The Prize areas for this year relevant to the Humanities are:
• History
• Philosophy and Theology
The University of Oxford is permitted to submit only three nominations in each area, and so there will be an internal triage process overseen by the Division. The Leverhulme Trust's web page for the Prize can be found here.
Eligibility
• Nominees must hold either a permanent post or a long-term fellowship that would extend beyond the duration of the Philip Leverhulme Prize (2-3 years). Those otherwise without salary are not eligible to be nominated.
• Nominees should normally have been awarded their doctoral degree not more than ten years prior to the closing date for nominations (14 May 2026). The award date is considered to be the date on which the degree was confirmed by the awarding institution. However, nominations are accepted for those who do not meet this requirement if they have had a career break for caring responsibilities or due to illness.
Timetable
• An internal UOI deadline of Wednesday 4 March (7th week) for Expressions of Interest. Completed EOIs should be emailed to the UOI research office
• The UOI Research Committee will shortlist up to three, and these selected nominees will be invited to submit their EoIs via the IRAMS system by Monday 16 March.
• Successful internal applicants will be notified by Friday 10 April, in order to give a month for finalising and submitting the full application to the Leverhulme Trust.
• The University has a co-ordinated bids page for this year’s call.
Application materials
• In order to help with a Divisional or cross-Division panels, all candidates should provide the following in support of their nomination (matching the information required by the Leverhulme Trust):
i. Internal Nomination form with: a summary of significant research achievements (400 words); future research plans (400 words); how the prize funds would be used (400 words); 250-word abstract (maximum) for each of the four most significant publications, outlining how the publication contributes to the candidate’s discipline.
ii. A max. two-page CV (e.g. with academic appointments, key publications, details of awards, grants and prizes, teaching, supervision, academic or professional activities, invited presentation, membership of professional bodies etc.).
