Annual Academic Paper Prize in Philosophy of Physics
Excellence in
Philosophy
of Physics.
Celebrating scholarly contributions at the intersection of physics and philosophy, promoting breadth across the field.
About The Prize
The Du Châtelet Prize in Philosophy of Physics
Named in Honor of Emilie Du Châtelet
The prize is named in honor of Emilie Du Châtelet (1706-1749), the French philosopher who wrote on a range of topics at the intersection of physics and philosophy,
incorporating metaphysics, epistemology and methodology.
From her first publication on the nature of fire, through her magnum opus the Foundations of Physics, to her translation of Newton's Principia, Du Châtelet's work exemplifies the richly philosophical engagement with physics that this prize seeks to promote.
Cash award for the winning paper
Present at a specialized workshop at Duke University
Winning paper considered for publication in Studies
The prize, supported by Duke University in collaboration with the Studies in History and Philosophy of Science, is awarded annually to a graduate student or recent Ph.D. for previously unpublished work in philosophy of physics.
Each year, a prize committee of senior scholars in the field invites submissions on a particular topic. The committee provides the winner with comments & feedback in writing and at a specialized workshop.
The winner receives $1000 and the paper is considered for publication in Studies.
"Physics is an immense building that surpasses the powers of a single man. Some lay a stone there, while others build whole wings... still others survey the plan of the building, and I, among them."
Eligibility
Who Can Apply
Each year, a prize committee of senior scholars in the field invites submissions on a particular topic in the field of philosophy of physics.
- Graduate students currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program
- Recent Ph.D. recipients (within the last 5 years)
- Work must be previously unpublished
- Submissions must be on the specified topic
- Papers should be original research contributions
Prize Benefits
Cash award for the winning paper
Present your prize-winning paper at a specialized workshop at Duke University
Winning paper considered for publication in Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
Call For Submissions
2026 Prize Details
Topic: Newton's Principia
Deadline: September 1, 2026 (midnight GMT)
This year marks the 300th anniversary of the third edition of Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. To celebrate this, we invite submissions on any philosophy of physics topic arising from the Principia and its reception.
As is well known, Newton's Principia immediately gave rise to intense philosophical debates (such as those found in The Leibniz-Clarke Correspondence), ongoing discussion, interpretation, and re-interpretation (such as in Du Châtelet, Kant, Mach, and so on), and a re-visiting of the foundations and methodologies of Newton's theory in the wake of Einstein's theories of relativity. Present-day Newton scholarship continues to cover a wide terrain, uncovering and examining Newton's sources, inquiring into his metaphysics, epistemology, and methodologies, probing the conceptual foundations of his mechanics and gravitational theory, and assessing the widespread reception and influence of his work. We are pleased to welcome philosophy of physics submissions engaging with any aspects of Newton's Principia and/or its ongoing philosophical legacy.
The prize committee invites submissions on the topic outlined above. Please follow the guidelines below to submit your paper.
Submission Requirements
- • Must not exceed 10,000 words (including footnotes and references)
- • Must be prepared for blind review
- • Must be written in English
- • Must be unpublished and not be under consideration for publication
How to Apply
- • Complete online submission form
- • Provide contact information
- • Upload paper as a PDF
- • Confirmation email will be sent upon receipt
Our Committee
- Zvi BienerProfessor of Philosophy at the University of Cincinnati
- Mary DomskiProfessor of Philosophy, The University of New Mexico
- Steffen DucheyneProfessor of Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Andrew JaniakProfessor of Philosophy, Duke University
- Kirsten WalshSenior Lecturer of Philosophy in the Department of Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy and Anthropology at the University of Exeter.
Timeline
March 12th
Call for Submissions
Annual topic announced and submissions open
September 1st
Submission Deadline
All papers must be received by this date
October
Winner Notification
Prize recipient is notified
November 17th
Workshop at Duke
Prize winner participates in specialized workshop
Following Year
Paper Publication
Winning paper considered for publication