Owen D. Young Prize in International Relations
Established in 1958
Description. The Owen D. Young Prize in International Relations is awarded for the best essay dealing with some aspect of international relations. A minimum of 4,000 words is required with a maximum word limit of 5,000 words. Open to undergraduates only. For complete information, read the General Rules.
Prize Amounts. $1,200 is awarded at the discretion of the judge. Federal financial aid regulations require that all awards received by a student can not exceed their financial aid need as determined by a congressional formula. It is possible, therefore, that the cash award for a prize could reduce some component of a needy student’s package of financial aid awards. In these cases, the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office attempts first to reduce loan or work aid; fellowships, grants, or scholarships are only reduced as a last resort.
Deadline. Submissions must be hand-delivered by the author to the Undergraduate Scholarships, Prizes, and Honors Office, 220 Sproul Hall, no later than 4 p.m on December 1. The author's name must not appear on the entry.
History of the Prize. From the Regents' Minutes of October 10, 1933: "Mr. Owen D. Young delivered the Charter Day Address in Berkeley on March 24, 1930, returned to the Regents his honorarium as such speaker and in addition donated the sum of $250. This was intended to be used for three prizes...to undergraduate students registered in the colleges at Berkeley...who offered the best three essays on the topic, 'What can a college student do to further good understanding among the nations and thereby promote peace?' Mr. Young, on June 2, 1931, [amended] the conditions of this...contest, [whereby] the remainder of his donation, to wit, $900, be set up as a permanent fund, the income therefrom to be devoted to an annual prize for the best essay on some aspect of international relations. The Committee on Prizes is authorized to change the topic of the essay from time to time as they may see fit to do so."
2010-11: 11 entries; Lauren Benichou ($1,500)
2009-10: 6 entries; Kenneth Tsang ($1,500)
2008-09: 2 entries; Timothy Barry ($1,500)
2007-08: 8 entries; The judge decided that no essay was worthy of a prize
2006-07: 5 entries; Ben Narodick ($1,200)
2005-06: 10 entries; Helen Hsueh ($1,200)
2004-05: 11 entries; Not awarded
2003-04: 8 entries; Miya Keren ($500)
2002-03: 8 entries; Jeff Lindemyer ($500)
2001-02: 2 entries; Albert Ofrecio ($500)
2000-01: 3 entries; Not awarded
1999-00: 4 entries; winner Daniel Ho ($500)
1998-99: 6 entries; winner Christopher Maier ($500)
1997-98: 0 entries