IHSA Thesis Prize

Applications for the 2025-2026 IHSA Thesis Prize are now open!

The International Humanitarian Studies Association Thesis Prize is awarded annually to the author of an outstanding thesis in the field of Humanitarian Studies.

The IHSA Thesis Prize is awarded annually to a thesis completed within the period of the call as part of an MA/MSc (or equivalent) degree program. For this call, it refers to theses completed between July 2024 and July 2025. Submissions must be single-authored academic theses, completed under the auspices of any degree related to Humanitarian Studies. IHSA understands Humanitarian Studies as scholarship that explores the emergence, development and evolution of humanitarianism, and how humanitarian crises evolve, how they affect people and their institutions, communities and societies, and the responses they trigger.

The main focus and primary subject of the thesis should be on one of these themes.

Each thesis may only be submitted for the prize once. Based on the existing linguistic competences of the IHSA Award Committee, theses can be submitted in English, French, Spanish, and Italian. If you would like to submit your thesis in another language, please contact: info@ihsa.info

Application/Pre-Screening Process

Applicants will be invited to fill out the online form (see below) and email their thesis in PDF format to info@ihsa.info, with the subject line ‘Thesis Submission STUDENT NAME’. In the form, applicants should provide an abstract (150 words) and answer the following questions in no more than 150 words each:

  • How does your thesis contribute to the field of Humanitarian Studies?
  • What is the unique viewpoint you bring to your analysis?
  • What do you hope the judging panel will take away from reading your thesis?

All applications must be accompanied by a 1-page supporting letter from the thesis supervisor, or a member of the thesis committee in cases of multiple supervisors. These must be emailed directly from the supervisor to info@ihsa.info, with the subject line ‘Supporting letter IHSA Thesis Prize STUDENT NAME’

Applicants will also be required to submit the name and contact information of their thesis supervisor. Supervisors may be contacted by IHSA to discuss the application.’

The IHSA Award Committee consists of a 4-person panel, composed of IHSA Board Members, with the inclusion of an IHSA member when necessary.

Deadline

Applicants can submit their thesis between 1 October 2025 and 31 October 2025 via the online form (see below) and via email. 

Evaluation Criteria

Shortlisted pieces will be judged based on:

  • Focus on and relevance to the study of humanitarianism, humanitarian crises and assistance
  • Contribution to the literature and unique viewpoint
  • Methodological rigour and ethical approach to research
  • Clarity of the argument, writing style, and structure of the thesis
  • Academic quality and originality
  • Societal relevance

Prize

500 euros. The winner of the Thesis Prize will work with the IHSA Board to promote the findings of the thesis to the humanitarian community through IHSA institutional and research networks.

Application form

IHSA Thesis Prize 2026
Name
Name
First
Last
Please select the language that the thesis is written in
Please email your thesis to info@ihsa.info with the subject line "IHSA Thesis Prize". Have you done this?

IHSA Thesis Prize 2024-2025

The 2024-2025 IHSA Thesis Prize was awarded to Greta Maria Grossek (University of Amsterdam) for her exceptional thesis titled ‘Being Pregnant in This Camp is the Most Difficult Thing in the World: Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health in Transit Through Participatory Action Research with Displaced Women in Lesvos, Greece’.