Distinguished Research Award
Eligibility and Nomination
The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall encourage Division Deans/Directors/Chairs to nominate excellent researchers for the Indiana University South Bend Distinguished Research Award. The criteria for "research and creative activities" listed in the "Faculty Promotions" section of the Indiana University Academic Handbook (2001, pp. 71-72) should be followed in defining research. Nomination of faculty for this award shall be an agenda item for the Academic Cabinet at the first meeting of each fall semester.
Any full-time Indiana University South Bend faculty member who has at least 8 years of experience as an active researcher/scholar is eligible. Faculty members can nominate themselves or they can be nominated by any administrator or other faculty member. The nomination shall be in the form of a letter that explains the rationale for nomination along with a brief (not more than 2-page) outline of the faculty member’s research contributions. There is no limit on the number of candidates that can be nominated from any school/college. Nominations are due to the Contracts and Grants Coordinator by November 1 of each year. A list of suggested materials and a timetable for research portfolio completion will be provided to the nominator from the Contracts and Grants Coordinator.
The nominator shall have primary responsibility for assembling the candidate’s research portfolio with the exception of inclusion of solicited letters of reference. It is acceptable for the nominee to participate in preparing the portfolio. Solicited letters are to be requested by the nominee’s Division Dean/Director/Chair. Once the letters are received, they are to be sent to the Contracts and Grants Coordinator for inclusion in the research portfolio. Solicited letters are to remain confidential to the degree allowed by law.
Selection Committee
The IUSB Research & Development Committee will serve as the Selection
Committee for the IUSB Distinguished Research Award. If a
current member of the R&D Committee is nominated for the Research Award
that member will not participate in the selection process. If necessary,
alternates to the committee will be appointed by the Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs for the purpose of selection.
Procedure
The following timetable is suggested for the award selection procedure:
1. Reminder to Academic Cabinet (September/October).
2. Nominations due to Contracts and Grants Coordinator (November 1)
3. Creation of research portfolio--the Contracts and Grants Coordinator shall be available for consultation as necessary (November 1-January 15).
4. Completed portfolio to Contracts and Grants Coordinator (January 16).
5. Initial review by the Review Committee to create a short list if necessary.
6. Recommendation made by Review Committee to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (March 1)
7. Award winner(s) shall be announced at the last Academic Senate meeting of the academic year.
8. Public lecture, performance, or exhibition (September)
Consideration in Subsequent Years: Any research
portfolios submitted for consideration for the IUSB Distinguished Research
Award that are not selected as a winner will automatically be considered again
the following year. The portfolio shall include additional documentation for
the second year. After being considered for two successive years, the faculty
member must be re-nominated to be considered again. Award winners shall not be
eligible for future awards.
The Award
The award will recognize distinguished research by IUSB faculty and administrators. The winner of the award will be expected to present a public lecture, exhibition, or performance at the beginning of the next academic year.
The winner will receive a monetary award of $5,000 (less appropriate fringe
benefits) as supplemental pay or in an IUSB account which can be used for
research related expenses.
Award Frequency
The Selection Committee shall consider nominations annually. The Selection
Committee shall have the right not to grant an award if none of the candidates
is deemed exceptional. The decisions of the Selection Committee are final and
not subject to appeal.
Outline for Portfolio Preparation
The Selection Committee needs sufficient information to document the excellence of the candidate’s research. Since candidates will come from different disciplines, the kinds of materials to be included in the portfolio will vary. It is especially important that nominators be aware that most committee members are likely to come from outside the candidate’s discipline. Therefore, the candidates work needs to be presented as clearly as possible, so that scholars in other fields can understand the candidates’ goals and accomplishments. Outside letters of support should show evidence of continued broad influence, breadth of impact on discipline, and continuing evidence should be addressed.
- Candidate’s curriculum vitae, including a list of grants, publications, performances, or exhibitions of creative works
- Representative publications or, where appropriate, such materials as slides and tapes.
- If appropriate, published reviews of work or other examples of its reception.
- A synopsis describing the research career and significant contributions to the discipline (including citations) of the candidate, characterizing the research completed and in progress. Provide a context in which a colleague from another field can understand the significance of the work. (maximum 5 pages)
- Solicited letters are to be requested by the nominee’s Division Dean/Director/Chair. Once the letters are received, they are to be sent to the Contracts and Grants Coordinator for inclusion in the research portfolio.
Criteria for Review
- Minimum of 8 years of research experience in discipline.
- Significant contribution to discipline.
- Significant publications or other means of dissemination.
- Exemplary reputation as a researcher/scholar/leader in discipline.
Last updated: 8/8/2005
URL: http://www.iusb.edu/~acadaff/awards/research.html
Comments: acadaff@iusb.edu
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