Each year the WHA presents over 25 awards, fellowships, and scholarships to scholars, public historians, graduate students, and members of the historical profession. The organization has a long history of recognizing the research and teaching that strengthens the field of the North American West. Each award committee consists of at least three individuals who serve a three-year term at the request of the WHA President. Submission deadlines are in the spring and summer and award notifications are submitted in the fall. Please visit each specific award page for more deadlines, committees, and past recipients. Contact the Award Committee Chair or the WHA Office with questions and inquiries.
The Western History Association benefits from the generosity of donors who have honored the legacy of scholars, members, and individuals from the western history community. All articles and essays must be submitted to their respective award committee members by April 15, 2019. For more details on the awards, visit each award page.
| Arrell M. Gibson Award: Annual $500 award for the best essay on the history of Native Americans |
| Arrington-Prucha Prize: Annual $500 award for the best article on the history of religion in the West |
| Bert M. Fireman and Janet Fireman Award: Annual $1000 award for the best student article published in the Western Historical Quarterly |
| Bolton-Cutter Award: Annual $500 award for the best journal article on Spanish Borderlands history |
| Jensen-Miller Award: Annual $500 award for the best article in the field of women and gender in the North American West |
| Michael P. Malone Award: Annual $500 award for the best article, essay, or commentary on state, provincial, or territorial history in North American appearing in a periodical publication
Oscar O. Winther Award: Annual $500 award for the best article published in the Western Historical Quarterly. |
| Ray Allen Billington Prize: Annual $500 award for the best journal article in Western history not published in the Western Historical Quarterly. Vicki L. Ruiz Award: Annual $500 award for the best journal article on race in the North American West. |