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Department of State

New Jersey Historical Commission

The Hon. Tahesha Way, Lt. Governor and Secretary of State
2018 NJ History Forum

Awards & Prizes

Overview

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.

In partnership with the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance (NJSAA) annual awards program, the Richard P. McCormick Prize is given every year to the author of an outstanding scholarly book on New Jersey history published during the current year of the award or in the previous two calendar years. The award carries a prize of $1,000. All works must include footnotes or endnotes. Bibliographies are encouraged.

The Alfred E. Driscoll Prize is an award of $1,000 given every year 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 is given every year 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). The award carries a prize of $1,000.

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.

Nomination Instructions

To be eligible for the Richard J. Hughes Award, Mildred Barry Garvin Prize, Awards of Recognition, and Alfred E. Driscoll Prize complete the online Nomination Form. There are different requirements for each award so please follow the instructions on the form and see the Summary of Nomination Requirements chart below. Nominations for the Richard J. Hughes Award, 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. All self-nominations must be accompanied by two references.

Nominees for the Alfred E. Driscoll Prize must accompany their nomination forms with a digital copy of their dissertation emailed to Niquole.primiani@sos.nj.gov.

Nominees for the Richard P. McCormick Prize must follow the submission instructions outlined on the NJSAA website. NJSAA - Criteria for the Author Awards (google.com)

Summary of Nomination Requirements

Award or Prize Nomination form? Self-nomination permitted? Statement (max. 500 words)? Curriculum vitae (max. three pages)? Curriculum materials? Copy of written work?
Richard J. Hughes Yes Yes, with 2 references Yes Yes No No
Richard P. McCormick Submissions for this prize must go through the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance. Please visit their website for instructions.
Alfred E. Driscoll Yes Yes, with 2 references No No No Yes
Mildred Barry Garvin Yes Yes, with 2 references Yes Yes Yes No
Awards of Recognition Yes Yes, with 2 references Yes Yes No No
             

Deadlines and Selection

All nominations will be submitted by the deadlines specified below.

Prize Submission Deadline Notification
Richard J. Hughes June 1, 2024 September 2024
Richard P. McCormick April 30, 2024 September 2024
Alfred E. Driscoll May 1, 2024 September 2024
Mildred Barry Garvin September 17, 2024 November 2024
Awards of Recognition June 1, 2024 September 2024

Nominations for the Richard P. McCormick Prize are reviewed by the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance Author Awards committee and a scholar selected by the New Jersey Historical Commission. Nominations for the Alfred E. Driscoll and Mildred Barry Garvin Prizes are reviewed by an independent panel of peer reviewers; all 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.

 

 

 


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