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Lance and Elena Calvert Awards

About the Calvert Awards

The Lance and Elena Calvert Awards for Undergraduate Research

With the support of a generous endowment from Lance and Elena Calvert, the University Libraries' Lance and Elena Calvert Award for Undergraduate Research recognizes excellence in undergraduate research projects that incorporate the use University Libraries’ collections and demonstrate sophisticated information literacy skills.

The judges mainly focus on the research process: the demonstration of library research skills, adept use of library resources and reflection upon the strategies used to investigate a research problem. Winners receive a cash prize and public recognition of their excellent work.

✨ Rising Researcher Award

Eligible: First-year students engaged in early research.

Prize details: Up to eight winners, $500/each

Description: The Lance & Elena Calvert Rising Researcher Award celebrates outstanding first-year projects that incorporate library research. The award recognizes creativity, curiosity, and academic growth in first-year student research projects

🟠 Public Research Award

Eligible: All undergraduate levels, any discipline.

Prize details: Winners receive $1500

Description: This award celebrates student work that communicates academic research using modes of communication intended for non-academic audiences in an effort to positively impact our communities. Examples include, but are not limited to: podcasts, zines, websites, videos, GIS data mapping, Wikipedia entries.

🟡 Undergraduate Research Award

Eligible: Students in 100–300 level courses.

Prize details: Winners receive $1500

Description: This award celebrates research projects created for a 100-300 level course; examples include research papers and research posters.

🟢 Advanced Undergraduate Research Award

Eligible: Students in 400-level courses.

Prize details: Winners receive $1500

Description: This award celebrates research projects created for a 400 level course; examples include research papers and research posters.

🔵 Extended Advanced Undergraduate Research Award

Eligible: Two-semester 400-level research projects.

Prize details: Winners receive $1500

Description: This award celebrates research projects created for 400 level sequential courses (the project spans two semesters); examples include research papers and honors theses.

🟣 Creative Writing & Fine Arts Project Award

Eligible: Undergraduate students submitting creative work. 

Prize details: Winners receive $1500

Description: This award celebrates student work that expresses scholarly research through creative projects, including but not limited to creative writing, dance, design, film, art, music, and architecture.

Explore past winners

Browse previous winning projects

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