Prizes and Awards

Students jumping

Spirit of Princeton Award​​​​​​

Since its inception in 1995, The Spirit of Princeton Award has recognized a select group of undergraduate students for their positive contributions to various facets of the University, including the arts, community service, student organizations, residential living, religious life and athletic endeavors. 

  • Eligibility All undergraduate students are eligible to receive a Spirit of Princeton award and any member of the Princeton community can nominate or contribute to a nomination.
  • Prizes Recipients receive a certificate, book prize, and are honored at a dinner at the end of the spring semester.
  • Selection Committee A committee comprised of undergraduate students and administrators from departments throughout Campus Life review all nominations and select the recipients.

Santos-Dumont Prize for Innovation

The Alberto Santos-Dumont Prize for Innovation recognizes individuals and groups who have imagined and implemented unique and creative programs, events, initiatives, and projects that have had wide-reaching impact, visibility, and serve to strengthen the undergraduate student experience.

In the spirit of the award's namesake (an innovator who showed that flight was possible), nominations are encouraged to highlight the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit found on Princeton's campus within the past academic year.

  • Eligibility Any student, group of students, or student organization may be nominated to receive the award.
  • Selection Committee Each spring, a committee will convene to determine the recipients of that year's prize.

Nominations for the 2017 Spirit of Princeton Awards are now closed.

Nominate a Student

Nominations serve as the primary criteria for evaluation. Particular emphasis is placed on the breadth and depth of the nominee's contributions to areas of campus life. 

  • As this letter of nomination serves as the committee's primary criteria for evaluation, please be as detailed as possible and use specific examples.
  • Highlighting the student’s involvement can only help the review committee clearly understand the student’s impact on the University and in the surrounding community.
  • Recognize any student who informally makes a significant contribution (e.g., mentoring, bridging social connections, volunteering).
  • Feedback from other sources may also be included in your letter. This can include anecdotes from fellow students, administrators, department representatives, and/or other faculty members.