Oswald Research and Creativity Competition

Any current UK undergraduate (full- or part-time) who does not already have a four-year degree is eligible for this competition and is invited to submit papers and other projects. 

Students have the option of submitting multiple projects in different categories, but can only submit a single project in one category (e.g. report in Biological Sciences and photo project in Fine Arts).

Call for Submissions: September 14, 2026

Submission Deadline: October 28, 2026

• NOTE: Every entry must include an Abstract (300 words maximum)
• Students can submit different projects in multiple categories (e.g., painting in Fine Arts, poem in Humanities: Creative, etc)

Design+Fine Arts Display: November 9-12, 2026

• Project Drop-off: Monday, Nov. 9, in the Schools of Arts & Visual Studies (SAVS) Lobby. Project drop-off is from 8:30 - 11:30 AM.

• Project Pick-up: Friday, Nov. 14, in the Schools of Arts & Visual Studies (SAVS) Lobby. Project pick-up is from 9 AM - 11 AM.

• Blind judging takes place during the week

Student Awards Reception: Nov. 12, 2026; 4:30 - 6 PM

• Schools of Arts & Visual Studies (SAVS) Lobby. Students are encouraged to take their artworks with them following the awards reception.

• Winners will be announced

• Meet the Student Researchers, Artists, and Designers

REGISTRATION OPENS SEPT. 14

Displays (video, art, audio, structural designs, etc.) in the Design and Fine Arts categories must include a description, to be included in the registration form. Write something that accurately describes your work and that you would be proud to show the public. Descriptions should consist of an overview of the project and any other descriptive and/or discussion materials the author feels are warranted.

Note: Students are responsible for providing all display props and materials (e.g., dress form).  We will provide easels, small tables, and hanging materials (e.g., Command hooks)

A registration form must be submitted in order for the submission to be included for judging. 

Students can submit different projects in multiple categories (e.g., painting in Fine Arts, poem in Humanities: Creative, etc.)​

NOTE: Every entry must include an Abstract (300 words maximum). Abstracts should:

1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project.
2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrates its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry.
3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology.
4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed.
5. Include text only (no images or graphics)
6. Be well-written and well-organized. 

Design and Fine Arts submissions will be exhibited in the UK School of Visual Arts and Studies (SAVS) Lobby the week of November 9-12, 2026.

• Student projects will be displayed in the lobby of the UK School of Visual Arts and Studies.  
• Students can submit ONE project in multiple categories (e.g., painting in Fine Arts, a poem in Humanities: Creative, etc.)
• Project Drop-off is Monday, Nov. 9, in the SAVS Lobby (follow the signs). Project drop-off is from 9 - 11 AM.
• Project pick-up is Friday, November 13, from 9 AM - 11 AM in the SAVS Lobby, although students are encouraged to take their art pieces with them following the Awards Ceremony and Reception on Thursday, November 12.
• Blind judging takes place during the week

*Names and any other identifying information must be removed from the displays for judging purposes.

The Oswald Competition is meant to promote creativity at its highest level. As such, the submission guidelines are very brief and intended not to restrict authors in any way. Our office encourages all submissions.

REGISTRATION OPENS SEPT. 14

TEXTUAL CATEGORIES

• Biological Sciences

• Fine Arts (music  / non-performance)

• Humanities: Creative

• Humanities: Critical Research

  • Branches of the humanities include law, languages, philosophy, religion and mythology, international relations, gender and women's studies, multicultural and regional studies, popular culture, and art and music

• Physical and Engineering Sciences

• Social Sciences

  • Branches of social sciences include sociology, anthropology, archeology, geography, political science (including politics and government), psychology, communication studies, criminal justice, demographics, library and information science, and economics.

Textual submissions (written papers) should include:

• Abstract (300 words maximum)

• Introduction, body, conclusion (or discussion), and citations and/or notes

• There is a 10-page limit on the length, since all submissions will undergo a thorough review and judging process

  • NOTE: Any submissions that exceed the page limit will be disqualified from the competition

  • Cover page and references do NOT count towards the 10-page limit.

• Names and any other identifying information must be removed from the uploaded submission for judging purposes. Submissions that include any identifying information will NOT be accepted.

NOTE: All textual categories require a full written report. Abstracts and posters will not be accepted as submissions.

NOTE: Students can submit different projects in multiple categories (e.g. painting in Fine Arts, poem in Humanities: Creative, etc)​

Projects must be submitted via the online registration form. Please include an Abstract (300 word maximum) in the registration form. It is important to write something that accurately describes your work and that you would be proud to show the public. 

Abstracts should:

1.   Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. 

2.   Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrate its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry. 

3.   Provide a brief description of the research methodology. 

4.   State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. 

5.   Include text only (no images or graphics)

6.   Be well-written and well-organized. 

​​The Oswald Competition is meant to promote creativity at it's highest level. As such, the submission guidelines are very brief and intended not to restrict authors in any way. Our office encourages any and all submissions.