The Different Types of Sidney Prizes
A sidney prize is a great way to recognise people who have made an impact on humanity. These can be scientists, writers or activists and they are a great way to reward their efforts while encouraging others to follow in their footsteps. There are a number of different sidney prizes available and each has its own requirements and criteria.
The Hillman Sydney Prize honors journalists and authors who pursue social justice and public policy in the interest of the common good. It has been awarded since 1950 and is named in memory of journalist Sydney Hillman, who believed in the responsibilities of a free press and in the need for investigative reporting.
In addition to promoting quality journalism, the Hillman Sydney Prize encourages an awareness of global issues and a commitment to the pursuit of peace with justice and human rights for all. Previous winners have included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson, Noam Chomsky and Joseph Stiglitz. The prize also includes a monetary award which is donated to a charitable cause chosen by the winner.
The Iwanter Prize is awarded to one graduating senior who has demonstrated a strong record of scholarship of an interdisciplinary nature. It is named in honor of Dartmouth College professor Sidney Cox, who was renowned for his literary talent and ability to motivate students towards realizing their potential. It is awarded in a ceremony similar to the weekly gatherings he hosted for his undergraduate students and has been used to support a wide range of creative endeavors.
Other notable sidney prizes include the SS Sydney Hook Memorial Award which honours writers who illuminate issues that affect politics and culture through their writing. The New York Times has awarded the prize since 2004 and past winners have included Amanda Hess for her article on online sexism and Ta-Nehisi Coates for his essay on how America began as black plunder and white democracy and has led to inequality and racism.
Another notable sidney prize is the Event Cinemas Rising Talent Award which is open to film creatives, directors and screenwriters who have had no more than five short film credits. It has been awarded since 2023 and comes with a cash prize of $7,000.
The Neilma Sidney Prize is a great opportunity for young writers to showcase their work and it’s sponsored by Overland magazine and the Neilma and Sydney Sidney Foundation. This competition is open to all NSW students from Year 9 to Year 12 and provides a great platform for writers to explore their creativity. Applicants will be judged on the quality of their writing and the story behind it. The winner will receive a $7,000 cash prize and a professional publishing deal with Overland. The prize is supported by the City of Sydney and Screen NSW. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. The competition opens on Wednesday 1 August and closes on Friday 30 September at 5pm. The shortlisted authors will be announced on Monday 3 October at the City of Sydney.