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 Englad 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 have closed for the 2024-2025  academic year. Prize Book orders will reopen in early 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 presented by an officially recognized Club come with an official Harvard bookplate to record the names of the donor and award recipient. 


4. Order the book: Book selection and shipping information will become available in early 2026. Prize Book orders are eligible for free shipping in the continental U.S.

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.