Harvard Prize Book Program

Award Harvard Prize Books to outstanding high school students. In recognizing their scholastic and personal achievements, you inspire their future academic studies and introduce them to the opportunities available at Harvard.

The Harvard Prize Book program originally started in 1910 with alumni awarding a few books to students in the New England area. Donated by Harvard Clubs, Prize Books are now presented annually in more than 1,000 high schools around the world. Prize Books may be awarded to students in a high school(s) of the Club's choosing. Recipients are exemplary students in the next-to-graduating high school class who display excellence in scholarship and achievement in nonacademic fields. Outstanding high school teachers who inspire curiosity and excellence in their students can also receive the award.

The Prize Book is often presented at the chosen school’s award or graduation ceremony, sometimes with appropriate remarks by a local alum.

 
Prize Book orders are open! Place your order through the Harvard Coop by April 30, 2026.  

How To Participate

1. Establish a Prize Book award: A Harvard Club need only contribute the cost of one book.

2. Select a school: Prize Books may be awarded to students in the next-to-graduating class in a high school of the Club's choosing. Contact the local high school principal and/or guidance counselor to introduce the program and to arrange for a student to be selected by the high school to receive the award.

3. Choose a book: A list of book titles is available through the Harvard Coop, although Clubs may choose other books not on this list. All books ordered through the Coop come with an official Harvard bookplate to record the names of the donor and award recipient. 

4. Order the book: Click on images of the book to learn more about each title. Place your order directly through the Harvard Coop - Prize Book page. Shipping and ordering details can be found below.

                    The Harvard Book                                                                                       Harvard A-Z                                          Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier                                                   $29                                                                                                                 $25                                                                                                                    $29                                                        

Shipping & Ordering:

• Harvard Book Prize books are eligible for free shipping in the continental U.S.

  • If other items are included in your Coop order of Harvard Prize Book(s), applicable shipping fees will be applied.  

  • If shipping to multiple addresses in the continental U.S., contact Corissa Williams at cwilliams@thecoop.com. A fee of $4.95 per address will be applied.

• International shipments are based on current U.S. Postal rates and air charges. To place an international order, contact Corissa Williams at cwilliams@thecoop.com.

• All orders must be placed before April 30, 2026. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. 

• If you have any other questions regarding ordering or shipping, contact Corissa Williams at  cwilliams@thecoop.com. 

Resources and Sample Materials

View timelines, sample award language, and download Prize Book Certificates (requires HarvardKey login). Learn more.

Award Guidelines

• The Harvard Prize Book Program is only available to Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) Clubs. HAA Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) and Contacts are not eligible to participate in the program.

• Prize Books are awarded without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or political beliefs.

• It is at the discretion of the secondary school to determine the recipient of a Prize Book. Selection cannot be done through an application process.

• The Harvard Prize Book Program is not offered in New York City.