Paul H. McCarthy Award

Individual undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines at the University of Alaska are eligible and invited to apply for an award of $2,500 to support their research using the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives (APRCA) at the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library. One award is available annually.

All student research using materials housed in the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives will be considered. One individual award is available per project. The awardee will be expected to present to the public on their research at an event hosted virtually or in person by the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library.

Preference will be given to research that supports a larger project. In the past, research proposals for projects such as a journal article, thesis chapter, short film, research guide, or art project have been submitted. Other types of projects will also be considered. Although the award does not guarantee inclusion of the resulting project in our library collections, the outcome should support the student's personal educational goals.

The purpose of the award is to facilitate access to the unique physical collections held by the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives. Applications that highlight the need to access specific APRCA collections will be given preference. While travel to the UAF campus can be facilitated by the award, the necessity of travel will not be used as a criteria for selection. Students from all campuses taking a minimum of six credits are encouraged to apply.

Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives staff will support the research experience of the awardee. At this time, group projects will not be considered.

Questions regarding this research award should be directed to Rachel Cohen, Head of the Distinctive Print Collections & Archives- Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives, at rcohen7@alaska.edu.

Deadline to apply is November 2, 2025 by 11:59pm.