Applications for 2026 are now open through July 15th, 2026. Please fill out our Global Application for Awards. You must have been a SAMLA member for at least one year to apply.
Each year, SAMLA is pleased to accept applications from outstanding graduate student presentations given at at the previous year’s conference. The award includes a $250 honorarium and publication in the South Atlantic Review. Submitting an application implies attendance at the annual conference, where the winner will be announced at our awards ceremony.
Applicants should submit work that is reflective of the presentation given at SAMLA 96. Essays should be between 8-13 pages, be edited for clarity and readability, and include a Works Cited page.
If you are a professor seeking to nominate the work of your student, please inform the student that they must fill out the Awards Application themselves should they be interested. We no longer accept applications submitted on behalf of someone else.
SAMLA 97 Award Winner
Harrison Betz
Florida State University
Graduate Student Award Essay Committee
Eddie Christie (2026) – Georgia State University
Christina Parker-Flynn (2027) – Florida State University
Troy E. Spier (2028) – Florida A&M University
Ren Denton (2029) – Georgia Southern University
If you are interested in committee service, please contact the SAMLA office at samla@gsu.edu.
