Princeton Prize in Race Relations

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations is an awards program for high school students who lead and organize efforts to improve race relations within their schools or communities. The Prize was founded in 2003 to support and encourage young activists committed to improving race relations.

Who should apply for the Princeton Prize in Race Relations?

We encourage applications from any current 9th-12th grade student who, in the past 12 months, has organized and played a leadership role in a volunteer effort that has positively impacted race relations in his or her school or community. Students from our 27 geographic regions are eligible to win the Princeton Prize; students from other regions will be considered for Certificates of Accomplishment.

What is the application process?

Students must complete and submit (online or by mail) Part I of the application form, available at pprize.princeton.edu/apply. Part II of the application must be submitted by the student's sponsor. Sponsors may be any adult, not related to the student, who is familiar with the activity being put forth for the award. Sponsors can include teachers, advisors, community leaders, or religious leaders. Applications must be received by January 31.

What types of activities qualify for recognition?

Here are two examples:

A) Perceiving the need for his school's curriculum to reflect increasing student diversity, a high school senior worked with faculty members in the social studies and history departments to develop a new course to be taught to fellow students, "Diversity in America."

B) Recognizing that students of color are under-represented in technology, this student created a program that encouraged students of color to learn coding alongside other students. Finding common ground in a shared interest resulted in better understanding while creating more robust opportunities for all.