Macaulay Honors College
The 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awards
04/02/2024
College News
The inaugural Macaulay Honors College Outstanding Undergraduate Research is a consortium-wide competition that recognizes excellence in undergraduate research, scholarship, or the arts by Macaulay Honors College seniors. These awards also recognize the invaluable role of faculty mentors and advisors to Macaulay students’ overall honors education.
Awards are given to the top three projects submitted each year. First-place winners receive $1,000; second place is awarded $500; and third place is awarded $250. Winners will be featured on the Macaulay Honors College website and honored at the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awards Celebration.
Student submissions will be evaluated by a committee of Macaulay faculty and staff on the basis of the work’s quality, originality, and contribution to the field.
Eligibility
All Macaulay Honors College seniors completing a thesis or capstone project as part of their graduation requirements in the 2023-2024 academic year are eligible. Research is broadly construed, including projects in the arts. The Spring 2024 award encompasses graduates from Summer and Fall 2023 as well as Spring 2024.
How to Apply
Students are invited to apply directly using the online form linked below, and nominations from academic departments, individual faculty members, and campus Macaulay Directors are also encouraged. Students nominated by faculty and staff will need to complete the online application.
We are now accepting applications and nominations for the 2024 Macaulay Honors College’s Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awards. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, May 2, 2024, 11:59pm EST. We encourage faculty, staff, and directors intending to nominate students to do so as soon as possible.
In submitting their online entry form, students should:
- Prepare an abstract not exceeding 500 words that contains the following information:
- Project description
- Description of methodology (if appropriate)
- Key findings (if appropriate)
- Conclusions and implications
- List any awards or grants received to support this project
- Consult their thesis or project advisor that they would like to apply for this award. Faculty advisors will receive a short feedback form to complete. The advisor must complete the statement of support for the committee to evaluate the project.
- Attach a writing sample of 5-10 pages (1250-2500 words) in .pdf format; this sample could be a selection from your thesis or project.
The application and faculty statement of support are available here:
Entry form for the 2024 Macaulay Honors College Outstanding Thesis Prize
Important Dates
- Submission of applications, attachments, and statements of support must be received by May 2, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST
- A review committee of Macaulay Honors College faculty staff will select and notify three finalists by May 7
- Three finalists are invited to give presentations of their work at the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awards Celebration on Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Questions about these awards can be sent to OAP@macaulay.cuny.edu
Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awards Celebration: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
All students submitting their projects for consideration, along with their faculty advisors and mentors, will be recognized at a celebratory event at Macaulay Honors College on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 5:00 pm. At the event, students will be encouraged to connect with colleagues to discuss their research and projects, and three finalists will be invited to give 10-minute presentations on their work.