APA/PDC Prize for Excellence and Innovation in Philosophy Programs

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The Prize for Excellence and Innovation in Philosophy Programs has been jointly sponsored by the APA and the PDC since 1999. It recognizes philosophy departments, research centers, institutes, societies, publishers, and other organizations for creating programs that risk undertaking new initiatives in philosophy and do so with excellence and success, and it publicizes the success of these programs so they may inspire and influence others to follow their lead.

Award

To support both the award winner and its host institution, the PDC will provide campus-wide electronic access to a bundle of philosophy resources for an entire year. This brings a tangible benefit to all students and faculty at the host institution, with the intention of strengthening interest in, and support for, the award winning program. The total value will be over $3,000 and the publications best suited to support the winner will be selected in cooperation with the PDC. The winner is also presented with a plaque from the PDC.

Frequency: Annual

Next Deadline: June 30, 2025

Eligibility and Criteria

Departments of philosophy in colleges and universities, as well as institutes, societies, publishers, or other organizations that develop philosophy programs or projects aimed at promoting or developing research, teaching, or the public understanding of philosophy, are eligible to make a nomination. Philosophy programs must be based primarily in the United States, though they may have an international dimension.

Excellence is to be assessed by a record of achievement, the accomplishment of clearly defined goals, and the appropriateness of the program for emulation by others in the field. Innovation is to be assessed by the development of new research areas, new interdisciplinary connections, new international connections, new modes of teaching or dissemination, new audiences for philosophical work, or extensions of existing boundaries of the discipline.

Previous winners may be nominated again after a period of at least five years from the original award date. Nominations will remain in effect for three years, and nominees from previous years will be notified of the opportunity to update supporting material.

Nominations, with supporting material, are due by June 30, 2025.

For questions, contact prizes@apaonline.org.

Nominations

Any APA member familiar with a program, including those involved in its creation or direction, may nominate it. Nominations must include at least three letters or statements of support from individuals familiar with the program who can speak to its satisfaction of the key criteria of excellence and innovation. Other appropriate supportive material may accompany nominations. The award selection committee may, at its discretion, solicit additional information.

All material must be submitted as a single PDF file.

Only members may submit nominations; please sign in to access the nomination form.

To submit a nomination, fill out the nomination form.

Selection Process

The selection committee consists of five people appointed by the APA committee on lectures, publications, and research and will include two representatives of the Philosophy Documentation Center.