Australian Book Review welcomes entries in the eleventh Calibre Essay Prize. Calibre is one of the world’s leading prizes for a new essay and it is now worth a total of $7,500. We are seeking essays of between 3,000 and 7,000 words on any non-fiction subject. Calibre is open to anyone in the world who is writing in English.

The closing date is 15 March 2017

The judges are Sheila Fitzpatrick, Peter Rose (ABR Editor and CEO), and Geordie Williamson.

The first prize is $5,000 with a supplementary prize of $2,500

Entry to the Calibre Essay Prize is online only. Print entries will no longer be accepted. Before entering the Calibre Essay Prize, all essayists must read the Terms and Conditions.

Click here to enter the 2017 Calibre Essay Prize.

Entry fees

Online entry (current ABR subscriber) – $15
Online entry (full-time student) – $15
Online entry (standard/non subscriber) – $24

Special online entry + subscription bundles

Subsequent entries may be submitted at the subscriber rate

Online entry + ABR Online subscription – $55
Online entry + Print subscription (Australia) – $95
Online entry + Print subscription (NZ and Asia) – $140
Online entry + Print subscription (Rest of World) – $155

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions and Terms and Conditions pages before contacting us with queries about the Calibre Essay Prize.

Click here for more information about past winners or to read their winning essays.

Click here for more information about the 2017 Calibre Essay prize judges.

We gratefully acknowledge the long-standing support of Mr Colin Golvan QC.