Frederick Douglass Prize
The Frederick Douglass Prize is a college-wide contest to select the best undergraduate research paper in the field of Black Studies. In May of each academic year, the winner will be awarded a $500 prize by the Frederick Douglass Institute and Department of Black Studies.
Eligibility
The competition is open to all undergraduates at the University of Rochester.
Deadline
The submission deadline is Monday April 21, 2025.
Research Topics
Essays must have a clear research focus in Black studies. All global fields within Black studies are welcome, including:
- African studies
- African American studies
- Afro-Latinx studies
- Caribbean studies
- Afro-European Studies
All academic disciplines are also welcome, such as history, literary studies, anthropology, public health, music, film and media studies, performance, art history, philosophy, and psychology. Interdisciplinary work is especially encouraged.
Essay Format
The essay must be a minimum of 8 pages (double spaced) and should not exceed 25 pages. The essay should be the result of the student's work in either fall 2024 or spring 2025. Only one essay per student per contest year may be submitted.
Faculty Sponsor
A faculty sponsor is required to review the student's essay, fill out a Faculty Sponsor Form, and write a separate letter of support.
Any interested professor may act as a faculty sponsor for a student who wishes to enter the essay contest. Faculty sponsors should only endorse thought-provoking, well-written essays that fall within the contest guidelines.
Submissions
Please email essays, Faculty Sponsor Forms, and support letters to matthew.omelsky@rochester.edu no later than Monday April 21, 2025.