Student Essay Contest
The Student Essay Contest by the Association for Women in Mathematics invites students to write biographical essays about women and underrepresented gender identities in mathematics based on interviews.
Funder: Association for Women in Mathematics
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (submission opens) | February 2027 (final deadline)
Funding Amounts: Monetary prizes, AWM memberships, and certificates for winners and honorable mentions; one Grand Prize, First Place in each category, and up to 3 Honorable Mentions per category.
Summary: Annual essay contest for students to highlight the contributions of women and underrepresented gender identities in mathematics through biographical essays based on interviews.
Key Information: Forecasted dates—verify on the program page as timelines may shift.
Description
The Student Essay Contest, sponsored by the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) in partnership with Math for America, is an annual competition designed to increase awareness of the contributions of women and individuals from underrepresented gender identities in the mathematical sciences. The contest invites middle school, high school, and undergraduate students worldwide to submit biographical essays based on interviews with contemporary mathematicians or statisticians. Through this process, the contest fosters greater awareness of gender inclusivity and the diverse career paths available in mathematics, while encouraging students to engage directly with role models in the field.
