About Prizes in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Prize winnerThe awarding of prizes at Harvard dates back to the early days of the College. The Detur Book Prize, for example, was established from the bequest of Edward Hopkins, who came to America in 1637, and the Bowdoin Prizes have been esteemed rewards for essays in English, Latin, and Greek since 1791.

Prizes in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, which includes Harvard College and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, are given for academic excellence, outstanding individual qualities, or other achievements. They are also awarded for excellence in subjects as demonstrated by essays submitted directly for prize consideration, special examinations, or theses submitted to the departments. Although some prizes listed under Prize Descriptions have the word “scholarship” in their titles, they are not need based and are awarded as prizes. Further information about student prizes in the FAS can be found under General Information.

Need-based awards, scholarships, and certain fellowships may be awarded through the Office of Financial Aid, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, non-FAS Faculties, or individual academic departments. The Department of Athletics also recognizes the participation and achievement of individuals by the awarding of letters and prizes in a variety of sports. Information on athletic prizes can be obtained from the Department of Athletics. Some additional prizes are administered locally by departments and are not listed here.

Bowdoin Prizes

Submissions for the 2023–2024 undergraduate competition are now being accepted.

The deadline for Undergraduate Essays in the English Language is 11:59 p.m. on March 28, 2024.

The deadline for Undergraduate Essay in the Natural Sciences is 11:59 p.m. on April 4, 2024.

Hoopes Prize

Nominations for the 2023–2024 Hoopes Prize competition are now being accepted.

The deadline for faculty nominations is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

The deadline for student submissions is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Wendell Prize

For the 2023–2024 competition, all parts of the application were due by 11:59 p.m. on September 21, 2023.