Louis Kampf Writing Prize

Please consider submitting your academic essays or creative writing (creative nonfiction, short stories, poetry, etc...) to the Louis Kampf Writing Prize in Women's and Gender Studies.

The $500 prize, sponsored by The Program in Women's and Gender Studies (WGS), was started in 1995–96 to honor Louis Kampf, distinguished professor emeritus of Literature and Women's Studies, and to reward high quality undergraduate writing in women's and gender studies. The Prize is judged by faculty from WGS. It also includes a luncheon with committee faculty and a guest of your choosing.

MIT students can submit entries in different genres of academic writing as well as fiction and poetry. Submissions should provide thoughtful reflection using gender as a central category of analysis.

All entries must be submitted online.

Due date: April 10, 2026.

Questions concerning the requirements for entries should be directed to wgs@mit.edu.

2025 Kampf Prize Winners

Fatima Nasir Abbasi: “Lajwanti”

Reyna Ayala: “On Old Maids”

Helen Elaine Lee Undergraduate Prize

Faculty and Lecturers will provide commentary about WGS majors and minors directly to the WGS Program Office. Select members of the WGS Steering Committee will use reports to select a winner. Recipients will receive a $500 monetary prize. WGS reserves the right not to award this prize when criteria are not adequately fulfilled

Eligibility

  • Student must be a rising or graduating senior at MIT. Students who graduated in in the previous fall semester or February are eligible.

  • Student must be registered as a WGS major or minor.

  • Professors should submit commentary based on the following:

    • Contributions to class through discussion, presentations, or written work.

    • Contributions to MIT campus or broader community that support mission of WGS.

    • Anything else that distinguishes this student.

Due date: April 14, 2026

Ruth Perry Leadership Prize

Faculty and Lecturers will provide submit nominations directly to the WGS Program Office. Select members of the WGS Steering Committee will use reports to select a winner. Recipients will receive a $500 monetary prize. WGS reserves the right not to award this prize when criteria are not adequately fulfilled.

Eligibility

  • Student must be an MIT graduate or undergraduate student. Students who graduated in in the previous fall semester or February are eligible.

  • Professors should submit commentary based on the following:

    • Leadership and taking initiative in class, on campus, or greater community that support mission of WGS.

    • Commitment to incorporating gender analysis to scholarly, campus, or community work

    • Anything else that distinguishes this student

Nominations due by April 14, 2026.