Research Faculty Awards

ELIGIBILITY
Research Full Professors at the University of Michigan with at least a 60% appointment are eligible. Faculty must be a member of the U-M community through the time the award is made at the annual Faculty Awards Ceremony and dinner hosted by the President in the fall. Tenured and tenure-track faculty are ineligible. Individuals within the award term of a previous Collegiate Research Professorship or Distinguished Research Scientist Award are ineligible. Nominations representing the full breadth of U-M research faculty are encouraged.

AWARD
The recipient will be awarded a stipend of $2,000 per year for the initial five-year renewable term of the professorship, provided the awardee remains employed at the University. The honor of the Collegiate Research Professorship is conferred at the annual Faculty Awards Ceremony and dinner hosted by the President each fall. One Collegiate Research Professor title may be renewed each year, however the stipend is not renewable past the first five years.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Significance of Research/Scholarship

• Addresses an important problem, advances fundamental knowledge, or bridges a critical gap.
• Explains why the research matters, both within the field and beyond.
• Identifies who benefits—or could benefit—from the work (e.g., academic communities, industries, policymakers, public audiences).
• Includes contributions to public engagement or broader societal impact, as appropriate.

2. Impact of Research/Scholarship

• Demonstrates tangible influence on concepts, methods, technologies, creative practices, or societal outcomes.
• Examples may include new learning opportunities, community research, mission-driven start-ups, innovations, patents, global collaborations, or policy engagement.

3. Research/Scholarly Innovation

• Presents novel concepts, approaches, collaborations, methods, instruments, interventions, or creative work.
• Highlights the originality, creativity, or groundbreaking nature of the research.

4. Championing Institutional Values and Public Mission

• Contributes to the values of the University of Michigan and advances its mission to serve the public good.
• Leads by creating research environments that expand opportunities and encourage people of all backgrounds and roles to contribute, innovate, and flourish.
• Nominators are encouraged to provide context about the nominee’s professional journey, including distance traveled or obstacles overcome, when relevant to understanding their accomplishments, resourcefulness, resilience, and future promise.

NOMINATION PROCESS

• One-page description of the qualities and accomplishments that make the individual a superior choice for the award.
• Nominee CV and a one-page personal statement from the nominee to support their nomination based on the criteria to be scored.
• At least three letters of support, including two from outside the University, from a range of individuals knowledgeable about the nominee’s work, that demonstrate the nominee’s significant contributions to their field.
• Upload the entire nomination packet as a single pdf.

Submit a nomination

ELIGIBILITY
U-M faculty with at least a 60% University appointment at the rank of Research Associate Professor, Research Scientist or Associate Research Scientist. Faculty must be a member of the U-M community through the time the award is made at the annual Faculty Awards Ceremony and dinner hosted by the President in the fall. Tenured and tenure-track faculty are ineligible for this award. Nominations representing the full breadth of U-M research faculty are encouraged.

AWARD
The recipient will be awarded $1,500 to be conferred at the annual Faculty Awards Ceremony and dinner hosted by the President each fall.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Significance of Research/Scholarship

• Addresses an important problem, advances fundamental knowledge, or bridges a critical gap.
• Explains why the research matters, both within the field and beyond.
• Identifies who benefits—or could benefit—from the work (e.g., academic communities, industries, policymakers, public audiences).
• Includes contributions to public engagement or broader societal impact, as appropriate.

2. Impact of Research/Scholarship

• Demonstrates tangible influence on concepts, methods, technologies, creative practices, or societal outcomes.
• Examples may include new learning opportunities, community research, mission-driven start-ups, innovations, patents, global collaborations, or policy engagement.

3. Research/Scholarly Innovation

• Presents novel concepts, approaches, collaborations, methods, instruments, interventions, or creative work.
• Highlights the originality, creativity, or groundbreaking nature of the research.

4. Championing Institutional Values and Public Mission

• Contributes to the values of the University of Michigan and advances its mission to serve the public good.
• Leads by creating research environments that expand opportunities and encourage people of all backgrounds and roles to contribute, innovate, and flourish.
• Nominators are encouraged to provide context about the nominee’s professional journey, including distance traveled or obstacles overcome, when relevant to understanding their accomplishments, resourcefulness, resilience, and future promise.

NOMINATION PROCESS

• One-page description of the qualities and accomplishments that make the individual a superior choice for the award.
• Nominee CV and a one-page personal statement from the nominee to support his/her nomination based on the criteria to be scored.
• At least three letters of support, including one from outside the University, from a range of individuals knowledgeable about the nominee’s work, that demonstrate the nominee’s significant contributions to their field.
• Upload the entire nomination packet as a single pdf.

Submit a nomination

ELIGIBILITY
U-M faculty with at least a 60% University appointment at the rank of Research Assistant Professor, Assistant Research Scientist, or Research Investigator. Faculty must be a member of the U-M community through the time the award is made at the annual Faculty Awards Ceremony and dinner hosted by the President in the fall. Tenured and tenure-track faculty are ineligible for this award. Nominations representing the full breadth of U-M research faculty are encouraged.

AWARD
The recipient will be awarded $1,500 to be conferred at the annual Faculty Awards Ceremony and dinner hosted by the President each fall.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Significance of Research/Scholarship

• Addresses an important problem, advances fundamental knowledge, or bridges a critical gap.
• Explains why the research matters, both within the field and beyond.
• Identifies who benefits—or could benefit—from the work (e.g., academic communities, industries, policymakers, public audiences).
• Includes contributions to public engagement or broader societal impact, as appropriate.

2. Impact of Research/Scholarship

• Demonstrates tangible influence on concepts, methods, technologies, creative practices, or societal outcomes.
• Examples may include new learning opportunities, community research, mission-driven start-ups, innovations, patents, global collaborations, or policy engagement.

3. Research/Scholarly Innovation

• Presents novel concepts, approaches, collaborations, methods, instruments, interventions, or creative work.
• Highlights the originality, creativity, or groundbreaking nature of the research.

4. Championing Institutional Values and Public Mission

• Contributes to the values of the University of Michigan and advances its mission to serve the public good.
• Leads by creating research environments that expand opportunities and encourage people of all backgrounds and roles to contribute, innovate, and flourish.
• Nominators are encouraged to provide context about the nominee’s professional journey, including distance traveled or obstacles overcome, when relevant to understanding their accomplishments, resourcefulness, resilience, and future promise.

NOMINATION PROCESS

• One-page description of the qualities and accomplishments that make the individual a superior choice for the award.
• Nominee CV and a one-page personal statement from the nominee to support his/her nomination based on the criteria to be scored.
• At least two and no more than three letters of support from a range of individuals knowledgeable about the nominee’s work, that demonstrate the nominee’s significant contributions to their field.
• Upload the entire nomination packet as a single pdf.

Submit a nomination

OVERVIEW

The University of Michigan Research Faculty Mentor Award recognizes outstanding research faculty who have demonstrated excellence in mentoring and guiding the careers of other faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as high school outreach programs. This award celebrates the crucial role that mentorship plays in the professional and personal development of emerging researchers and recognizes those who have made significant contributions to fostering a supportive and enriching academic environment.

ELIGIBILITY
U-M faculty with at least a 60% University appointment at the rank of Research Professor or Research Scientist, Research Associate Professor or Associate Research Scientist, Research Assistant Professor or Assistant Research Scientist, or Research Investigator. Faculty must be a member of the U-M community through the time the award is made at the President’s annual fall Faculty Awards Ceremony. Tenured and tenure-track faculty are ineligible for this award. Nominations representing the full breadth of U-M research faculty are encouraged.

AWARD
The recipient will be awarded $1,500 to be conferred at the annual Faculty Awards Ceremony and dinner hosted by the President each fall. 

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Mentorship Quality

• Demonstrated excellence in mentoring research faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and/or undergraduate students.
• Evidence of providing guidance, support, and fostering academic growth and career development.

2. Impact on Mentees

• Tangible outcomes of mentoring activities, such as the professional achievements of mentees, successful placements, or continued collaboration.

3. Inclusive Mentorship

• Efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment for mentees of all backgrounds.

4. Sustained Commitment

• Consistent and long-term involvement in direct mentorship as well as mentoring-related initiatives, workshops, or committees within the university or professional organizations.

NOMINATION PROCESS

• A detailed letter from the primary nominator (dean, chair, or senior colleague) describing the nominee’s mentoring activities, achievements, and impact on mentees. 
• At least two and no more than three letters of support from current or former mentees, colleagues, or supervisors, highlighting specific examples of mentorship and its outcomes. 
• Nominee CV and a one-page personal statement from the nominee to support their nomination.
• A list of mentees and their accomplishments, if applicable. 
• Upload the entire nomination packet as a single pdf.

Submit a nomination