AWARDS AND GRANTS

Historical Writing Awards

Annual historical writing competition recognizing authors who’ve made significant contributions to the historical literature of BC. Books are submitted by authors or publishers and judged by a readers panel.

Deadline to apply January 30, 2026
Awards Top Prize for Historical Writing ($2,500), First runner-up ($1,500), Second runner-up ($500), Community History Award (Certificate).
Eligibility New, non-fiction books representing any aspect of BC’s history and published in the competition’s current calendar year.
Contact writing@bchistory.ca
Details
  • To enter, complete the online application and we will follow up with the address of where to mail 3 copies of your book to.
  • Submissions are evaluated based on: scholarship, presentation, and accessibility.
  • Winners are announced at the BCHF annual conference and through media channels.

Gary Mitchell Centennial Legacy Fund Grant

A funding program supporting projects related to British Columbia’s history. Successful projects preserve tangible or intangible heritage and encourage new interpretation of, and engagement with, British Columbia’s history. Awards are made in the form of a grant with a 20% holdback until project completion.

A brief project update is due October 1, and a final report is due upon project completion. The Gary Mitchell Centennial Legacy Fund was initiated in 2017 to acknowledge, in turn and collectively, Canada 150, British Columbia’s Union with Canada 1871 Sesquicentennial 2021, and the centennial of the founding of what is now called British Columbia Historical Federation, in 1922. In 2026, the award was named after Gary Mitchell, a former provincial archivist and a past president and supporter of the BC Historical Federation.

Applications Open January 15
Deadline to apply March 1
Maximum Awards $5,000
(Selected projects in recent years have typically been awarded $1000 to $2500)
Eligibility Organizations, Committees, Individuals. Please note that you do not have to be a member of the BC Historical Federation to apply.
Contact clf@bchistory.ca
Details
  • Examples of eligible expenses include: research and travel, acquisitions, supplies and materials, consultants, interpretation, minor capital, and licensing. The grant does not support ongoing operations.
  • Applications can be made in successive years to a maximum of 5 years inclusive.
  • Winners will be announced in British Columbia History and through media channels.

W. Kaye Lamb Scholarship Awards

Two scholarship awards presented for student works relating to any topic of British Columbia history. Submitted works may be in the form of an essay (1,500-5,000 words), website, video, artwork, podcast, or other format. Applications are assessed on: the quality and originality of the research topic, the historical evidence consulted and presented, the argument and conclusions presented, and the overall style and presentation of the submitted work.

Deadline to apply March 1
Awards Two awards, one for first or second year students ($750),  and one for third or fourth year students ($1,000)
Eligibility Submission of a work created by a current student during a course from a BC post-secondary institution. The work may be on any topic related to the history of British Columbia, and must be created within one year of the application deadline.
Contact scholarships@bchistory.ca
Winners are announced at the BCHF annual conference and through media channels. Winning submissions may be published in British Columbia History magazine or on the BCHF website.
Details Complete the online form and submit the following supporting documents via email to scholarships@bchistory.ca:

  • One piece of original work completed as part of a post-secondary course;
  • A maximum 1-page cover letter explaining your interest in BC history;
  • A letter of recommendation from your course instructor

Recognition Awards

Recognition for outstanding contributions by individuals and groups to the study and promotion of British Columbia history. The Certificate of Appreciation recognizes service of BCHF board members and their supporters; The Certificate of Merit recognizes those who’ve made significant contributions to study or promotion of BC history; and a Certifications of Recognition is awarded to BCHF members who have given exceptional service to their communities or organization either for a project or for long service.

Deadline to apply March 1
Awards Appreciation, Merit, Recognition
Eligibility Nominated individuals, committees, BCHF members, or organizations
Contact awards@bchistory.ca
Details
  • Winners are announced at the BCHF annual conference and through media channels.
  • Those nominating a candidate will submit an online application form along with letters of support, photographs, or other documents to: awards@bchistory.ca.
  • Nominations without supporting documents may not be considered.

Bright Light Awards

Themed recognition awards marking achievements in the access, preservation, and interpretation of BC history. One award will be distributed. Nominations can be submitted in one of the following streams: The Advocacy Award stream recognizes initiatives and projects that create positive change in the world; the Cultural Resource Accessibility Award stream honours those working to connect cultural heritage resources with people; and the Storytelling Award stream recognizes storytelling in non-print formats (in-person, audio, visual, digital).

Deadline to apply March 1
Awards $500
Eligibility Nominated individuals, committees, BCHF members, or organizations
Contact awards@bchistory.ca
Details
  • Winners are announced at the BCHF annual conference and through media channels.
  • Those nominating a candidate will submit an online application form along with up to three letters of support, photographs, or other documents to: awards@bchistory.ca.

Nominations without supporting documents may not be considered.

Anne and Philip Yandle Best Article Award

Awarded to the author of an article published in British Columbia History magazine that best enhances knowledge of the history of British Columbia and provides enjoyable reading as judged by a readers panel.

Award $250
Eligibility All articles published in British Columbia History during the selection year are automatically considered. Articles must not have been previously published in British Columbia History.
Details
  • Judging is based upon subject development, writing skill, freshness of material, and its appeal to a general readership.
  • Winners are announced at the BCHF annual conference and through media channels.

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