The Prizes Program at UC Berkeley is an important forum for rewarding creative expression and scholarly achievement by Berkeley’s finest students. Winners receive both recognition and a cash prize, which is coordinated with the winner’s financial aid package, if any.

Copies of the winning essays and poetry are archived at the Bancroft Library at the end of each year. Prize competitions are open to both undergraduate and graduate students of any major; a few competitions are for undergraduates only.

Prizes are administered under the direction of the Academic Senate Committee on Prizes.

Deadlines for most contests are from November through March. Please see the Prizes and Honors website for details about each prize, specific deadlines, and how to submit entries.