Research Awards, Essay Prizes, & Scholarships

Students pursuing any major in any college are welcome to apply. All applications are reviewed by this year’s scholarship and awards review team. If you are awarded a Research Award or Essay Prize, a research component utilizing materials from Special Collections is required.

Research Award Deadlines

To learn more about the 2025-2026 academic year deadlines for USF Libraries scholarships and research awards, please visit this site after it reopens in December 2024.

Research Awards

Award recipients must conduct research using the Tampa Library’s Special Collections to receive their prize. To submit a research proposal, select the award that you’re interested in below and click the Apply button.

Meet our previous student awardee, Abigale Brown.

  • Annually awarded research award to full or part-time USF student
  • Must be on the Tampa campus
  • Must submit an essay about how you will be incorporating LGBT materials into your studies

Meet our previous student awardee, Jordan Norris-Gaither.

  • Annually awarded research award to full or part-time USF student
  • Must be undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior; or graduate student
  • Must be on the Tampa campus
  • Must submit an essay describing proposed research project and how Special Collections are crucial to your research needs

Meet our previous student awardee, Jonathan Rodriguez.

  • To be used to visit USF Libraries for research
  • Annual research award for students anywhere working towards a MA or PhD
  • Those using unique research resources at USF will be prioritized
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must submit an essay about the nature of your study and how the specific resources in the USF Libraries Florida Studies collections are crucial to your research interests

Essay Prizes

The Leland Hawes undergraduate and graduate essay prizes are awarded to students who submit the best overall essay on a Florida Studies topic. To submit an essay, select either the Undergraduate Student Essay Prize or the Graduate Student Essay Prize below and click the Apply button.

  • Annually awarded essay prize to full or part-time undergraduate students
  • Essay subjects must cover Florida Studies ranging from Florida’s pre-colonial past through the 21st century (topics dealing with the Tampa Bay region are encouraged)
  • Cover letter required

Submission deadline: May 1

  • Annually awarded essay prize to full or part-time graduate students working towards a MA or PhD
  • Essay subjects must cover Florida Studies ranging from Florida’s pre-colonial past through the 21st century (topics dealing with the Tampa Bay region are encouraged)
  • Cover letter required

Submission deadline: May 1

Scholarships

Apply for scholarships through USF AwardSpring at usf.edu/financial-aid/scholarships. The portal automatically populates the scholarships you are eligible for. NOTICE! Please apply for the Tampa Chapter of the Links Inc. scholarship below, as it is not listed in AwardSpring.

The Tampa Chapter of the Links Inc. is a chapter of the national African American women’s service organization. The Links Inc. Collection in Special Collections includes the club’s archives including scrapbooks, photographs, meeting minutes, and more that document their service to the community.

  • Annually awarded to full-time undergraduate students
  • Open to students pursuing all majors, in all colleges, on the Tampa campus
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Must submit a 300-word essay describing how they would utilize the Links Archives and History Collection in their studies. Preference for a student who is actively engaged in the African American community and/or the USF Institute on Black Life.

  • Annually awarded scholarship to full or part-time USF student
  • Must be a USF Library staff member (including Federal Work Study or a student employee)
  • Must be on the Tampa campus
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Can be freshman, sophomore or junior
  • Must submit an essay describing how you have successfully integrated library resources into your course of study

The Altrusa Club of Tampa Bay Inc. is a chapter of the national women’s service organization. The Altrusa Collection in Special Collections includes the club’s archives including scrapbooks, photographs, meeting minutes, and more that document their service to the community.

  • Annually awarded scholarship to full or part-time USF student
  • All academic levels, pursuing all majors, in all colleges, can apply
  • Must be on the Tampa campus
  • Must have at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Must submit an essay stating how you’ll use the Altrusa Collection for research purposes in your field of study

Armenian Studies at the University of South Florida is in recognition of Professor Manoug Manougian’s dedication to the program.

  • Annually awarded scholarship to full or part-time USF student
  • Can be on any USF campus
  • Must submit an essay about your interest in Armenian culture

  • Annually awarded scholarship to full or part-time USF student with financial need
  • Must be on the Tampa campus
  • Applicant must complete a FAFSA
  • Must submit an essay about your goals and aspirations in your academic endeavors

The John Ogden Coral Reef Collection consists of over 30 years of data and field work from USF integrative biology professor emeritus, Dr. John Ogden’s research excursions. The collection is comprised of field diaries and notes, illustrations, maps, charts and photographs of reef, seagrass and mangrove habitats that support a wide range of marine species.

  • Annually awarded scholarship to full or part-time USF student
  • Based on merit with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a preference for financial need
  • Must write an essay describing how you will utilize the Dr. John Ogden Coral Reef Collection in your studies