The Sydney prize is a literary award for undergraduate writing. The prize honors Sidney Cox and the generative influence he exercised over hundreds of Dartmouth students in and out of his classes. It is offered annually for that piece of writing which most nearly meets those high standards of originality and integrity that Cox set both for himself and for his students. Any type of undergraduate writing may be submitted, including but not limited to essay writing, poetry, fiction and nonfiction. The work may be a short story or an entire book. It must be written under a pseudonym and submitted via the online submission process.
In the past, the prize has honored works that explore social and economic injustices in a particular community. For example, the February Sidney Prize winner was a deeply reported piece by Fred Clasen-Kelly, Carol Motsinger and Macon Atkinson, who exposed the hidden toll of Greenville, South Carolina’s “urban renewal” program on its Black residents. Other works have addressed issues such as police brutality, gentrification and evictions.
Sydney Prize is also awarded to individuals and groups that promote peace with justice. This prize was recently given to Black Lives Matter founders Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi. In addition, a prize is awarded to those that work for the advancement of women in the workplace and the rights of workers.
Among the many Sydney prizes are those that honor the arts and sciences, as well as those who bridge the gap between art and science or connect literature to science. For example, physicist and author Sidney Perkowitz was honored with the 2023 Andrew Gemant prize for his efforts to connect art, the media and science.
Other Sydney prizes are awarded to those who work in the field of journalism and public service. The Malcolm Robertson Foundation and Overland magazine sponsor a contest known as the Neilma Sidney Prize, which awards the winner with a first prize of $5,000 and publication in Overland and two runners-up receive $750 each.
In the modern day, it can be easy to lose focus and get bogged down with the daily grind. The Sydney prize stands as an antidote and declares, “STOP!” It is a reminder to stop and reflect on the state of our world and the things that really matter to us as a society. It encourages writers to take the time to do so, and for readers to support those who take the time to do so. For more information, visit the Sydney Prize website. The prize will be awarded at the annual Creative Writing Awards ceremony each May. Submissions are accepted between September and March. Participants must sign the Copyright Release Form to be eligible for the prize. This form is available from the Creative Writing Awards page. Participants who do not provide a signed form will be disqualified. The prize is not transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash. In the event that the prize is not claimed, it will be forfeited and reinvested into promoting chess in Sydney.