2024 and before the submission deadline. Authors need to submit a completed submission form including: a proposal explaining how they would turn their doctoral research into a monograph; support from an academic referee; information about a proposed mentor to support them through the process; and a sample chapter of the proposed book for consideration by the judging panel.

There will be up to three shortlisted prize winners who will each receive a £250 cash prize. All shortlisted prize winners will also see their proposal considered for publication by WRUP. Proposals will undergo the full WRUP commissioning process (including peer review), which will inform WRUP Editorial Board’s commissioning decision. Prize winners will see any open access publishing fees paid and, if commissioned, authors will be fully supported through the publishing process.

Submissions are welcome from all departments, research centres and schools at York.

If you have any questions then please email york-doctoral-publishing-prize@york.ac.uk

The York Doctoral Publishing Prize follows the success of similar initiatives by our White Rose Universities partners (the Leeds Early Career Publishing Prize and Sheffield Doctoral Publishing Prize).

Judging panel

Professor Rachel Cowgill, Associate Dean for Research - Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Professor Paul Wakeling, Dean of York Graduate Research School
Kate Petherbridge, Press Manager, White Rose University Press
Sarah Thompson, Associate Director (Content and Open Research), Library, Archives & Learning Services

How to enter

Applicants should read all the supporting information before submitting to the prize. This page includes the submission form; information for applicants, supervisors and mentors; and full terms and conditions. Submissions that do not meet the given criteria will not be considered.

Final submissions must be emailed to york-doctoral-publishing-prize@york.ac.uk by midnight (UK time) on 7th May 2027.