Guidelines for the Praxis Award Competition

The Praxis Award competition recognizes outstanding achievement in translating anthropological knowledge into action as reflected in a single project or specific endeavor. Ideal award candidates are anthropologists who can demonstrate the value of anthropological knowledge, theory, and methods to solve problems addressed through public and/or private sector efforts (e.g., government, industry, or non-profit). The competition is open to anyone holding an MA or PhD in any subfield of anthropology. In exceptional cases, applicants with a BA in anthropology may be considered (for example, in countries where the anthropology BA is considered to be a final degree).

Entrants are strongly advised to first read the overview of the award competition, and then thoroughly review the entire list of entry procedures below. The questions and criteria provided should serve to orient you as to what constitutes a strong submission. The Praxis Award competition has a two-stage submission process.

STAGE ONE: Optional Pre-Application (recommended)

Although not required, potential entrants are strongly encouraged to complete and submit a 2-page pre-entry form by Friday, June 30, 2023. The pre-entry will serve to determine if your project or effort meets the Praxis Award criteria.

The pre-entry form should be completed and submitted in PDF or MS Word format. Completed forms should be emailed to the Praxis Award chair Bill Roberts at praxisaward2023@gmail.com. All submissions will be acknowledged within 72 hours. Entrants will be advised within three weeks as to whether a full application is encouraged.

Click here to download the 2023 Praxis Award Pre-Entry Form (MS Word format).

STAGE TWO: Full Application

Submit the full Praxis Award application by Friday, September 1, 2023.

Each full entry should contain the following three components (the first two must follow the template linked below):

1. A cover page (maximum 2 pages) with the following information:

• name(s) of project anthropologist(s)
• project client(s)/sponsor(s)
• project title
• project abstract (130 words maximum)
• date of submission
• biographical sketch(es)

2. A descriptive essay (maximum five to ten single-spaced, numbered pages, 12-point font, 1" margins) that:

• Identifies the client(s) and the problem being addressed, and explains how one or more anthropologists became involved in the project
• Describes the project's objective(s) and design, with attention to the role of anthropologist(s) and the use of anthropological concepts in developing the approach to the problem
• Presents an overview of how the project was implemented, including the phases and processes entailed, unanticipated difficulties encountered and resolved, and ways in which anthropological methods and data were applied in carrying it out
• Delineates the project's major results and the degree to which it succeeded in achieving its objective(s), and explains the relative importance of anthropology in the attainment of project outcomes (i.e., articulates the "anthropological difference")

Note: References should be kept to a minimum, and do not count toward the 10-page total.

3. Supporting documents: entries will be strengthened by supporting letters and public testimonials from project clients and beneficiaries, as well as any relevant media releases (limit three for each of these). Up to three, low-resolution photos may be included at the end of the text, but they must be relevant and necessary to enhance the full application.

Ideally, the final, combined full application packet should be less than 3-4 Mb in size. Thus, any graphics should be minimal and low resolution.

If the anthropologist nominee is not preparing the application, he or she must consent to the submission.

Click here to download the 2023 Praxis Award Application Form (MS Word format).

Full application packets (items 1, 2 and 3 above) should be completed and submitted in either PDF or MS Word format, ideally with all materials integrated into a single document, via electronic mail to the Praxis Award Chair, Bill Roberts, at praxisaward2023@gmail.com. Supporting documents should be scanned and included electronically with the submission packet.

Recipient Notification

All applicants will be notified by January 2024. The award winner(s) and honorable mentions will be recognized at the 2024 Society for Applied Anthropology meeting planned for Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Updated 28 January 2023