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UK Libraries Dean's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Scholarship

This research guide provides information about the UK Libraries Dean's Award, including timeline, eligibility, evaluation, and other requirements.

Eligibility

We welcome students at all undergraduate levels, in all disciplines, and with varying degrees of expertise in using library resources to apply to and be considered for the Dean's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Scholarship. While we welcome submissions from all fields and from all students, there are certain eligibility criteria that apply to anyone hoping to receive the award. Any applicants must fit within the requirements listed below:

  • Must have current full-time undergraduate enrollment status at the University of Kentucky.
  • Completion and submission of an original research project for a UK credit-bearing course or for a faculty-mentored project, in any format or medium. Internship projects for pay are not eligible.
  • Projects must have been completed during the previous two academic years: from the beginning of the Fall 2022 semester to the submission date during the Spring 2024 semester (beginning in 2019, the eligibility period was extended by one semester).  Therefore, scholarship and projects completed during the following semesters are eligible for the 2024 award:
    • Fall 2022
    • Spring 2023
    • Summer 2023
    • Fall 2023
    • Spring 2024
  • Projects must be original work, not previously published, and not co-authored.
  • Students must make use of library resources (books, databases, collections, subject expertise, and/or other library resources) in their project and be able to describe how library resources benefitted their research.
  • Winners are strongly encouraged to attend the Libraries Award Celebration in the spring (date TBA), and will receive one night's accommodations if travel is required. 

If you have any questions about the eligibility criteria or need additional assistance, please email the Selection Committee.