Since its founding in 1596, sidney prize has produced soldiers, philosophers, economists, architects, scientists and social historians. It has also given birth to political cartoonists, journalists and novelists as well as poets, film directors and opera stars. It has even produced a 1928 Grand National winner and Sherlock Holmes. But above all, it has produced great writers.

The Sydney Prize honors undergraduate writing of outstanding originality and integrity. The prize is named in memory of the American philosopher Sidney Hook, a Phi Beta Kappa member who achieved national distinction in scholarship and undergraduate teaching and helped promote the cause of liberal arts education.

Any kind of undergraduate writing may be submitted for consideration; there is no limitation as to subject matter or style. A single anonymous judge of the manuscripts will be chosen yearly from among the Committee members at Hanover, and he or she will then select his or her successor for the following year.

Those who have been nominated for the prize will be informed of the judges’ decision by the end of each month. Anyone is welcome to nominate an essay or article for the prize; nominations should be made by the last day of each month, and nominated pieces must have appeared in a newspaper or magazine during the previous month.

Winners of the Sydney Prize are announced on the second Wednesday of each month. They receive a $500 honorarium and a certificate designed by the New Yorker cartoonist Edward Sorel. They also have the opportunity to be featured in a feature story in The Dartmouth Review.

In addition to recognizing excellence in long-form journalism, the Sydney Prize is also intended to encourage students to study and think about important social issues that demand attention. By awarding prizes to works that reflect a wide range of perspectives, the Sydney Prize encourages thoughtful discussion and debate about such topics as economic justice, cultural diversity, the role of government, the nature of science and technology, and global security.

For her piece “Budget Blindness,” reporter Maya Srikrishnan won a September Sydney Prize for her unrelenting coverage of the devastating impact of sequestration on federal programs, including public defenders and social services. She worked on the piece for more than a year, doggedly finding new avenues to tell the story as states blocked data requests.

The Sydney Peace Prize, established in 1985, honours a nominee who has promoted the values of “peace with justice”, human rights and non-violence. Previous winners include Julian Burnside, Prof Noam Chomsky and Mary Robinson.

The Event Cinemas Rising Talent Award recognises an emerging NSW-based creative working in short film with a cash prize of $7,000. Open to filmmakers, directors and screenwriters who have had no more than five short film credits.