About
The UCSB Library Award for Undergraduate Research (LAUR) recognizes students who have produced a creative or scholarly work that makes expert and sophisticated use of the collections, resources, and services of the UCSB Library.
The award is presented annually and is open to all currently-enrolled undergraduate students at UCSB.
Submissions are accepted in each of the three broad categories below:
- Humanities & Fine Arts
- Social Sciences
- Science & Engineering
Award
First- and second-place prizes will be awarded in each of the three broad categories listed below. Winners receive $750 (1st place) and $500 (2nd place) and will be honored at an awards ceremony at the end of spring quarter.
Winners are invited to have their projects published in eScholarship, the University of California's open access repository.
Winners will also have a professional photoshoot organized by the Library.
Important Dates
- Monday, March 30, 2026: Start date for accepting student submissions
- Thursday, April 16, 2026: Student submission deadline
- April 20 - May 11, 2026: Review period
- Tuesday, May 12, 2026: Winners announced
- Friday, May 15, 2026: Portraits taken
- Wednesday, May 27, 2026: Awards reception
Funding
The 2025 Library Award for Undergraduate Research is generously supported by a gift from Dr. Jenny Cook-Gumperz, faculty emerita.
If you're interested in supporting LAUR, please contact Jessica Law, Associate Director of Development (jessicamlaw@ucsb.edu, 805-893-2801).
