The Renaissance Studies Certificate Program (RSCP) offers an annual award of  $300.00 for an essay on a Renaissance or Early Modern-topic written by a  student at the CUNY Graduate Center.
The purpose of the prize is to encourage future Renaissance scholarship by recognizing scholarly promise in a doctoral student. Funds for the  award have been provided by the Renaissance Society of America (RSA), whose offices are located at The Graduate Center.
To be eligible, students must 1) be matriculated in a Ph.D. program at  the CUNY Graduate Center at the time of writing and submission of the essay; 2) be working towards a Ph.D. in the Renaissance or Early Modern  period (1350-1700); 3) be registered in the Renaissance Studies Certificate Program*; and 4) be a current member of the Renaissance Society of America**.   Not eligible are previous winners of the Prize.  The essay must be written in English and must deal with a topic within the chronological period 1350-1700. Submissions should be 15-30 pages in length, double-spaced.  The essay may be a seminar paper or  part of a dissertation. Submissions for the Prize must be approved by a CUNY doctoral faculty member who has taught at least one Ph.D. course in the Renaissance at the Graduate Center.
Essays will be judged on the following criteria: 1) potential contribution to Renaissance or Early Modern scholarship; 2) originality of  insight and research; 3) clarity and eloquence; 4) effectiveness of  documentation.
For the 2015/2016 academic year, four (4) copies of the essay must be delivered to the Certificate Programs Office (Room 5110) or postmarked by or on FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016. Each entry should be labeled “Graduate Student Essay Prize in Renaissance and Early Modern Studies” and should include one (1) copy of the application form.
Essays will be judged by a panel of three CUNY faculty members. The winner will be announced at the beginning of the fall semester 2016.
* Registration forms for the RSCP are available in the program office, Room 5110.
** For RSA membership, applications are available at www.rsa.org or in Room 5400.