Patricia and Peter Shannon Wilson Undergraduate Research Prize at University of Toronto 2026

The Patricia and Peter Shannon Wilson Undergraduate Research Prize is awarded to current undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Toronto during each academic year.

The purpose of the prize is to recognize students who use information and library resources in thoughtful, creative, and effective ways. 

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineFebruary 15, 2026
• Value$1,000
• Study LevelUndergraduate
• SponsorUniversity of Toronto
• City to studyToronto
• School to studyUniversity of Toronto
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

Each year, up to six prizes of $1,000 each are available.

Requirements

You can apply if:
You are a first-entry undergraduate student (enrolled in a program that does not require a previous degree). This includes:

• Arts & Science
• Applied Science & Engineering
• Architecture
• Kinesiology & Physical Education
• Music
• Transitional Year Program
• University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
• University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)*
  • UTSC students: You can apply to either this prize or the UTSC Undergraduate Research Prize — not both.
• You completed an assignment for a U of T course (listed in ACORN) during Summer 2025, Fall 2025, or Winter 2026.
• You may apply as a full-time or part-time student.
• Group projects are welcome — the prize will be split equally among members.

You cannot apply if:

• Your project was completed outside of a course (e.g., independent research).

Check also:
Free Ongoing Fully Funded Scholarships Guide 2026 (Download Now)

Application Deadline

February 15, 2026

How To Apply

Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to University of Toronto on forms.office.com to apply

Follow these steps to make sure your application is complete, eligible, and submitted on time. This step-by-step process also answers common questions about the application process.

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility 

You can apply if:
You are a first-entry undergraduate student (enrolled in a program that does not require a previous degree). This includes:

• Arts & Science
• Applied Science & Engineering
• Architecture
• Kinesiology & Physical Education
• Music
• Transitional Year Program
• University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
• University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)*
  • UTSC students: You can apply to either this prize or the UTSC Undergraduate Research Prize — not both.
• You completed an assignment for a U of T course (listed in ACORN) during Summer 2025, Fall 2025, or Winter 2026.
• You may apply as a full-time or part-time student.
• Group projects are welcome — the prize will be split equally among members.

You cannot apply if:

• Your project was completed outside of a course (e.g., independent research).

Step 2: Understand the judging criteria 

Winners are selected by a committee of librarians and professors based on:

• Effective and innovative use of information sources (e.g., primary sources, data analysis, GIS tools, technical standards, library workshops, special collections).
• The quality and depth of your reflective statement.
• The overall quality of your research process.

There is no minimum or maximum project length. Judges focus more on your process than the final product.

You may also wish to review the evaluation rubric that is used by the prize judges.

Step 3: Connect with your instructor early

• Let your instructor know you plan to apply and that you must have a letter of support from the instructor who taught the course. Applications without this letter will not be considered.
• Share the Information for Instructors guidelines (listed in the information box below) so they know what to include.
• Let them know that you will upload their letter as part of your application. Once you do, the system will automatically email your instructor to confirm that they wrote the letter. Applications without this confirmation will not be considered.
• Confirm that they are able to provide their letter to you before the deadline of Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Step 4: Write your reflective essay

• Your essay should be no more than 1,000 words.
• This is the most important part of your application — it’s what judges focus on the most.
• In your essay, explain:
  • How you found and used information for your assignment
  • What you learned through the research process
  • Any creative or thoughtful approaches you used
• Make it personal, thoughtful, and honest.

You may wish to review past winners' reflective essays. You may review all past winners reflections and assignments on TSpace, the University of Toronto's research repository. These can help you understand what a strong, successful submission looks like. 

For more details, visit University of Toronto Scholarship webpage