The Student Research Award is given yearly to the students with best academic research paper (or video) of original research with a clear, arguable thesis that is well-supported by scholarly sources. Other criteria:

• There is no required length or topic for the paper award; research proposals and creative writing are not accepted.
• Film submissions that represent substantial academic research with a clear thesis and scholarly sources are accepted.
• All applications must include a faculty sponsor. The faculty sponsors are intended to guide students through this event, helping in the revising of papers before submission. Faculty sponsors should review the appropriate rubric with students before submission.

Started in 2016 by the Lynn Library Staff, and formerly known as the Library Student Research Award, in 2019 the award became part of the Lynn Student Symposium and was renamed the Student Research Award.

From 2016-2018 - and then again in 2022 due to COVID - winners were celebrated at the Library's annual Published Faculty Reception (now known as the Academic and Creative Excellence Reception). Winners are now celebrated at the Lynn Student Research Symposium.