The Chaplaincy Prize

This prize has been established through the generous donation of monies received through the University of St Andrews American Foundation.  Awarded each year, the prize will be open to all current students at the University of St Andrews and based around a particular theme for an original piece of creative work or essay.

The theme for the 2026-27 award is 'Creating Community'.

Prizes: 1st £250, 2nd £150, 3rd £50

This year’s theme reflects on community.  How do we move away from isolation to community, recognising what we share, what we hold in common – despite differences, or even disagreement?  How do we create or foster community among family, friends, faith, nature, society, internationally or in the community of creation?
 
What we are looking for is one of the following:

• An essay (750 words maximum)
• Poems, hymns, songs, or a short story  (750 words maximum)
• A focussed/practical project, which is documented and reported (750 words maximum).

It must:

• clearly reflect the theme of ‘Creating Community’
• contain a faith/spiritual element or show spiritual growth/change.

Other optional elements:
Your entry can include mixed media, such as photos/images (10 max) or video content (5 minutes max).
It can be a short report or piece of written work on something you have already been working on during your studies or over the summer break.

The winners will be decided by a committee formed from the Chaplaincy team who will assess applications and choose the prize-winners.

To enter, submit your entry directly by email attachment in either Word or PDF format, to chaplaincy@st-andrews.ac.uk, or in person to the Chaplaincy, Mansefield, 3 St Mary’s Place, St Andrews.

Closing date: 5pm on Friday 29 January 2027.