Public Policy Prize

The Public Policy Prize 2024 launches on Wednesday 4 October 2023. Be the first to know the question by registering your interest below.

The Bennett Prospect Prize for Public Policy is awarded by the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge and is held in partnership with Prospect magazine. It aims to showcase the thinking of early career policy professionals’ and researchers’ ideas on some of the big challenges of our turbulent times. The Bennett Institute is committed to bringing findings and insights generated by rigorous interdisciplinary research to the attention of a wide, policy-engaged audience.

Each year, early career policy professionals and academics are invited to answer a timely public policy question by submitting a short essay or film. Entries are seen by a high-profile judging panel including the co-directors of the Bennett Institute, and two other policy professionals/academics.

One winner receives:

• £5,000
• Publication on the Bennett Institute website
• Publication in Prospect online
• The possibility of sharing their thinking with influential stakeholders
• Invitation to the Bennett Institute’s Annual Conference 
• A year’s subscription to Prospect magazine and digital access

Two runners-up receive:

• £1,000
• Publication on the Bennett Institute Public Policy website
• Invitation to the Bennett Institute’s Annual Conference 
• A year’s subscription to Prospect magazine and digital access

Seven shortlisted finalists receive:

• A year’s digital access to Prospect 

Entry process and submission date

We welcome entries in the form of a 2,500 word essay or a short film of no more than 10 minutes from any early career researcher or policy professional of any nationality, based anywhere worldwide as long as they can answer the question and meet the following eligibility criteria.

Eligibility:

• Within five years of having submitted a PhD and started a research based career OR
• Within five years of starting work in a policy focused career
• Within five years of starting work in a policy focused career but undertaking part-time postgraduate studies.
• Co-produced entries will be accepted subject to all parties meeting the full eligibility criteria. Please ensure all names are included on the entry form. Judging is anonymous but the number of collaborators will be disclosed to the judges.
• Previous Bennett Prospect Public Policy Prize entrants may enter
• Work must be previously unpublished and unplagiarised

The following are NOT eligible:

• Current full-time Undergraduate, Masters, PhD and DPhil students
• Holder of a tenured academic position
• Current and former affiliates of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy