Gita Chaudhuri Prize

the best single-authored, original research based monograph about women in rural or environmental history, from any era and any place in the world. 

The committee is especially interested in topics related to rural women, women and education, community development, activism, and environmental history.

Award: $1000

Open for submissions: annually in October

Deadline: The 2025 Chaudhuri Prize is now closed for submission. The winner will be announced at the Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Eligibility

Applicants for the Gita Chaudhuri Prize:

• must have membership that is current through the award year (December 31, 2025) when they submit their application. If your membership expires prior to December 31, 2025, please renew prior to applying in order to avoid disqualification. If you are not a member, please join to gain access to the application.

• current WAWH board members are not eligible to apply.

• must submit a single-authored monograph based on original research.  Anthologies and edited works are not eligible. 

• The book must have been published in one of the three years (2022, 2023, or 2024) prior to the prize year. Books should be submitted based on publication date rather than copyright date.

• Books may only be submitted for consideration once and cannot be submitted a second time as paperbacks or new editions. 

• Books may only be submitted in a given year for consideration for a single award (please do not submit a single article for multiple award categories). Please select the prize that best fits the work.

• Entries must be in English. 

Submission Requirements

Applicants for the Gita Chaudhuri Prize must submit the following through the application portal (see green button below):

• a prize application form

• one copy of the entry for each committee member (addresses may be found on the application). Committees will accept only hard copies of books for the 2025 cycle.

• a statement that the applicant is a current member of the WAWH

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read about the award and the selection process in the Gita Chaudhuri Prize bylaws. 

Disqualification: Applicants who do not meet the deadline for submission or include all the required materials will not be considered.