Yale Library invites students to submit senior essays for three annual prizes

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April 2, 2024

Yale Library has opened its application process for its three senior essay prizes, awarded annually: The Diane Kaplan Memorial Senior Essay Prize, the Harvey M. Applebaum ’59 Award, and the Library Map Prize.

Each prize winner receives a $500 award, and the winning essays are published on Eli Scholar, the library’s open-access publishing platform for Yale researchers. Any senior essay submitted to a Yale academic department during the 2023–24 academic year is eligible for consideration. Applications are due in early May.

The Diane Kaplan Memorial Senior Essay Prize is awarded for an essay based on research in any of Yale Library’s special collections. These include the Beinecke Library (including Manuscripts and Archives), Arts Library Special Collections, Divinity Library Special Collections, Lewis Walpole Library, Medical Historical Library, Music Library Special Collections, and the Yale Film Archive. Faculty and others may encourage students to apply, but students must submit the essays themselves. Review the Kaplan Prize submission guidelines and submit the essay by Monday, May 1.
The Harvey M. Applebaum ’59 Award is awarded to a senior essay that relies on materials from any of the government depository collections. These collections encompass government documents and information for Canada, the European Union, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the United Nations, and the United States. Essays may be submitted by the student author or a faculty advisor. Review the Applebaum Award submission guidelines and submit the essay by Wednesday, May 10.
The Library Map Prize is awarded for the best use of maps in a senior essay or its equivalent. Essays may be submitted by the student author or a faculty advisor. Review the Map Prize submission guidelines and submit the essay by Wednesday, May 10.