- The Contest is open to publishers worldwide who hold English-language publishing rights to non-fiction titles published for the first time in English or in English-language translation between January 1, 2025-December 31, 2025.
- Publishers may only submit one title for consideration in the Contest. If a publisher submits more than one title, only the first entry will be eligible for the Contest.
- Authors may not submit to the Contest on their own behalf. Authors should work with their publishers if they want to be considered for the Contest.
- Self-published titles are not eligible for the Contest.
- Titles by jurors, as well as any of their immediate family members (defined as spouse, parents, children, and siblings) or household members are not eligible for the Contest.
How to Apply
We are now accepting submissions for the 2026 Penn Libraries Books Prize in Sustainability. To be considered, books should contribute to the global discourse on environmental sustainability, and particularly to the public’s understanding of these important issues. Additionally, they must have been published for the first time in English or in English-language translation between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025.
To enter, publishers must submit all relevant information using our dedicated submission form by Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 11:59pm U.S. Eastern Time. Read our terms and conditions below for additional details.
Terms and Conditions
By submitting an entry for the Penn Libraries Book Prize in Sustainability Contest (“Contest”), you agree to these terms and conditions. Failure to comply with any of these terms may result in disqualification. This contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure that your participation in the Contest complies with all laws and regulations. The University of Pennsylvania (“Penn”) is not liable if an entrant has breached any law and/or regulation in connection with the Contest. The Contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law.
Accordion List
- To enter, publishers must submit all relevant information via this dedicated book prize submission form.
- Entrants are encouraged to include a PDF copy (or equivalent electronic version) of the title with their submissions.
- Submissions will initially be evaluated for eligibility with the Contest. Penn will contact eligible entrants to request hard copies of their submitted titles to be used for judging. If requested, entrants must submit a minimum of eight (8) copies, postmarked no later than April 15, 2026. You are responsible for all shipping costs and associated costs.
- The deadline for entry is March 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM U.S. Eastern Time. Late entries will not be considered.
- The author of the winning title will receive a cash prize of $8,000. If the winning title has more than one author, the prize money will be divided equally among all co-authors.
- A panel of jurors of scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders in the field of environmental sustainability will select a winning title based on criteria including the title’s ability to engage and educate the general public, accessibility of the content to the public, the title’s contribution to advancing the understanding of sustainability issues, and the title’s potential to inspire positive action on environmental sustainability.
- All decisions are final.
- Winners are solely responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
- The winning author(s) will be expected to accept the award and present their work in-person in October 2026 at the University of Pennsylvania. Penn will provide reasonable airfare and hotel accommodations for the winner(s) to accept the award.
- Penn reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or amend the competition, or any part of it (including these Terms and Conditions) or change the prize to one of equivalent or greater value.
- By submitting a title to the Contest, you warrant that you hold the relevant English-language publication rights in the work you are submitting and that the work does not infringe any copyrights or other intellectual property rights and does not defame or violate the privacy rights of any third party, or infringe any other legal rights, regulations, or laws.
- You grant Penn a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty free license to reproduce, distribute, and display copies of the submitted work as is necessary for the management and administration of this Contest.
- You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Penn, its trustees, officers, employees, and agents for any claims, liabilities, damages, injuries , or loss to any person or property relating, directly or indirectly, to your participation in the competition, or for claims based on publicity rights, third-party intellectual-property rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy.
- In no event will Penn, its employees, agents, officers, or directors be responsible or liable for any damages arising from your participation in the Contest or receiving an award. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Penn is immune from liability for loss, damage, or claims arising from your entry into the Contest or use of the prize.
- Non-enforcement by Penn of any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
- These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Any dispute related hereto or arising hereunder shall be resolved exclusively by the federal and state courts located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Entrants hereby submit to the personal jurisdiction of these courts.