AILACT invites original essays on informal logic and critical thinking for its 2026 Essay Prize, offering a $500 award and publication consideration.
The prize welcomes original essays related to the teaching, theory, or normative practice of informal logic and critical thinking. The winning essay will receive a $500 U.S. prize.
There are no authorship restrictions except that current Essay Prize officials and members of the AILACT Board are not eligible. Authors do not need to be AILACT members.
Submit a PDF or MS Word document by email with “AILACT ESSAY ENTRY” in the subject line to:
Andrei Moldovan
AILACT Essay Prize Administrator
mandreius@usal.es
The email should include the author's name and mailing address.
1 September 2026
The winner will be announced by 15 December 2026. AILACT will publicize the winner through its website, newsletter, and sessions held at American Philosophical Association divisional meetings.
The prize-winning paper and any honorable mention may be eligible for consideration for publication in Informal Logic, provided the paper has not subsequently been considered or accepted elsewhere and the author consents.
Papers focused on critical thinking may also be considered for INQUIRY: Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum.
The 2026 jury consists of:
For information about AILACT and previous prize winners, visit the AILACT website.