Navigation
Search

Library Research Awards

FODL Undergraduate Research Awards Contest

The purpose of this competition is to encourage undergraduate student research and engagement with Drake Memorial Library staff and the rich array of resources and information Drake Library makes available.

  • First Place: $1000
  • Second Place: $500
  • Third Place: $250

Submission Timeline

Contest submissions may be submitted from November 15, 2025 through February 18, 2026. Prizes awarded in April 2026.

Submission Requirements

All applications for the research writing competition must include a library resources statement describing your research process. This statement is more important than the research paper because it is the larger portion of the application that is evaluated.

Research Paper Requirements

  • The paper should be a Microsoft Word document and formatted to meet accessibility guidelines.
  • The contest is open to SUNY Brockport matriculated undergraduate students enrolled any time during 2025, who completed papers during that time frame.
  • Papers written for any classes in all subjects are eligible for the research competition. It is not necessary to write a paper specifically for this competition.
  • Papers must be well-written, grammatically correct and at least 9 pages, but no more that 20 pages in length (not including the cover page, reference or works cited page, or library resources statement).
  • It must include at least 10 references or works cited. Any use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT must be appropriately acknowledged and cited.
  • Previous winners are not eligible to submit new papers.

Library Resources Statement

All applications for the research writing competition must include a library resources statement describing your research process. Please include this statement as a separate file when you upload your submission.

  1. Describe how you started your research and how you chose your topic. Did you use any specific library or information resources? Did you consult with any librarians, faculty, or other staff?
  2. Describe how you found the information for this project. While information sources are not limited to library resources, it is essential to describe how the library was important to this process.
    • Did you consult with any librarians or library staff?
    • What databases did you use to locate articles? Try to be as specific as you can, going beyond Ebsco to databases like JSTOR or ScienceDirect.
    • What type of search strategies did you use to locate the information? This can include websites and other information resources.
    • Did you use any specific sources in the library?
    • What library services did you use?
  3. Describe how you evaluated the resources you found. How did you narrow your sources from ones you consulted to the ones that are included in your research paper?

Submit Your Paper

Questions?

Please contact the librarians (askdrake@brockport.edu)  if you have any questions regarding this contest.

Previous Winners