First Year
Individual Award
- 1st Place $500
- 2nd Place $250
This annual award is given to Notre Dame undergrads who demonstrate, through an 800–1,000 word essay, excellence in using library research skills and resources for course assignments, research projects, and creative endeavors.
The submission deadline is Sunday, May 11, 2025.
All winners receive a cash prize, are featured on news.nd.edu and other University websites, and are featured online in our Library Research Award Winners Circle.
Winners are selected from the following categories.
First Year
Sophomore, Junior or Senior
Capstone Project or Senior Thesis
Group Project
In addition to these main award categories, specialized awards may be given for exemplary work in the area of digital scholarship.
OneSearch ND Catalog Library Guides HathiTrust WorldCat ArchiveGrid
Books Articles Datasets Streaming Audio & Video Manuscripts
CurateND Medieval Institute Rare Books & Special Collections University Archives
Librarians Curators Archivists Center for Digital Scholarship Staff Hesburgh Library & Branch Staff
Reading Rooms Group Study Rooms Multimedia Spaces Data Visualization Lab Collaboration Spaces Classrooms
Multimedia Equipment Specialized Software 3D Printing & Scanning Virtual Reality Equipment Music Notation Software
Interlibrary Loan Document Delivery Technology Lending Large Format Printing & Scanning Legacy Technology Collection Research & Writing Camps Remix Multi-language Reading Club Workshops & Events
Saturday, December 1, 2024
Submission Window Opens
Sunday, May 11, 2025
11:59pm (EDT)
Submission Deadline & Final Project Upload Deadline
Monday, May 19, 2025
Award Notifications
Awards Ceremony Gallery
Write an 800–1,000 word essay in English about the library resources used in your research or creative work.
The essay competition is open to all undergraduate students who are currently enrolled at Notre Dame and do not already possess a baccalaureate degree. Essay submissions must describe assignments and projects completed in summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025.
See Details
Ask the appropriate instructor, faculty mentor, or advisor to submit a recommendation letter via the Recommendation Letter Form in support of your research or creative work. Note: If your letter is not received by the submission due date, your application will not be eligible for consideration.
See an example letter that you can use when you contact your instructor or advisor.
See Details
Your essay must be about a project for a credit-bearing course or supervised research project during summer 2024, fall 2024 or spring 2025.
Preview the submission form to review questions and do advance planning before you submit your online application.
See Additional Guidelines
Submission is due by Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 11:59pm (EDT).