Research Staff Awards Program
Research Staff awards are open to all (non-OVPR, with the exception of the OVPR Exceptional Staff Recognition Award and the OVPR Staff Leadership Award) regular non-faculty staff members employed by any unit of the University of Michigan’s three campuses. Students, tenured/tenure track, clinical track, and research track faculty are not eligible for these awards.
Awardees receive a personal honorarium of $1,000 and an award.
View a list of past recipients of the OVPR Staff Recognition Awards.

The 2023 Research Staff Recognition Awards Program to celebrate the outstanding service provided by University of Michigan research staff, and to honor this year’s recipients will take place May 24, 3:30 pm at University Hall, Alexander G. Ruthven Building.
Research Leadership Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The Research Leadership Recognition Award is open to those with primary responsibilities in supervising research centers, institutes, laboratory programs, or multiple teams in research.
Example Positions:
- Center Managers
- Managing Directors of Centers or Institutes
- Laboratory Managers
- Program Managers
OVPR Research Leadership Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The OVPR Research Leadership Recognition Award is open to those who work within OVPR with the primary responsibilities in leading teams to safeguard, support, or catalyze research.
Example Positions:
- Managers or Supervisors in OVPR
- Managing Directors of Centers or Institutes in OVPR
- Administrative Directors / Associate Directors in OVPR
- Staff in OVPR who have demonstrated exceptional leadership with their team
OVPR Exceptional Staff Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The OVPR Exceptional Staff Award is open to all OVPR staff who promote excellence in their work or in their research projects and teams.
Example Positions:
Any OVPR staff. Up to two awards may be given each year to recognize staff both in support/compliance roles and in research staff roles.
Research Study Coordinator/Manager Staff Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The Research Study Coordinator/Manager Staff Recognition Award is open to those with responsibility in supervising teams conducting a research project.
Example Positions:
- Study Coordinators
- Project Managers
Research Associate/Assistant/Technician Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The Research Technical Staff Recognition Award is open to those who are involved in the practice of research or in support of faculty who are performing research.
Example Positions:
- Research Technicians
- Research Associates/Assistants
Research Data Management and Analysis Staff Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The Research Data Management and Analysis Staff Recognition Award is open to those with primary responsibilities being to perform data management and analysis on research projects.
Example Positions:
- Data Managers
- Staff Statisticians
- Programmers
- Data Analysts
Research Support Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The Research Support Recognition Award is open to those with primary responsibilities in supporting and facilitating the successful planning and implementation of research.
Example Positions:
- Research Development
- Administrative Professionals
- Librarians
- Museum curators or support staff
Research Cores/Facilities Staff Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The Research Cores/Facilities Staff Recognition Award is open to those with primary responsibilities in core services or facilities services supporting the research.
Example Positions:
- Research Cores Staff
- Facilities Staff
Research Administration Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The Research Administrator Recognition Award is open to those with primary responsibilities in research administration.
Example Positions:
- Research administrators
- Research administration
Outstanding New Research Administration Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The Research Administrator Recognition Award is open to those with primary responsibilities in research administration for less than 2 years.
Example Positions:
- Research administrators
- Research administration
(Less than 2 years in the role)
Research Staff Safeguard Recognition Award
Eligibility:
The Research Staff Safeguard Award is open to those staff who promote and ensure compliance in their research projects and teams.
Example Positions: Any