Call for submissions: 2024 Oswald Research and Creativity Competition

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 8, 2024) — The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research is accepting submissions for the 60th annual Oswald Research and Creativity Competition.

Founded in 1964 by then UK President John Oswald, the competition promotes undergraduate research across all disciplines and highlights the diverse creativity and scholarship of UK undergraduates.

Participants can choose a submission category that best fits their project from the following seven options:

• Biological Sciences 

• Design (architecture, landscape architecture and interior design) 

• Fine Arts (film, music, painting, sculpture and video) 

• Humanities: Creative 

• Humanities: Critical Research 

• Physical and Engineering Sciences 

• Social Sciences 

Submissions in the design and fine arts categories will be exhibited at the Lucille Caudill Little Fine Arts Library from Nov. 4-8.

Eligibility

Full-time or part-time current UK undergraduates are encouraged to submit their work.

Students may submit multiple projects across various categories, but they may only enter one project per category (e.g., a report in biological sciences and a photo project in fine arts).

Selection, recognition and awards

Entries will be anonymously evaluated by faculty reviewers in relevant fields, based on a set rubric. Judging criteria include originality, clarity of expression, scholarly or artistic contribution and the overall validity, scope and depth of the project. To view previous winning submissions, click here.

Fourteen cash awards will be distributed, with first-place winners receiving $350, second-place winners $200 and honorable mentions as applicable. Awards will be announced during a special ceremony, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in the Lucille Caudill Little Fine Arts Library.

The deadline for entries is Oct. 28. View more details on the competition and access the submission form here.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.