Schnitzer Prize of the West

Our vision is for the Schnitzer Prize to serve as a “Nobel Prize” for the American West. In its inaugural year, we are relying on the guidance and expertise of our Advisory Committee to shape this ambitious vision.

Potential topics range from climate change to landscape ecology, conservation, ranching, farming, water allocation, fisheries, forestry, Indigenous sovereignty, sustainability, history, art, policy, and more.

Prize laureates will be recognized at a Prize ceremony and receive a significant cash gift and a contemporary artwork selected by Jordan Schnitzer. Their story will be celebrated through a multimedia campaign with national reach.

We define the American West as the geographical and biocultural area west of the 100th Meridian. There is – and has been for many years – important work being done by many to reimagine the definition of the American West. See the statement from Bill Lane Center for the American West titled “What is the West?” for more.

Any individual or a small group of individuals who have worked to deliver a significant, innovative, and collaborative solution towards solving a legacy issue in the American West may be nominated for the Prize of the West.

Additional factors that will be considered in the review of nominations include

• how various parties, non-profits, public agencies, farmers/ranchers, artists, environmentalists, etc. are integrated together;
• how an indigenous voice and a historical perspective are integrated;
• how legacy issues are addressed beyond partisan politics;
• how art and creativity are blended with the sciences, including natural and/or social sciences.

Examples of work for which the Schnitzer Prize of the West is not to be awarded include:

• Organizations or agencies
• Individuals who use litigation as a primary work function
• For organizing large meetings, summits, or conferences
• Individuals whose work primarily affects regions outside of the American West
• Posthumous individuals

Yes. Please read through the nomination eligibility criteria and requested materials before applying. You can submit a nomination starting Nov 5.

Details of the call for nominations will be announced on our website and through our social media channels. Please keep an eye out for announcements.

No. While it is important to remember the stories of those who came before us, the Prize of the West is not awarded posthumously.

Yes. We welcome individuals to submit multiple nominations.

Please review the Eligibility Checklist for details.

No, not by the Schnitzer Prize of the West. However, a log of the nominee’s name and year nominated will be collected and saved for three years for future consideration.

The Advisory Committee is comprised of a small group of individuals from across the American West—Indigenous leaders, farmers, conservationists, researchers, landowners, policymakers, authors, historians, etc. This independent jury represents various regions, disciplines, and lived experiences to provide diverse guidance. Prize laureates are invited to join the Advisory Committee following their award, to give back to the Prize and support the nomination and selection of future Prize winners. View current Advisory Committee Members here.

The Advisory Committee undergoes a thoughtful and meticulous review of all complete applications each year to decide and select the Prize winner.

The chosen nominee(s) will be notified of their award by a representative of the Schnitzer Prize of the West Advisory Committee. This will typically take place in the spring. There will be a Prize ceremony, which usually takes place in the summer of each year in Portland, Oregon.

Yes. Complete nominations are considered for up to three award cycles. An individual can only be awarded the Schnitzer Prize of the West once in a lifetime.