Ben-Gurion University Launches International Climate Literature Award

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has introduced the "Zonnenfeld Prize for Literature on Climate," a new international award recognizing literary works addressing the climate crisis and its related environmental, cultural, and social challenges. The prize is an initiative of the Goldman Zonnenfeld School for Sustainability and Climate Change, led by Professor Shimon Rahmilevitch. It will be awarded annually, alternating between works published in Hebrew and English, focusing each year on a different literary genre such as prose, nonfiction, poetry, and children's literature.

The prize committee is chaired by Professor Yigal Schwartz, head of the Institute for the Study of Jewish and Israeli Literature and Culture at Ben-Gurion University and a leading literary scholar in Israel. Eligible books must have been published within the last five years or within a timeframe specified for the chosen genre. Submissions can be made by authors, publishers, literary agents, and recognized cultural institutions.

The inaugural winner will receive a $50,000 grant, alongside two excellence awards of $10,000 each. The selection process involves two stages: a professional committee will first shortlist up to 15 works, followed by an international jury of literary, academic, and environmental experts who will select the winner. The award ceremony will be held at Ben-Gurion University during its Board of Trustees events.

Professor Rahmilevitch emphasized the importance of integrating cultural and literary efforts into the fight against climate change, stating that the prize aims to encourage writers to incorporate climate themes into their work to deepen public awareness and engagement. The university issued a call for submissions for the first award cycle in June 2026, with a deadline of August 21, 2026.