Nominations now being accepted for University Scholarly Achievement Award

LAWRENCE — The Office of the Chancellor is now accepting nominations for the University Scholarly Achievement Award, which is a marquee award for the University of Kansas and a way to recognize standout researchers who embody KU's mission to make discoveries that change the world.

Each year, KU recognizes up to four midcareer faculty members as recipients of a University Scholarly Achievement Award. This $10,000 award recognizes a significant scholarly or research contribution, creative work (an exhibition, performance, composition, article or book, or major collaborative project) or a series of closely related contributions. This award covers all fields of scholarship represented at KU, including, but not limited to, arts, humanities, architecture and design, music, mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, medicine, clinical science, pharmacy, social sciences, social welfare, education, journalism, law, and business.

The deadline for submission of nominations is Dec. 13.

Selection Process

All nominations will be evaluated by a panel of eight individuals, representing the following areas:

• Arts and Humanities
• Science, Technology and Mathematics
• Medicine and Clinical Science
• Social Science and Professional Programs

Members of the selection panel are appointed by the chancellor. The panel may recommend up to four awards each year, depending on the number of meritorious nominations. 

Criteria

These contributions will be evaluated using the criteria below:

• Advances the field of scholarship;
• Exhibits novelty and originality;
• Promotes scholarly and research activity or creative works at KU; and
• Enhances the university’s national and international reputation.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration, the faculty member must hold the rank of associate professor or full professor; be within 10 years of appointment as an associate professor at the time of the current nomination; must have completed three academic years at KU; and must not have received a prior major KU award for this body of work.

Nomination Process

Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by others. Departments may nominate more than one individual for the award.

A complete nomination should include the following:

• Documentation of the scholarly or research contribution, or creative work, as appropriate for the discipline (e.g., articles, books, creative products);
• A letter of nomination of no more than 750 words explaining in terms comprehensible to an educated layperson how the contribution meets the award criteria;
• Curriculum vita; and
• Two reference letters (at least one from outside KU) from individuals who are qualified to comment on the merits of the scholarly contribution (send directly to the address below).

Nominations and reference letters should be sent to:

Office of the Chancellor
ATTN: Scholarly Achievement Award Committee
1450 Jayhawk Boulevard
Room 230 Strong Hall
Lawrence, KS 66045

Nominations can also be sent electronically to kuchancellor@ku.edu with “Scholarly Achievement Award” in the subject line.

Nominations that were not successful last year may be resubmitted, if the nominee continues to meet the award criteria.

Schedule

• Oct. 1: solicitation of nominations
• Dec. 13: deadline for submission of nominations and letters of support
• Jan. 10, 2020: nominations and letters of support provided to panel members
• March 1, 2020:  panel conveys its recommendations to the chancellor
• April: awards ceremony.

This information is available online at the University Scholarly Achievement Awards.