Andorra Finalizes Revamped Premi Principat Research Award with €10,000 Fund

Andorra's Consell General has finalized the rules for the revamped Premi Principat d’Andorra research award, maintaining a total fund of 10,000 euros split across two categories to recognize original research and the role of local publishers.

The primary category awards 7,000 euros plus publication by the Consell General to the author of an unpublished, original paper on Andorra, written in Catalan and focused on historical research or social sciences, including political science, anthropology, sociology, law, and economics. The new secondary category allocates 3,000 euros to an Andorran publishing house that releases at least one qualifying work during 2025, acknowledging editors' efforts to promote research on the country despite limited commercial viability. The format retains an accessit prize of up to 2,500 euros.

This restructuring divides the previous single 10,000-euro prize—formerly awarded solely to the main winner—and expands eligible themes beyond strict history to encourage more entries, as participation had fallen to rarely more than two submissions. The award shifts from biennial to annual, with deadlines extended to September to accommodate the changes. It will be presented at a modest, standalone ceremony, separate from the Nit Literària Andorrana after the Cercle de les Arts i les Lletres ended the event due to capacity constraints.

The initiative ensures continuity for researchers who had already begun work, with the Consell General taking direct responsibility. Rules await Sindicatura approval before appearing in the Butlletí del Consell General and Butlletí Oficial del Principat d’Andorra (BOPA). The update forms part of wider reforms to the literary night amid sector calls for streamlining prizes, with the Culture Ministry reviewing formats like the Fiter i Rossell de novel·la.