The National Business Book Award (NBBA)
Eligibility, Criteria, and Requirements
The National Business Book Award honours excellence in writing on subjects of relevance to the Canadian business community.
Established to recognize and promote the best in Canadian business books, the awards showcase the talent and dedication of writers who contribute to the business community.
The annual prize is open to non-fiction books written by Canadian citizens or landed immigrants and published in English or French in Canada. A work by two authors is acceptable – as are essay collections – provided the work is integrated and cohesive.
Nominees come from many sectors, including journalists, academics, business professionals, public sector workers, and writers.the outstanding achievements of Canadian authors in the field of business literature.
Eligibility
The NBBA is committed to an inclusive and transparent review process that fully reflects the diverse voices and perspectives that inform the past, present and future of Canadian business, its issues and the policies that shape it.
As an organization, we strive to attract and consider work across a number of disciplines, including but not limited to the following:
-
Business biographies and autobiographies
-
Economics
-
Entrepreneurship
-
Business leadership, management, and philosophy
-
Thought leadership and business trends
-
Public policy
-
Environment and sustainability
-
Technology and innovation
-
Corporate social responsibility
-
Corporate governance
-
Business history
-
Education and mentorship
-
The impact of broad social forces and issues on workplaces, labour, business, and economic equality.
Criteria
The jury evaluates eligible nominations on five criteria:
-
Originality
-
Relevance
-
Excellence of Writing
-
Reliance on Primary Research
-
Acuity of Analysis
Publisher Requirements
By completing the nomination form, publishers and authors agree to have the book submitted and will comply with the guidelines of the National Business Book Award.
Publishers will work in cooperation with the National Business Book Award to promote their authors.
The publisher (or author if self-published) agrees to pay, within 30 days of the Shortlist/Finalist announcement, $2,000 per shortlisted book as a contribution in support of the advertising and promotion costs incurred by the National Business Book Award.
Permission from the NBBA is required when using seal artwork on reprints of shortlisted or winning books.
Mention of the National Business Book Award is requested on reprints of the finalist and winning books.
Publishers will encourage their authors who are named finalists to attend the Award Ceremony.
Books are required free of charge for the nomination process, publicity purposes, and for the award ceremony.
An eBook or PDF version of the book is requested if available.
The winner is required to participate in an event hosted by key partners within one year of the award presentation.
For more information, please contact:
Mary Ann Freedman Freedman & Associates Inc.
(416) 868-1500
maf@freedmanandassociates.com
Nomination Form
To be eligible, books must be Canadian business-related and published in 2025. Accepted themes include business management, business history, business biography, or economics in (or associated with) Canada.
To ensure submissions are considered for the NBBA, entries must be received by March 31, 2026.
For nomination form click HERE.