Burns H. Weston International Human Rights Essay Prize
The UICHR sponsors the annual Burns H. Weston International Human Rights Essay Prize. Each year, two awards are available: one to an undergraduate and another to a graduate or professional school student. The prizes honor the work of students from across the state of Iowa and the lifetime work of the late Burns H. Weston, Professor of Law and a founder of the UI Center for Human Rights.
Awardees receive $750 (undergraduate) or $1000 (graduate or professional student). Federal financial aid regulations require that all financial aid, including awards and prizes, be included in total cost of attendance calculations. The Student Financial Aid Office will review each prize to determine any financial aid adjustments.
The 2026 application is closed. The 2027 application submission deadline is May 21, 2027.
Eligibility and Requirements:
Students at all colleges and universities in the State of Iowa are eligible to apply.
Undergraduate essays should be 10-15 pages in length; graduate essays 20-40 pages in length. Papers should be double-spaced and use a standard 12 pt. Times New Roman font.
Essays may address current events, history, law, public policy, or the arts and humanities. Essays do not need to be written exclusively for this competition — previously submitted work is welcome, including papers written for a class or conference within the past 12 months.
The only topical requirement is that the essay engage with a human rights issue (broadly conceived) and clearly explain how the subject relates to human rights. For example, a paper on mass incarceration should explicitly discuss why and how mass incarceration constitutes a human rights concern.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including but not limited to large language models, text generators, or AI-assisted writing platforms may be used for the purposes of initial brainstorming and final editing. The use of AI to develop the argument or to draft or substantively revise the essay is strictly prohibited.
The selection committee evaluates submissions using a rubric.
Student co-authored papers will be accepted if submitted by both authors. Faculty co-authored submissions are not eligible.
Essays must be accompanied by the application.
A faculty supervisor must recommend the submission of the essay by signing the application cover sheet or by emailing uichr@uiowa.edu by the deadline.
Self-nominations are expected. Students should submit the application cover page and the paper in a single document to uichr@uiowa.edu by the deadline. In the subject line, please indicate Weston Prize: Your Last Name.
A list of previous winners is available here.