The Richard J. Hughes Award recognizes outstanding lifetime achievement in the field of New Jersey history. It is given annually to an individual in recognition of a series of contributions in the areas of scholarship, public history, conservation and preservation, and teaching.

The Richard P. McCormick Prize is given every other year (odd years) to the author of an outstanding scholarly book on New Jersey history published during the preceding two calendar years. The award carries a prize of $1,500. In keeping with established scholarly standards, nominated works must be published by a publisher employing a rigorous peer review process. Peer review is a process of evaluation conducted by one or more professionals with a similar level of expertise to the author. All works must include footnotes and bibliography.

The Alfred E. Driscoll Prize is an award of $1,500 given every other year (even years) to the author of an outstanding doctoral dissertation in New Jersey history. Eligible dissertations must be completed within the last two calendar years. Unsuccessful applicants may resubmit their dissertation in subsequent years. Dissertations that have already been accepted for publication are eligible, and their presses may apply for publication assistance.

The Mildred Barry Garvin Prize recognizes outstanding teaching of African American history. Given every year, the prize is an award of $1,500 to a K–12 New Jersey teacher, guidance counselor, or school librarian for outstanding teaching of African American history, or for outstanding performance in a related activity (i.e., curriculum development).

Awards of Recognition are given every year to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to New Jersey history in the following categories:

• For multiple contributions made over time
• For those who have had a positive impact on the ways in which audiences and/or communities are engaged in history
• For scholarship, public service, conservation and preservation efforts, special events, and teaching
• For helping to increase public awareness

Note that this is not an award for the publication of a single book or development of a particular exhibition or project.

To be eligible for any award or prize given by the New Jersey Historical Commission, all nominations must:

• Be submitted via a [Link] nomination form
• If self-nominated, must be accompanied by two references

Nominations for the Richard J. Hughes Award and Mildred Barry Garvin Prize and Awards of Recognition must include a statement (maximum 500 words) explaining why the nominee deserves the award and a curriculum vitae (under three pages). Mildred Barry Garvin Prize nominations must also include at least one sample curriculum unit or lesson plan.

Nominees for the Richard P. McCormick Prize and the Alfred E. Driscoll Prize must accompany their nomination forms either with a digital copy of their book or dissertation emailed to madeleine.rosenberg@sos.nj.gov or a hard copy mailed via the U.S. Postal Service to:

New Jersey Historical Commission Awards & Prizes
33 West State Street, P.O. Box 305
Trenton, NJ 08608-1001

Summary of Nomination Requirements

All nominations will be submitted by the deadlines specified below.

Nominations for the Richard P. McCormick, Alfred E. Driscoll, and Mildred Barry Gavin Prizes and reviewed by an independent panel of peer reviewers; their recommendations are forwarded to the New Jersey Historical Commission’s Grants and Prizes Committee. The Committee’s recommendations are voted on by the Commission’s full board.

Nominations for the Richard J. Hughes Award and Awards of Recognition are evaluated by the New Jersey Historical Commission’s Grants and Prizes Committee. The Committee’s recommendations are voted on by the Commission’s full board.