Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize 2023 (up to £37,500)

The Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize for 2023 is now accepting applications. Since 1988, the Royal Society Science Book Award has promoted exceptional popular scientific literature and writers. It is now the only significant worldwide award that recognizes all genres of science writing for a general readership.

A group of knowledgeable judges bestows the Prize annually on the book that, via innovative and engaging material, makes science approachable to a broad audience. A Royal Society Fellow, one of the most distinguished scientists in the world, a Royal Society Research Fellow, chosen as an exceptional early career scientist, and well-known figures from the arts and literature fields make up the judging panel. The Award champions novels that dispel the widespread misconception that science writing might be too challenging or dull to hold readers’ attention. This is crucial for creating a greater awareness of science and its role in society.

Prizes:

For 2023, prizes of up to a total of £37,500 are awarded:

• The author of the winning book will receive £25,000 .
• £2,500 per book is awarded to the author(s) of up to five shortlisted books.
• All the prize money will be awarded as described above. Where a book has more than one
  author, the Royal Society will agree the allocation of the prize money with the publisher.

Eligibility:

• The subject matter of the books entered may include any aspect of popular science and
  technology, including biographies of scientists and technologists, and histories of science
  and technology.
• The Prize rewards books that best contribute to making science more accessible to public
  adult audiences. Judges will look for books they deem stimulating, engaging, clear,
  accessible, and high-quality. These books might challenge people’s views that science is too
  difficult, boring, or inaccessible.
• The judges’ interpretation of “popular science books” excludes books published primarily for
  scientific, professional or specialist audiences and pure reference works including
  encyclopaedias, educational textbooks, and descriptive books. The judges’ decision on the
  eligibility of an entry is final.
• Books in the same series may be judged together or separately, at the sole discretion of the
  judges.
• The first publication in English must have been between 1 July 2022 and 30 September 2023
  inclusive for all books entered. Books which were first published between 1 July 2022 and 30
  September 2022 may only be submitted on the condition that they were not submitted for
  the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize 2022. The only exceptions are for
  any books in which:
  • Any member of the judging panel has a direct involvement, which may be
    deferred for consideration in the following year.
  • The Chair of Judges has agreed prior to submission that there have been
    extenuating circumstances.
• Books entered must be in the English language.
• Books entered must be available to purchase in the UK through a UK bookstore or through
  an online retailer at time of entry.
• Books entered which haven’t been published yet are eligible as long as preview copies of the
  book (proof or manuscripts) are available by 3 April 2023. Uncorrected proofs, manuscripts
  or PDF sections of the book are acceptable as a preview copy, providing that the final
  versions are sent to the Royal Society before 1 June 2023. Books that are in the process of
  being reprinted at the time of entry (e.g.: as paperback when originally published as
  hardback) are acceptable.
• Employees and Officers of the Royal Society or any associated company of the Royal Society
  and their immediate families, persons connected with the competition/prize draw and their
  immediate families will not be eligible to submit publications.
  There is no restriction on the geographical location of the publisher of any entry. There are
  no restrictions on the nationality, age or any other characteristic of the author(s) or
  illustrator(s) of any entry.
• The copies entered must be paper-based and bound. For printed books we would expect
  the latest edition of the paperback or hardback. For eBooks they would expect the current
  edition of the eBook, printed and bound.
• A PDF version of each book must be submitted. Submissions without a PDF will not be
  considered. PDF’s can be submitted to sciencebooks@royalsociety.org.
  Publishers may submit as many books as they wish and are encouraged to do so.
  There is no charge to enter.

Application:

• Each book entered must be submitted by the book’s publisher.
• Ensure you have read all the terms of entry before submitting your entry/entries.
• For each book you are entering:
• Complete the full online entry form. A separate form must be completed for
  each book.
• A PDF copy of each book must be submitted through the online entry form or
  by emailing it to sciencebooks@royalsociety.org
• Send seven copies (non-returnable) of each book.
• Books should be mailed to:

The Royal Society Science Book Prize
6-9 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AG
United Kingdom
To arrive by 6pm (GMT) on Friday 24 March 2023. Courier contact for delivery: 020 7451 2500

Click here to apply