CSIS Graduate Student Prize in Applied Military History

The Society for Military History and the CSIS Project on Military and Diplomatic History award the CSIS Graduate Student Prize in Applied Military History to the author of the best essay of 5,000 to 8,000 words that uses military history to inform current international security problems. Contestants may use any historical period, place, or persons to offer insights into current international security issues.

The prize is presented at the Society’s awards luncheon. The awardee receives $1,000 and is reimbursed for up to $1,000 in travel expenses to attend the annual meeting. The prize was reactivated for the 2026 awards cycle.

The competition is open to graduate students studying military history, including those pursuing a second degree. Active-duty or civilian students enrolled in a degree-granting professional military education institution are also encouraged to submit, subject to the limitations of classification and school regulations. Please observe the word limits.

Email the essay, in electronic form, to Eliot Cohen at CSIS.