UGA Libraries Undergraduate Research Award
2026 UGA Libraries Undergraduate Research Award
Since 2007, the UGA Libraries have sponsored the Undergraduate Research Awards, which provide cash prizes for excellence in research. This year, the Office of Research is co-sponsoring the award. Recipients will be recognized and awarded at the CURO Symposium in April. All UGA undergraduates are eligible!
Information Session
The UGA Libraries and the Office of Research will host an information session on February 3, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. Click here to register for the information session.
Introduction
Communicating your research process can be challenging and rewarding. With the Undergraduate Research Award, we want to celebrate the different kinds of research projects students participate in and, more importantly, understand what they learned from the process.
Types of Submissions We Are Looking For
This year, we are looking for a REFLECTION on your research process using a medium of your choice, demonstrating creativity and clarity of expression.
All formats are encouraged. We mean it! Examples include:
- videos
- games
- music
- art
- works of fiction
- essays
If your work is not text-based, please include a short description (think 300 words max) with your entry.
(See our "Evaluation Criteria" page for additional details.)
What To Avoid When Creating Your Submissions
While reflection sections are often incorporated in academic writing and research projects, we ask that you avoid resubmitting assignments or projects intended for classes or conferences as your award submission. Instead, tell us what you learned about that research assignment or project in a new, creative, and engaging way!
We encourage you to look at past award winners for examples.
Awards
Multiple cash prizes will be awarded, including:
- First prize: $1,000
- Second prize: $750
- Third prize: $500
- Two honorable mention prizes: $250 each
Recipients will be recognized and awarded at the 2026 CURO Symposium in April.
Group Projects
Did you work on something as a group? Great! We welcome group/collaborative submissions.