Undergraduate Library Research Award
Presented by the Science, Engineering, and Social Sciences Libraries
Submission Deadline: Monday, April 21, 2025
This awards program recognizes Columbia University undergraduates studying in the sciences, engineering, and social sciences for excellence in applying library resources and research skills to a specific assignment, project, or creative work during summer 2024, fall 2024 or spring 2025. Applicants will be evaluated based on an 700 to 800-word essay accompanied by a work-in-progress draft of their related work. Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony where they will receive a prize and recognition for their work. Additionally, winning essays will be archived in Academic Commons.
We invite current undergraduate students studying in the sciences, engineering, and social sciences at Columbia to participate in our essay competition. To enter, submit the following:
A 700-800 word essay in English about how you used library resources in your research or creative work. Your essay should focus on assignments or projects that were worked on during summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025.
Final version or work-in-progress draft of your related work.*
*The related work submission is for project verification purposes. Evaluation will be based exclusively on the essay.
You’re welcome to preview the submission form to review the questions and plan ahead before applying.
April 21, 2025 – Essay Submission & Draft Project Upload Deadline
April 28, 2025 – Award Notifications
May 7, 2025 – Awards Ceremony (during study days)
Prizes are awarded as Visa gift cards:
- First Year
- 1st place: $250
- 2nd place: $125
- Sophomore, Junior, or Senior
- 1st place: $250
- 2nd place: $125
- Capstone Project or Senior Thesis
- 1st place: $400
- 2nd place: $250
Library “resources” encompass the following:
- Library staff
- CLIO and web-based tools (e.g., research guides, Borrow Direct, finding aids)
- Digital and print collections
- Programs and services (e.g., workshops, interlibrary loan, Data Club)
- Spaces, equipment, and specialized technologies
Projects can include (but are not limited to):
- Articles
- Papers
- Displays
- Exhibitions
- Scientific posters
- Capstone projects
- Multimedia deliverables
- Recordings
- Lab experiments
- Policy briefs
If you have any questions, please reach out:
Ben Chiewphasa
Social Sciences & Policy Librarian
- Science, Engineering, & Social Sciences Libraries
This project is made possible by the Columbia University Libraries’ Community Engagement Grant initiative.