David M. Schneider Award

The American Anthropological Association is pleased to announce the annual competition for the David M. Schneider Award for an original graduate student essay. Throughout his life, David Schneider’s work on kinship, cultural theory, and American culture was provocative and iconoclastic. The cash prize will be given in recognition of work that treats one or more of these topics in a fresh and innovative fashion. The presentation of the award will take place at the Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association. The winning essay will be announced in Anthropology News and will be sent to Cultural Anthropology, a journal that David Schneider helped to found, to be reviewed for publication.

Eligibility

  • Authors must be graduate students in anthropology who have been admitted to candidacy for, but have not yet received, their PhD
  • Essays may be entered into competition by either authors or their dissertation advisers.
  • Awardees must be members of the AAA.

Application Requirements

  • A one page abstract-letter addressing how work demonstrates a fresh and innovative take on topic.
  • A two page Curriculum Vitae/Resume that includes contact information.
  • An unpublished essay no more than 30 pages in length.
  • A brief letter from the nominee’s dissertation advisor, director of graduate studies, or department chair certifying admission to PhD candidacy and not yet awarded the PhD.

Submission Deadline: March 15, 2024

Please contact us if you have questions or comments.

Past Recipients

Read about past award recipients.