Writing Contests & Awards

University Writing offers several contests and awards for Auburn University faculty and students. All winners will be honored at the annual University Writing Awards Ceremony. Student winners will receive engraved trophies and cash prizes.

For Faculty

University Writing Committee (UWC) Award for Excellence in Writing Instruction for Academic Programs

The University Writing Committee’s (UWC) Award for Excellence in Writing Instruction honors academic programs (undergraduate majors) and their faculty who have demonstrated sustained and successful efforts over the past five years to integrate evidence-based pedagogical practices across an undergraduate major. One award of $20,000 will be given to an academic program to use for faculty professional development. These funds are unrestricted, but the UWC encourages programs to use the money to support writing-focused guest speakers, conference attendance, or research projects. See the call for applications for more information.

For Students

Sustainability Essay Contest

Each year, University Writing and the Academic Sustainability Program seek submissions for the Outstanding Sustainability Essay Award. This award recognizes exceptional student writing in prose with a focus on sustainability. The Fall 2025 contest deadline has passed.

Selection Criteria

Submissions are evaluated by a committee based on:

Relevance to the prompt.
Reflection on the integrated and holistic nature of sustainability, i.e., the four parts of the sustainability compass (nature, wellbeing, society, economy).
Use of supporting details, coherent organization, and compelling writing style that reinforce the essay’s message.

Recognition of Award Winners

Winners are honored at the University Writing Awards Ceremony. Each winner will be awarded a cash prize and a trophy. Selected authors will be invited to publish their essays in a special issue of the Auburn Sustainability Blog.