What is the Kelsey Prize?
Behind every archaeological object is a story—or many stories. Who created it and why? What challenge did it help address? How and when was it abandoned? Who found it? What did they think of this object? What new purpose does it now have?
The Kelsey Prize for Excellence in Archaeological Research and Interpretation invites University of Michigan undergraduate students to explore and discover the stories behind the objects at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. This competition is open to any undergraduate from any discipline at UM-Ann Arbor, UM-Dearborn, and UM-Flint. The projects that best demonstrate excellence in research and interpretation of the Kelsey Museum’s archaeological collections will be awarded a cash prize (up to four projects).
2023–2024 Kelsey Prize Winners
The Kelsey Prize winners for 2023–2024 are Erin Evans, a senior studying creative writing and literature in the Residential College and the Department of Film, Television, and Media, and Nicole Persad, a fourth-year student double-majoring in art/design and art history and minoring in entrepreneurship. Learn more about this year’s winners.
Interested in submitting a project for the Kelsey Prize competition?
Click here to learn more about the Kelsey Prize and read the competition guidelines.
