Award descriptions

star confetti with text "congratulations"

Undergraduate class prizes

The Department of Philosophy awards up to three essay prizes (gold, silver, and bronze) annually.

In order to qualify for the undergraduate essay prize, the paper must have been submitted by an undergraduate student in a Philosophy course. Length and topic are open.

Graduate class prizes

The Department of Philosophy awards up to three prizes (gold, silver, and bronze) annually.

In order to be eligible for the graduate essay prize, the paper must have been submitted in 2020 by a student in a Philosophy graduate program, either as part of a course, as part of a research area, or as part of the student’s dissertation research. Length and topic are open.

Contact Ashely Price for more information.

Angus Kerr-Lawson prize

Award description: 

A prize, with a value of at least $500, will be awarded annually to a graduate or undergraduate student registered full time in any program at the University of Waterloo.  Selection will be based on the submission of the best essay in American Philosophy or Philosophical Naturalism, with a preference for essays bearing on the work of Jorge Santayana. 

Professors should submit student essays drawn from University of Waterloo courses, research areas, or dissertations that the professors teach or supervise in response to a call for nominations form the Department of Philosophy, which will be made each year during the Winter term. 

This fund is made possible by a donation from the Hall and Kerr-Lawson families in memory of Angus Kerr-Lawson.

Contact Student Awards & Financial Aid for more information.

Lawrence Haworth Prize in Philosophy

Award description: 

A prize, valued at $2,000, will be awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student who are majors and minors in the Department of Philosophy (Philosophy and Gender & Social Justice).

Selection will be based on excellence in writing as demonstrated in an essay related to the theme of Public Philosophy. No application is required. Faculty in the Department of Philosophy will submit student work in the Winter term for adjudication.

This fund is made possible by a donation from Michael Mitias in honour of Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Lawrence Haworth.

Contact Student Awards & Financial Aid for more information.

Shamim Mapara Philosophy Scholarship

Award description: 

One or more scholarships, valued at $2,000 each, will be awarded annually to one or more full-time undergraduate students enrolled in Year Three or Four in the Department of Philosophy.

Selection is based on academic excellence (minimum 80% cumulative average) combined with coursework in multidisciplinary studies which demonstrates the student’s holistic approach to learning.

Interested students should submit an online application. This scholarship has been established by a donation from Nina Mapara (BSc ’94, BA ’96) in honour of her mother.

Application details:

  • Complete the applicable term Undergraduate Award Application
    • At this time we are only accepting applications for awards with a Spring deadline (May - August) or a Fall deadline (September - December)
    • The application for awards with deadlines in a future term will be available by the start of that term – please check back later.
    • Complete a separate application for each award you wish to be considered for.
    • Access the form on our Undergraduate Studies Forms page.

Contact Student Awards & Financial Aid for more information.