WILMINGTON, DE / ACCESS Newswire / March 9, 2026 / The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), an organization dedicated to educating college students in core conservative principles, named Matt Spalding the winner of the 2026 Conservative Book of the Year Award for his book The Making of the American Mind: The Story of our Declaration of Independence (Encounter Books).

This annual award honors a book for making a significant contribution to conservative thought and discourse. A panel of judges selected The Making of the American Mind from among five outstanding finalists.

Matt Spalding will be honored at ISI's Conservative Book of the Year Award Ceremony and Luncheon, where he will receive the Professor Henry and Commendatore Anne Paolucci Book Award and a cash prize. The event will take place on Saturday, May 1, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

John A. Burtka IV, president and CEO of ISI, remarked: "Matthew Spalding is one of the foremost educators in America today. Given his deep understanding of the historic and philosophical roots of the Declaration of Independence, he is particularly well-suited to articulate and defend the American mind. It's a special privilege for ISI to present this award to him during America's 250th anniversary year, thanks to the generous support of the late Anne and Henry Paolucci."

This year's lineup of finalists for the prize included:

• Paul Kingsnorth, Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity

• Amy Coney Barrett, Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution

• Alex Karp and Nicholas W. Zamiska, The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West

• Ross Douthat, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious

• Christopher Scalia, 13 Novels Conservative Will Love (but Probably Haven't Read)

For decades, ISI's Conservative Book of the Year Award has highlighted works that shape and enrich the conservative tradition. For more information about the event and to learn more about the finalists, please visit ISI's website.

About the Intercollegiate Studies Institute:

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute inspires college students to discover and embrace the principles and virtues that promote freedom and prosperity in America. ISI introduces students to a vibrant community of scholars and the rich tradition of ordered liberty, countering the narrow range of debate often found on college campuses. As a 501(c)(3) educational organization, ISI plays a vital role in developing articulate voices for conservative principles. For more information, visit https://isi.org/alumni/conservative-book-of-the-year-award/.

Media Contact: For media inquiries or to cover the Conservative Book of the Year Award Ceremony and Luncheon, please contact Spencer Kashmanian at skashmanian@isi.org.

SOURCE: Intercollegiate Studies Institute