Le Guin Feminist Science Fiction Research Award

The Le Guin Feminist Science Fiction Research Award enables research within collections in the area of feminist science fiction. Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) houses the papers of key feminist science fiction authors, including Ursula K. Le Guin, Vonda McIntyre, Joanna Russ, James Tiptree, Jr., Kate Wilhelm, Suzette Haden Elgin, Sally Miller Gearhart, Kate Elliot, Molly Gloss, Laurie Marks, and Jessica Salmonson. 

Award Description

This $3,000 award supports research on, and work with, the papers of feminist science fiction authors housed in SCUA. These short-term research awards are open to undergraduates, master’s and doctoral students, postdoctoral scholars, college and university faculty at every rank, and independent scholars working in feminist science fiction. The award selection committee will include representatives from the UO Libraries SCUA and selected UO faculty. Award recipients should be aware that, depending on their status and country of origin, the US government may consider their award taxable income. It is recommended that awardees familiarize themselves with their tax status and take necessary steps to plan for and pay any potential fees.

Application Requirements

In addition to completing the award application form, applicants are asked to submit: 

  • A curriculum vitae or resume 
  • Project proposal 
  • 1-2 paragraph project summary describing your project and its significance to your work, discipline, and/or community 
  • A statement detailing what SCUA materials you are planning on examining, their importance for the project, and how the award will assist in supporting the project (maximum two pages)
  • Two references, to be contacted if applicant is a finalist

Award Recipients Will

  • Complete their research at the University of Oregon within a year of award notification
  • Present a 10-15 minute lecture as part of SCUA's virtual Annual Research Awards Panel
  • Submit a copy of their final project or publication to SCUA
  • Acknowledge the Le Guin Feminist Science Fiction Research Award and its sponsor, SCUA, in all publications resulting from the research award

Applications are currently closed and will reopen in summer of 2026. 

Applicants awarded funding will be notified by late March of the application year. 

Le Guin Award Winners

  • 2013: Kathryn Allan
  • 2014 (dual awards): Jennifer Rea and Andrew Ferguson
  • 2015: Adrienne Maree Brown
  • 2016: Jed Samer
  • 2017: Theodora Goss
  • 2018: Alexandra Pollak
  • 2019: Shelley Streeby
  • 2020: R.B. Lemberg
  • 2021: Joan Lubin
  • 2022: Anna Ialeggio   
  • 2023 (dual awards): Marissa Greenberg and Tp Coughlin     
  • 2024: (dual awards): Sarah Nolan-Brueck and Taylor Driggers
  • 2025: Sam Tegtmeyer
  • 2026: Maiwenn-Iman Zekri-Le Garff