Academic public health depends on scholars who are willing to ask difficult questions, pursue new approaches, and follow evidence wherever it leads. The inaugural Carob Trust Prize for Academic Courage offers an opportunity to recognize this type of scholarship, with $1 million over five years in largely unrestricted support. For 2027, the Prize is focused on the social sciences, making it potentially relevant to faculty and researchers working across many areas that intersect with public health.

The Prize recognizes academics whose original and rigorous work challenges prevailing political, intellectual, or methodological ideas and has the potential to influence knowledge, policy, or society. Selection will consider intellectual independence, the originality of a scholar’s research agenda, and evidence of impact on academic debate, public discourse, or policy.

Academic public health leaders may wish to consider faculty and research colleagues whose work reflects these qualities, particularly scholars working at the intersection of public health and the social sciences. While the Prize considers a candidate’s body of work, earlier-career scholars may also be considered for a smaller award.

Eligible candidates must be living US citizens or legal residents. Self-nominations are not permitted, and nominations are due November 1, 2026.