This prize, offered by the Washington Map Society (WMS) since 1994, recognizes academic achievement in the history of cartography. It honors the late Dr. Walter W. Ristow, former chief of the Geography and Map Division, Library of Congress, and co-founder and first president of the WMS.
The Award: A $1500 cash award, three-year membership in WMS, and publication of the winning paper in The Portolan, the journal of the Washington Map Society. Honorable Mention may be awarded to an additional paper or papers at the judges’ discretion.
Who May Apply: Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students attending accredited US or foreign colleges and universities. The Ristow Prize is designed and intended to encourage scholars who are entering the field. Persons who have authored a commercially published academic work are not eligible for this competition.
Deadline is June 1, 2026.
More information on the webpage of the prize.
