Lifetime Achievement & Career Excellence

The Norman and Laura Graebner Award

Awarded Biannually • $2,000

About the Norman and Laura Graebner Award

The Graebner Award is a lifetime achievement award intended to recognize a senior historian of United States foreign relations who has significantly contributed to the development of the field, through scholarship, teaching, and/or service, over his or her career. The Graebner Award was established by the former students of Norman A. Graebner, professor of diplomatic history at the University of Illinois and the University of Virginia, to honor Norman and his wife Laura for their years of devotion to teaching and research in the field.


Eligibility

The Graebner prize will be awarded to a distinguished scholar of diplomatic or international affairs. The recipient's career must demonstrate excellence in scholarship, teaching, and/or service to the profession. Although the prize is not restricted to academic historians, the recipient must have distinguished himself or herself through the study of international affairs from a historical perspective.

Procedures

A letter of nomination should (a) provide a brief biography of the nominee, including educational background, academic or other positions held, and awards and honors received; (b) list the nominee's major scholarly works and discuss the nature of his or her contribution to the study of diplomatic history and international affairs; (c) describe the candidate's career, note any teaching honors and awards, and comment on the candidate's classroom skills; and (d) detail the candidate's services to the historical profession, listing specific organizations and offices and discussing particular activities. Self-nominations are accepted. Graebner awards are generally announced at the SHAFR annual meeting.

Submission Details

To nominate a candidate for the lifetime achievement prize, please review the requirements below.

Nomination Materials

Detailed letter addressing biography, scholarship, career and classroom skills/teaching, and professional service.

Submission Contact

Submit the nomination letter and any questions to the Graebner Award Committee.

Deadline

Nominations must be received by February 1, 2028.

Submit Nominations

Norman & Laura Graebner Award Committee

Past Graebner Award Winners

Celebrating Lifetime achievements

The 2020s

2026
Robert J. McMahon, The Ohio State University
2024
Richard Immerman, Temple University
2022
Frank Costigliola, University of Connecticut

The 2010s

2018
Emily Rosenberg
2016
Lloyd Gardner
2014
Robert Schulzinger
2012
Melvyn P. Leffler
2010
Michael J. Hogan

The 2000s

2008
Thomas G. Paterson
2006
Gary R. Hess
2004
Warren I. Cohen
2002
George Herring
2000
Robert Divine

The 1990s

1998
Robert Ferrell
1996
Walter LaFeber
1994
Wayne Cole
1992
Bradford Perkins
1990
Richard W. Leopold

The 1980s

1988
Alexander DeConde