Cambridge University Press (CUP) has announced the creation of a grant to help scholars from under-represented backgrounds at the start of their careers to publish their first book.

The grant will help those from diverse backgrounds, geographic locations and first-generation scholars.

Called the ‘Amplify Grant’, the money is part of a CUP fund for new equity, diversity, inclusivity, and belonging (EDIB) initiatives.

The first three grants of £1,000 will be awarded in 2026 on the subject of ‘History and Area Studies’. The winners will also be given additional editorial support over a 12 month period. In addition, CUP will formally consider the finished books for publication, being given ‘right of first refusal’ in return.

To apply, scholars must set out their book proposal, career goals, their eligibility for the grant and a sample of their writing in an online form.

Applications close in April 2026, with winners announced in June.

The winners will be decided by a committee including Alexandra Walsham, Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge and Professor Karen Cook-Bell of Bowie State University, who edits the series ‘Cambridge Studies on Black Women in US History’.

Valarie Guagnini, Head of EDIB at CUP, commented,“As a leading voice in our industry, we champion dialogue, welcome diversity of thought, and celebrate representation.

“The Amplify Grant is one way we turn these commitments into action by amplifying diverse voices, and shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for academic publishing.”

CUP’s director of book publishing, Ben Denne, added: “We started with history this year, in part because the idea came from that team who have been instrumental in pushing it forward. We hope to set a strong foundation this year and look forward to exploring opportunities to expand into other subjects in the future.”

Cecelia Cancellaro and Liz Friend-Smith, publishers from CUP’s history books team commented, “We are thrilled that the Press is launching this initiative and that history is the first subject area of focus.

“This is an important and meaningful way to assist underrepresented early career scholars, and it has been heartening to see how quickly the idea for this grant became a reality thanks to the support of colleagues throughout the Press.”

In October, CUP warned of future collapse of the academic publishing industry unless widespread reform was made. The report surveyed over 3,000 people involved in the sector, concluding that it must become “more open, equitable and sustainable”.

Rising publishing volumes, financial unsustainability, widening equity gaps, and challenges in academic reward and recognition were given as the four main challenges faced.