2026 J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Entry Form

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J. Anthony Lukas Work-In-Progress Award

Materials for this award must be received by Thursday, December 4, 2025, 11:59 pm Eastern time. No entry fee is required for this prize.

Guidelines: Two J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Awards, in the amount of $25,000, are given annually to aid in the completion of significant works of nonfiction on topics of American political or social concern. Recognizing that a nonfiction book based on extensive research often overtaxes the resources available to its author, the project envisions the awards as a way of closing the gap between the time and money an author has and the time and money that finishing a book requires.

How to Enter:
 

  • Anyone, including the author, may submit a work-in-progress.
  • Applicants for this award must already have a fully executed contract with a U.S.-based publisher to write a nonfiction book.



Materials Needed for Entry:
 

  • Statement addressing how the award will advance the progress of the book
  • 50-75 pages from the work-in-progress (12,000-19,000 words)
  • The original book proposal accepted by the publisher
  • Proof of signed contract that includes the details of the advance and payment schedule as well as the signature page or signed letter of intent by the publisher
  • Details on any other financial support for the book, such as a grant (if any)


*Please make all submissions in PDF format.

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