The Nicholas Crafts Early Career Award in Economic and/or Social History
This award is made in memory of Professor Nicholas ‘Nick’ Crafts and is made possible by a generous bequest from him to the Economic History Society. Nick was President of the Society from 2004 to 2007 and an editor of the Economic History Review from 1999 to 2005. He also served as President of the Royal Economic Society from 2022 to 2023, and was a Fellow of the British Academy, a Fellow of the Economic History Association, and a Fellow of the Cliometric Society. He was made a CBE in 2014. One of the leading economic historians of his generation, Nick made crucial contributions to the study of long-run economic growth and productivity, both in the academic sphere and in policy development.
The award is intended to reflect Nick’s seminal contribution to the study of economic and social history and especially his continued and enthusiastic support for historians at an early stage of their careers. The Society intends a prize of £1000 to early career scholars, defined as those within seven years of successful completion of their PhD.
One award of £1,000 will be made every two years to the applicant who is deemed to have presented the most impressive portfolio of research and research-related activity produced during the initial period of their career. Applicants are invited to take a broad view of what constitutes a portfolio which may include, but is not limited to:
- Publications
- Datasets
- Research projects
- Outreach, including blogs/podcasts etc.
Applications should include a CV of no more than two pages and a 1000-word description of relevant activity, itemising types of activity and providing links to relevant evidence (e.g. publications, datasets, etc.) in support of the application.
Eligibility
The Fellowships will be awarded to early career applicants, defined as researchers who have completed a doctoral degree in economic and/or social history within seven years of the relevant closing date.
Applicants must be members of the Economic History Society. Join here. Note that the online application form will only be visible if you are logged into the website.
Deadline for applications: 15 December 2025
