MDPI Books invites submissions to its brand-new Early Career Researcher Prize, sponsored by the journals: Humanities, Philosophies, Publications, and Social Sciences. Each journal will select one winning entry, which will receive full editorial support and a complete waiver of Book Processing Charges.

The competition offers early career researchers the opportunity to bolster the global visibility of their work through open access (OA) publishing. Entries will be judged by the respective evaluation committees, comprising Editorial Board Members and Editors-in-Chief. Authors are encouraged to include compelling statements about the impact of their proposed book on the relevant field of research. Winners will be selected based solely on their proposals.

Submissions are now open, closing on 16 November 2025. Winning entries will be announced in December 2025.

“We launched the Early Career Researcher Prize knowing that publishing opportunities for scholars in the early stage of their academic employment are essential for both their growth and the advancement of knowledge," said Evan Escamilla, project manager at MDPI Books. "Early publications sharpen communication skills and the competence to produce high-quality work in the early writing stages, while opening doors to further career opportunities, collaborations, and funding. Crucially, early scholars bring diverse perspectives and evolving viewpoints that keep research fields vibrant and innovative.”

Eligibility

1. The competition is open to early carer researchers within six years of their first academic appointment or the completion of their PhD.
2. Proposals can be submitted by an individual or predefined team of authors.
3. Only monograph proposals with a clear, coherent concept are eligible. PhDs and extended PhDs are not eligible for submission.
4. Proposals must be within the scope of the author’s selected participating journal.
5. All proposals must be original, unpublished, and intended for OA publication under a CC BY license with MDPI Books.
6. There are no restrictions based on geographic location, institutional affiliation, or publication history.

Submitting a Proposal

Entries can be submitted online using this application form. Well-written proposals will include a clear and concise abstract, topic, and intended approach, as well as a comprehensive chapter outline. Publication is contingent on successful peer review and final approval processes.

For further support, contact the MDPI Books Editorial Team (bksubmission@mdpi.com) or visit the Early Career Researcher Prize page.

About MDPI Books

MDPI believes that the rapid and widespread dissemination of knowledge through open access should not be restricted to academic journals and should also capture and elevate book publishing. Accordingly, MDPI Books offers academic authors the possibility to publish their work in various book forms, including short-form or full-length monographs and edited volumes—an invitation to collaborate and reflect.

About MDPI

Headquartered in Switzerland, MDPI is a fully open access publisher with a portfolio of more than 480 journals across all scientific disciplines. To date, MDPI has published the works of over 4.2 million researchers, collaborating with an extensive network of academic institutions and scientific societies worldwide. Above all, MDPI is committed to ensuring that high-quality research is freely accessible to readers across the globe.

For media enquiries, please contact: externalaffairs.eu@mdpi.com