Bernheimer Prize (Best Dissertation in Comparative Literature)

About this program

The American Comparative Literature Association (ACLA) awards the Charles Bernheimer Prize to the best dissertation in comparative literature defended in the year prior to July 1, 2026, with a $1,000 award, a certificate, complimentary Annual Meeting registration, and roundtrip economy airfare plus up to two nights’ hotel at the conference rate to attend the meeting. Each institution may nominate one dissertation (nominations are made by departments or programs) and ACLA currently adjudicates only dissertations written in English. Eligible dissertations must have been defended within the specified year and be identified by the nominating unit as its best; nominations must be submitted via the ACLA website form (email applications are not accepted) by August 31, 2026.