Submissions are open for the 2026 Chief of Army Essay Competition and Chauvel Prize, one of Army’s most respected and enduring intellectual traditions.

The Chauvel Prize reinforces Army’s commitment to scholarship, professional reflection and the continual strengthening of intellectual edge.

Named after General Sir Harry Chauvel, the first Australian to command a corps and a leader renowned for guiding the Army through austerity and modernisation, the prize honours those who contribute meaningfully to debates on the future of land warfare.

As Army again navigates strategic uncertainty and organisational change, the competition is a mechanism for enhancing its thinking, writing and argumentation.

The question posed for this year’s entrants is: ‘How can we rewire the Army to continually adapt to the changing character of war?’

The theme emphasises that adaptation must be system‑wide and enduring, grounded in organisational design and Army’s professional ethos, not merely short‑term solutions or tactical fixes. Eligible participants include ADF members in SERCAT (service category) 3-7 and Defence public servants.

Reflecting on last year’s strong field, Australian Army Research Centre Director Luisa Powell said the standard of submissions demonstrated the depth of thinking across the Army community.

“The 2025 essays showed that people across Army are deeply engaged with the challenges facing the profession,” Ms Powell said.

“The willingness to contribute ideas is a real asset, and it helps shape how the Army thinks about its future.”

Ms Powell said the upcoming compendium of winning and commended essays reflected Army’s commitment to informed debate.

“Our aim is to support a culture where rigorous thinking is encouraged and shared,” she said.

The 2025 Chauvel Prize was awarded to Sergeant John Wellfare for his essay The Professional Revolution to Transform Army into an Integrated Enabler.

Major Robert Bruce was runner‑up for Preparing the Army as a Profession for Mobilisation.

The winning essay writer will receive the $3000 Chauvel Prize and the opportunity to brief the Chief of Army’s Senior Advisory Committee, with the runner‑up awarded $500 and also invited to brief the committee.

Entries close April 30. For more information, visit the competition website.