Prizes and Awards

Political science students are eligible for the following prizes and awards. Except for the Edwin Robbins Fellowship and the Phyllis Stevens Sharp Fellowship, students do not play an active part in the nomination process. Instead, faculty members nominate students at their own discretion.

Charles A. Beard Prize

A cash prize, awarded every year to the student who writes the best paper in political science during the academic year.

Caroline Phelps Stokes Prize

A cash prize, established at the bequest of Caroline Phelps Stokes, is awarded to a student who has been a degree candidate at Columbia College or Barnard College for at least one academic year, and who has written the best essay in course or seminar work on the general subject of the rights of man.

Alan J. Willen Memorial Prize

A cash prize, awarded to the Columbia College student who writes the best seminar paper on a contemporary American political problem.

Edwin Robbins Academic Research/Public Service Fellowship

The Robbins Fellowship provides a stipend each summer for at least two Columbia College political science students who will be engaged in research in important matters of politics or policymaking, or who will be working, without other compensation, as "interns" in a governmental office, agency, or other "public service organization." Please note that graduating seniors are not eligible for this fellowship.

Phyllis Stevens Sharp Fellowship in American Politics

The Phyllis Stevens Sharp Endowment Fund provides stipends each year during the summer for one or more Columbia College or School of General Studies students majoring or concentrating in political science to support research in American politics or policymaking or otherwise uncompensated internships in a government office, agency or other organization serving the public. Please note that graduating seniors are not eligible for this fellowship.