About

The annual UCSB Library Award for Undergraduate Research (LAUR) recognizes students who have produced a creative or scholarly work, including a research paper for class, that makes expert and sophisticated use of the collections, resources, and services of the UCSB Library. 

The award promotes and encourages intellectual discovery and the advancement of lifelong learning, and is open to all currently-enrolled undergraduate students at UCSB.

Library collections and resources for the purposes of this award can be broadly interpreted to include books, scholarly articles, primary sources and collections, research databases, maps, materials in all media, and more.

Library services can include library classes, workshops, consultations with librarians, Interlibrary Loan, DREAM Lab, Special Research Collections, Makerspace, Multimedia Studio, Media Lab, and more.

Award

First- and second-place prizes will be awarded in each of the three broad categories listed below. Winners receive $750 (1st place) and $500 (2nd place) and will be honored at an awards ceremony in June. Winners will also be invited to have their projects published in eScholarship, the University of California's open access repository.  

Submissions are accepted in each of the three broad categories below. 

  • Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Social Sciences
  • Science & Engineering

Important Dates 

  • March 31, 2025: Start date for accepting student submissions
  • April 17, 2025:  Student submission deadline 
  • April 21 - May 14, 2025:  Review period
  • May 15, 2025:  Winners announced
  • May 29, 2025:  Awards reception

Funding

The 2025 Library Award for Undergraduate Research is generously supported by a gift from Dr. Jenny Cook-Gumperz, faculty emerita.

If you're interested in supporting LAUR, please contact Heather Silva, Senior Director of Development (heathersilva@ucsb.edu, 805-893-5732).

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