Old World: Journal of Ancient Africa and Eurasia has announced its 2026 Best Article Competition for Young Scholars, this year dedicated to the theme “AI and Old World.”

The competition invites innovative research exploring the application of Artificial Intelligence technologies to the study of the ancient and pre-modern world. Submissions should demonstrate how AI, broadly conceived, can contribute to producing new and valuable knowledge in the Humanities.

The competition is open to doctoral researchers and early-career scholars who received their PhD after 1 September 2020.

Researchers from a wide range of disciplines are encouraged to apply, including History, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Art History, and Archaeology, as well as scholars working across disciplinary boundaries. Eligible research should focus on pre-modern Eurasia and Africa before 1500 CE.

The winning article will receive a USD 1,000 prize, with the winner expected to be announced in early 2027.

Submission deadline: 1 December 2026

All papers submitted by eligible authors before the deadline will automatically be considered by the Editorial Committee.

Old World is a Platinum Open Access journal, with no author fees, published by Brill and established by the Research Centre for History and Culture at Beijing Normal–Hong Kong Baptist University. The journal particularly welcomes innovative approaches to the study of the past, including research making use of digital technologies.

For full submission guidelines and further information, please visit the Old World journal website.