Class of 2026 invited to submit senior essays for library prizes by April 13 and April 29
Yale Library is accepting entries for three library prizes awarded each year for outstanding senior essays. Any senior essay submitted to a Yale academic department during the 2025–26 academic year is eligible. The library may announce more than one winner for any of the prizes, based on the quality of submissions.
Prizewinners receive a $500 award, which is presented during Commencement ceremonies at the recipient’s residential college. Winning essays are published on Eli Scholar, the library’s open-access publishing platform for Yale researchers.
The Diane Kaplan Memorial Senior Essay Prize
The Diane Kaplan Memorial Senior Essay Prize is awarded for an essay based on research in any of Yale Library’s special collections. These include the collections in Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library (including Manuscripts and Archives), Haas Family Arts Library, Divinity Library, Lewis Walpole Library, Medical Historical Library, Music Library, and the Yale Film Archive.
Faculty and others may encourage students to apply, but students must apply themselves by Mon., April 13, 11:59 p.m, EDT.
Review the Kaplan Prize submission guidelines and instructions. Submit through Interfolio. Read previous award-winning Kaplan Prize essays.
The Library Map Prize
The Library Map Prize is awarded for the best use of maps in a senior essay or an equivalent type of essay. The student or a faculty advisor must submit the essay by Wed., April 29, 11:59 p.m., EDT.
Review the Map Prize submission guidelines. Submit through EliScholar. Read previous award-winning Library Map Prize essays.
The Harvey M. Applebaum ’59 Award
The Harvey M. Applebaum ’59 Award is conferred on a Yale College senior for an outstanding essay based on research that has substantial use of government information, including documents or data. Qualifying government information can be from the local state, national, or international level.
The student or a faculty advisor must submit the essay by Wed., April 29, 11:59 p.m., EDT.
Review the Applebaum Award submission guidelines. Submit through EliScholar. Read previous award-winning Applebaum Award essays.
Read about last year’s 12 recipients of these Yale Library prizes and the topics of their award-winning senior essays.
—Deborah Cannarella
