Undergraduate Craft of Research Prize
The Phillips Memorial Library Undergraduate Craft of Research Prize a partnership between the library and the Center for Engaged Learning to recognize excellence in student research and use of library resources by the undergraduate community at Providence College. The library has been awarding this prize since 2014, and winners have written about everything from The American Chestnut Blight to Airline Baggage Fees to Gender Conflicts in Othello to Bruce Springsteen to Amino Acids, and much more!
The selection committee consists of faculty and librarians who have a passion for guiding and celebrating student researchers. Prizes for up to three winners and two honorable mentions. Full details and how to submit can be found here [providence.libguides.com/research_prize], and submissions are due February 6, 2026.
Prizes will be awarded based on the following criteria:
- Ability to select and evaluate appropriate source material from the Phillips Memorial Library’s electronic databases, the book catalog, our partner institutions, online and in local archives and integrate it into an effective research paper.
- A comprehensive and thoughtful description of the research processes, sources and strategies used.
- Originality of topic.
- Writing and communication skills in presenting a thesis and supporting it with effective research, correct citations and language.
Students must include with their submission:
- A 500-700 word essay describing your research process including specific sources –primary sources, databases, journals, websites, books, eBooks, videos, etc., used and strategies employed.
- An annotated bibliography with at least 10 annotations. If any AI technology or AI-assisted tools were used during the research or writing process, please include a full citation and a description of how, when, and to what extent it was used as one of the entries in the annotated bibliography.
- A research paper on any topic, at least seven pages in length.
