Awards Overview
2026 Cycle Information:
- Nomination Deadline: December 1, 2025
- Nominee submission of CV and References: December 15, 2025
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Research Scholar Award - Emerging
The Emerging Research Scholar Award celebrates an assistant-level professor who is establishing a strong foundation for research and scholarship. Recipients of this award have begun to gain momentum in their scholarly trajectory and their work shows exceptional promise for future impact through their efforts toward building a national reputation.
Eligibility
Assistant-level professors (research or tenure series).
With a minimum of 2 years of continuous appointment at the 鶹.
Award Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate:Strong early indicators of high-quality scholarly or creative contributions.
Evidence of building a national reputation (e.g., books, publications, awards, citations, keynote invitations, leadership roles in scholarly societies).
A demonstrated commitment to mentoring, collaboration, and fostering research culture at DU, as evidenced by:
Mentoring undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral researchers in ways that support their academic and professional growth.
Engaging in interdisciplinary or cross-unit collaborations that strengthen DU’s research enterprise.
Contributing to the development of a vibrant scholarly community at DU (e.g., organizing symposia, leading research groups or centers, serving on grant review committees, building external partnerships that elevate DU research).
Promoting inclusive and supportive research environments that encourage diverse participation.
Nomination Materials
Requested from Nominator:
A letter of nomination (2 pages max) describing the nature and significance of the research impact.
Hyperlinks for up to three examples of products or outputs that illustrate the research impact (e.g., publications, reports, media coverage, patents, partnerships).
Requested from Nominee:
A current, abbreviated CV. (5-page limit)
Three points of contact (names and email addresses) for individuals who can provide a recommendation on your behalf. This should include a mix of internal and external colleagues.
Award
Awardees will be inducted into the “Academy of Distinguished Researchers” for a two-year term; honored at the New Centers and Institutes Reception; and featured in University communications.
One or more awards are intended to be presented annually, with recognition across the outlined categories.
It is up to the discretion of the awarding committee as to whether an award will be presented, and the number of awards to be presented in any given year.
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Research Scholar Award - Established
The Established Research Scholar Award recognizes an associate-level professor whose scholarship reflects significant achievement, growing influence, and continued promise for leadership in their field. Recipients of this award have advanced knowledge in their fields through a significant and influential body of work, and their scholarship has elevated their reputation nationally.
Eligibility
Associate-level professors (research or tenure series).
Who have held a minimum of 3 years of continuous employment at the 鶹.
Award Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate:A growing record of high-quality scholarly contributions.
Evidence of a national reputation (e.g., books, publications, awards, citations, keynote invitations, leadership roles in scholarly societies).
A demonstrated commitment to mentoring, collaboration, and fostering research culture at DU, as evidenced by:
Mentoring undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral researchers in ways that support their academic and professional growth.
Engaging in interdisciplinary or cross-unit collaborations that strengthen DU’s research enterprise.
Contributing to the development of a vibrant scholarly community at DU (e.g., organizing symposia, leading research groups or centers, serving on grant review committees, building external partnerships that elevate DU research).
Promoting inclusive and supportive research environments that encourage diverse participation.
Nomination Materials
Requested from Nominator:
A letter of nomination (2 pages max) describing the nature and significance of the research impact.
Hyperlinks for up to three examples of products or outputs that illustrate the research impact (e.g., publications, reports, media coverage, patents, partnerships).
Requested from Nominee:
A current, abbreviated CV. (5-page limit)
Three points of contact (names and email addresses) for individuals who can provide a recommendation on your behalf. This should include a mix of internal and external colleagues.
Award
Awardees will be inducted into the “Academy of Distinguished Researchers” for a four-year term; honored at the New Centers and Institutes Reception; and featured in University communications.
One or more awards are intended to be presented annually, with recognition across the outlined categories.
It is up to the discretion of the awarding committee as to whether an award will be presented, and the number of awards to be presented in any given year.
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Research Scholar Award - Eminent
The Eminent Research Scholar Award honors a full professor who has demonstrated sustained excellence and leadership in scholarly research over the course of a distinguished academic career. Recipients of this award have advanced knowledge in their fields through a significant and influential body of work, and their scholarship has elevated their reputation both nationally and internationally.
Eligibility
Full professors (research or tenure series).
With a minimum of 5 years of continuous employment at the 鶹.
Note: This award is not intended to recognize those who have already been named Distinguished University Professor.
Award Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate:A substantial and sustained record of scholarly contributions over time.
Evidence of a national and international reputation (e.g., books, publications, awards, citations, keynote invitations, leadership roles in scholarly societies).
A demonstrated commitment to mentoring, collaboration, and fostering research culture at DU, as evidenced by:
Mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and/or postdoctoral researchers in ways that support their academic and professional growth.
Engaging in interdisciplinary or cross-unit collaborations that strengthen DU’s research enterprise.
Contributing to the development of a vibrant scholarly community at DU (e.g., organizing symposia, leading research groups or centers, serving on grant review committees, building external partnerships that elevate DU research).
Promoting inclusive and supportive research environments that encourage diverse participation.
Nomination Materials
Requested from Nominator:
A letter of nomination (2-pages max) describing the nature and significance of the research impact.
Hyperlinks for up to three examples of products or outputs that illustrate the research impact (e.g., publications, reports, media coverage, patents, partnerships).
Requested from Nominee:
A current, abbreviated CV. (5-page limit)
Three points of contact (names and email addresses) for individuals who can provide a recommendation on your behalf. This should include a mix of internal and external colleagues.
Award
Awardees will be inducted into the “Academy of Distinguished Researchers” for a six-year term; honored at the New Centers and Institutes Reception; and featured in University communications.
One or more awards are intended to be presented annually, with recognition across the outlined categories.
It is up to the discretion of the awarding committee as to whether an award will be presented, and the number of awards to be presented in any given year.
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Creative Works Award
The Creative Works Award recognizes faculty whose work expectations include contributing/producingcreative work, including performances and via a range of media including those shared in screenings and exhibits, as well as books, poetry anthologies and other means through which written creative works are shared.
Recipients of this award exemplify DU’s commitmentto the fields of the performing and creative arts.Their work demonstrates how creative work can provide insight, challenge assumptions, elicit emotion, capture and elevate the human experience.
Eligibility
Open to all full-time faculty (any appointed series) at the 鶹.
Individual nominees may be faculty in any series or rank whose work expectations include the production of creative work. The presented award will specify the rank of the receiving individual (e.g. if the person is at the assistant level, they would receive the Emerging Creative Works Award; an associate-level professor would receive the Established Creative Works Award; and a faculty member of full professor rank would receive the Eminent Creative Works Award).
Nominees may represent a wide range of disciplines.
Note: This award is not intended to recognize those who have already been named Distinguished University Professor.
Award Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate excellence in creative work, which may include (but is not limited to):Publication of written creative work, including musical works, essays, poems and books;
Exhibits;
Performances and productions;
Screenings; and/or
Participation in prestigious artist in residence programs or related demonstrated support for creative achievements.
Nomination Materials
Requested from Nominator:
A letter of nomination (2-pages max) describing the nature and significance of the creative work.
Hyperlinks for up to three examples of products or outputs that illustrate the creative work (can include media coverage).
Requested from Nominee:
A current, abbreviated CV. (5-page limit)
Three points of contact (names and email addresses) for individuals who can provide a recommendation on your behalf.This should include a mix of internal and external colleagues.
Award
Awardees will be inducted into the “Academy of Distinguished Researchers” for a term that matches the career stage of the recipient; honored at the New Centers and Institutes Reception; and featured in University communications.
The intent is to present one award annually, with the recognition following the career stage of the recipient. If the recipient is an assistant level professor, the issued award would be the Emerging Creative Works Award with a two-year term in the Academy of Distinguished Researchers (Academy); an associate-level professor would receive the Established Creative Works Award with a four-year term in the Academy; and a faculty member of full professor rank would receive the Eminent Creative Works Award with a six-year term in the Academy.
It is up to the discretion of the awarding committee as to whether an award will be presented in any given year.
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RSCW Impact Award
The 鶹’s Research, Scholar, and Creative Works (RSCW) Impact Award recognizes faculty whose research or creative work has made a significant and demonstrable impact beyond the University. This award celebrates scholarship that contributes meaningfully to society—through performing and creative arts, policy influence, public engagement, innovation, practice-based application, or measurable change in communities or systems.
The award is designed to reflect the wide range of scholarly contributions at DU. Nominations are encouraged from across disciplines and will be reviewed with the following scholarship categories in mind:
Creative Works / Creative & Performance Scholars
(e.g. visual and performing arts, creative writing, public exhibitions)Humanities Methods Scholars
(e.g. art history, English, history, philosophy, religious studies)Scientific Methods / STEM Scholars
(e.g. engineering, life sciences, physical sciences, computational research)Social Science Methods / Social-Behavioral Scientific Scholars
(e.g. psychology, sociology, political science, international studies)Synthesis - Writing Projects / Professional Schools Scholars
(e.g. legal scholarship, business thought leadership, integrative or translational research, including from international studies or policy schools)Team Impact
(Collaborative groups whose interdisciplinary or cross-sector work has generated demonstrable public benefit or applied influence)
Eligibility
Open to all full-time faculty (all appointed series) at the 鶹.
Nominations may be submitted for individual faculty or collaborative teams.
Team nominations must include at least two faculty members and may also recognize contributions from staff, students, or community partners where appropriate. At least one faculty member must be in a full-time academic role.
Nominees should have a body of work that shows sustained impact and reach within or beyond their academic field.
Award Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:Research or creative activity that has informed public policy, law, business practice, or community development.
Creative or scholarly work that has shaped public discourse, cultural understanding, or access to the arts.
Work that has produced measurable or documented benefits for communities—locally, nationally, or globally.
Broad dissemination of findings to non-academic audiences (e.g., through public scholarship, media, partnerships, exhibitions).
Nomination Materials
Requested from Nominator:
A letter of nomination (2 pages max) describing the nature and significance of the translational impact.
Hyperlinks for up to three examples of products or outputs that illustrate the translational impact (e.g., publications, reports, performances, media coverage, patents, exhibitions, partnerships).
Requested from Nominee:
A current, abbreviated CV. (5-page limit)
Three points of contact (names and email addresses) for individuals who can provide a recommendation on your behalf. This should include a mix of internal and external colleagues.
Award
One or more awards are intended to be presented annually, with recognition across the outlined categories.
It is up to the discretion of the awarding committee as to whether an award will be presented, and the number of awards to be presented in any given year.
Awardees will be honored at the New Centers and Institutes Reception and featured in University communications.
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Translational Impact Award
The 鶹’s Translational Impact Award recognizes faculty whose scholarly work bridges the gap between discovery and application. This award celebrates research, creative work, and innovation that moves beyond theory to directly inform practice, shape policy, foster commercialization, and create measurable impact in communities, industries, professions, or public life.
Recipients of this award exemplify DU’s commitment to knowledge in action. Their work demonstrates how academic insight can drive innovation, improve systems, and translate into solutions for real-world challenges—locally, nationally, or globally.
This includes efforts in technology transfer, commercialization, and the development of marketable innovations that bring DU research into the marketplace, foster entrepreneurial activity, and generate societal benefit.
Eligibility
Open to all full-time faculty (any appointed series) at the 鶹.
Individual and team nominations are welcome. For team submissions, at least one faculty member must be in a full-time academic role.
Nominees may represent a wide range of disciplines and translational pathways, including STEM, social sciences, the arts, law, policy, education, and professional practice.
Award Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate excellence in translating academic research into applied impact, which may include (but is not limited to):Commercialization and Innovation: Advancing intellectual property, technology transfer, product development, or startup activity based on academic research.
Clinical or Educational Implementation: Applying findings to improve services, interventions, or curricula in professional practice.
Policy and Systems Change: Shaping policy, law, governance, or institutional practices based on research insight.
Community-Based Application: Developing and sustaining partnerships that apply research to address community-identified needs.
Public and Professional Engagement: Extending scholarship through accessible, actionable formats to inform broader audiences or stakeholder groups.
Nomination Materials
Requested from Nominator:
A letter of nomination (2 pages max) describing the nature and significance of the translational impact.
Hyperlinks for up to three examples of products or outputs that illustrate the translational impact (e.g., publications, reports, performances, media coverage, patents, exhibitions, partnerships).
Requested from Nominee:
A current, abbreviated CV. (5-page limit)
Three points of contact (names and email addresses) for individuals who can provide a recommendation on your behalf. This should include a mix of internal and external colleagues.
Award
One or more awards are intended to be presented annually, with recognition across the outlined categories.
It is up to the discretion of the awarding committee as to whether an award will be presented, and the number of awards to be presented in any given year.
Awardees will be honored at the New Centers and Institutes Reception and featured in University communications.
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Mentoring Impact Award
The Mentoring Impact Award honors faculty who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the scholarly, professional, and personal growth of graduate students. Recipients of this award go beyond traditional advising to foster inclusive, supportive, and intellectually rich relationships that empower students to succeed as researchers, professionals, and engaged citizens.
At the 鶹, faculty mentorship is central to graduate education—shaping the quality of student research, guiding thesis and dissertation development, and opening pathways for career success. This award celebrates faculty whose mentorship creates lasting impact, not only advancing individual student achievement but also strengthening DU’s culture of research, collaboration, and discovery.
Eligibility
Open to all full-time faculty (any appointed series) at the 鶹.
Nominees must have a sustained record of mentoring graduate students (master’s or doctoral level).
Individual and team nominations are welcome.
Award Criteria
Strong nominees will demonstrate:A consistent and meaningful record of mentoring graduate students in research, creative activity, or professional practice.
Commitment to student success, including support for degree completion, research dissemination, funding applications, or career readiness.
Inclusive and student-centered mentoring practices that foster belonging, intellectual engagement, and confidence.
Evidence of mentee success (e.g., books, publications, exhibitions, performances, creative works, presentations, awards, and post-graduate placement), with optional inclusion of training grant documentation.
Contribution to a culture of graduate student mentorship within the department, college, or university.
Nomination Materials
Requested from Nominator:
Letter of nomination (max 2 pages) outlining the nominee’s mentoring approach, practices, and impact on graduate student development.
Requested from Nominee:
A current, abbreviated CV. (5-page limit)
Three former graduate students (names and email addresses) for recommendations on your behalf.
Award
One or more awards are intended to be presented annually, with recognition across the outlined categories.
It is up to the discretion of the awarding committee as to whether an award will be presented, and the number of awards to be presented in any given year.
Recipients will receive a monetary award and be recognized at the Provost’s Faculty Recognition Reception and in university communications.
Self-nominations are encouraged, as are nominations from colleagues, chairs, or deans.
A faculty member may be considered for only one award per cycle. If a faculty member is nominated for multiple awards in the same cycle, we will reach out to the nominee for guidance on which award they would prefer for consideration.
Nominations that are not selected will remain active for two additional award cycles and will automatically be reconsidered. However, updated materials may be submitted to strengthen a continuing nomination.
Additional Information can be found within our FAQ section.