The Hazel Rowley Prize is dedicated to supporting the work of first-time biographers, a genre that demands rigorous research, narrative control, and ethical engagement with a life. The prize honors Hazel Rowley's legacy as a biographer of intellectual and political figures, and it seeks to extend that tradition by recognizing an emerging practitioner with the resources and counsel necessary to complete a first book. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize, a careful reading from an established literary agent, and a year's membership in a professional writing organization. These components are designed not only to provide financial support but also to facilitate access to the publishing industry and a community of peers. The prize is administered by a jury of established biographers and writers, who evaluate submissions on the basis of original research, narrative voice, and the significance of the subject. While the prize does not prescribe a particular biographical subject or approach, it favors projects that demonstrate a deep engagement with archival material and a clear sense of why the life in question matters. The competition is open to writers who have not previously published a biography, and it welcomes submissions from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including history, journalism, and literary nonfiction.