Dibner Award for Excellence in Museum Exhibits Grant

Dibner Award for Excellence in Museum Exhibits Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Society for the History of Technology
Amount: Up to US $1,000
Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Summary

The Dibner Award for Excellence in Museum Exhibits, established in 1985 by Bern Dibner, recognizes outstanding museum exhibits that effectively interpret the history of technology and engineering. Eligible exhibits must be open to the public for no more than 24 months before nominations close. The award includes a plaque and up to $1,000 to cover expenses for accepting the award at the SHOT banquet, encouraging nominations from local historical societies.

Overview

NOTE: Anyone, including the institution or individual responsible for its creation, may nominate an exhibit for the Dibner Award.In the case of traveling and short-term exhibits that close before the deadline or in the two months that follow; in those cases, nominators must submit their documents to the committee at least two months in advance of the exhibit’s closing date. Dibner Award for Excellence in Museum Exhibits The Dibner Award for Excellence in Museum Exhibits was established in 1985, through the generosity of Bern Dibner, to recognize excellence in museums and museum exhibits that interpret the history of technology, industry, and engineering to the general public. Winning exhibits, in addition to being well designed and produced, should raise pertinent historical issues. Artifacts and images should be used in a manner that interests, teaches, and stimulates both the general public and historians The award consists of a plaque and up to $1,000 to cover expenses for a member of the responsible team to accept the award at the SHOT awards banquet. Exhibits are eligible for this award if they have been open to the public for no more than 24 months before the deadline for nominations. The Society especially encourages nominations from local and regional historical societies and museums.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The prize will be awarded to an outstanding exhibit that interprets the history of technology:In general online, screen-based and physical exhibits are eligible. Travelling and temporary exhibits are eligible only if they are accessible to the Society’s referees for a period of two months after the application-closing date.An exhibit can be awarded a Prize only once. It cannot be repeatedly submitted and rewarded. Only a shortlist of exhibits will be refereed.