As part of the Paris Naval Conference - 2024 edition, the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) and the French Navy Staff (EMM) are pleased to announce that the first edition of the "Admiral Castex Prize" for original research on naval strategy is now open.
Submissions will be accepted until January 1, 2024. [ Ссылка ]
From the South China Sea to the Atlantic and the Eastern Mediterranean, potential maritime confrontation zones are multiplying, against the backdrop of renewed strategic competition and the risk of naval combat return. Naval strategies are therefore set to evolve, particularly the flagship of the first rank Marines: the naval air group. These carrier-based naval battle groups represent the technical and human pinnacle of the French, American and Indian navies. They can be used to project air power with the help of an onboard naval air group, and generate strategic signals, given their considerable political weight. However, they are hard to come by, costly and therefore potentially vulnerable.
The aim of the “Admiral Castex Prize”, named after a French naval officer best known for his work as a naval theorist and his contributions to maritime strategy, is to promote original and groundbreaking research on maritime strategy. This year's theme is the “evolving role of the Carrier Strike Group”. Papers with an international dimension, a clear question raised, and the use of relevant bibliographical and strategic resources are particularly sought-after.
Entry requirements:
- Papers must be between 2,800 and 4,600 words long (including footnotes). They may be written in French or English.
- Research must be original (no prior publication). However, it is acceptable to adapt part of a master's thesis, a doctoral dissertation, or work carried out in the course of civilian or military schooling, provided that the length criteria are respected.
- Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, and submitted work will be checked for plagiarism.
- There are no requirements as to degree, nationality or curriculum. The participation of doctoral students, researchers or active military officers is particularly encouraged.
- Submissions must be sent in Word format only, before January 1, 2024, to strategie@ifri.org. They will be anonymized before examination by the jury.
Awards:
- After deliberation by the jury, made up of international military authorities and renowned researchers, the best essay will be awarded a prize of €2,000, the second €1,500 and the third €1,000.
- The prizes will be awarded during the closing cocktail reception at the Paris Naval Conference, on January 25, 2024, by the jury chairman, Admiral Nicolas Vaujour (CEMM).
- Subject to assessment by the jury and Ifri's Director of Research, and with the author's agreement, the best paper may be published in the “Ifri Briefings” collection.
If you have any questions or would like to submit a paper, please contact Ifri's Center for Security Studies at strategie@ifri.org, indicating “Admiral Castex Prize” in the subject line of the email.
