Bowdoin Prizes for Graduate Students

Any candidate for a higher degree from Harvard University who holds a bachelor’s degree and who has been in residence at Harvard University since the beginning of the academic year may compete for these prizes. (For further information about eligibility, see FAQ 3.)

The 2026–2027 Bowdoin Prize graduate competition will open on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

Graduate Essays in the English Language (Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on December 3, 2026)

Graduate Essay in the Natural Sciences (Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on December 10, 2026)

Graduate Composition in Greek

Graduate Composition in Latin

Important information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions about the Bowdoin Prizes for Graduate Students (click the link). Applicants are encouraged to read all of the questions and answers.