The Penn Library and the Penn Humanities Forum jointly sponsor this annual essay contest, which is open to Penn undergraduate students in all schools.

The first-prize winner receives a $1500 award and the opportunity to present the winning essay in a special symposium held as part of the annual Undergraduate Humanities Forum research conference. Two Honorable Mention prizes of $500 each are also awarded.

The Forum's yearly research theme—Origins in 2007-08 and Change in 2008-09—inspires the essay topic, which directs students' talent and attention to broad issues of humanistic concern.