The Undergraduate Awards were established in October 2008 to recognise and reward the island of Ireland’s most innovative young knowledge creators, to catalyse the development of the brightest undergraduates, and to inspire all undergraduates to achieve. The awards are open to undergraduates across Ireland’s universities, colleges and institutes of technology. Submissions are drawn from the outstanding papers, essays and projects produced as a normal part of course work during each academic year. Our values of impartiality, inclusiveness and active facilitation guide our operations and strategic direction.

In its inaugural academic year (08/09) 1,598 essays were submitted, exceeding the year one target of 1,500. The first awards ceremony took place on 20^th October, 2009 in the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) with guest of honour, President Mary McAleese. Thirty-three students were recognised for their outstanding coursework.

The Undergraduate Awards aim to enhance Ireland’s prospects of becoming a leading global knowledge economy by creating an entirely new and unique set of incentives and rewards for undergraduates, through academic and corporate recognition and employment opportunities.