University Research Committee (URC)
Distinguished Scholarly &
Creative Research Awards

Award Recipients

Distinguished Scholarly & Creative Research Award Recipients (1965-Present)

Instructions to Applicants

The Distinguished Scholarly and Creative Research Awards were established as a means of recognizing University of Utah tenure track faculty members in all disciplines who have made significant scholarly contributions to their fields. No more than three awards are made for the following academic year and consists of a grant of $10,000 to pursue research or creative pursuits.

Selection is made on the basis of the significance and quality of research or creative achievements. The award recognizes lifelong accomplishments by considering the extent to which they represent a major breakthrough or advance in the field, are intellectually distinctive or creative, and contribute to improvement and enrichment in the human condition. Recognition of one’s work by experts of national and international reputation is an indicator of its importance; hence, evaluations from outside the University are also considered. Only tenure track faculty are eligible to receive this award. Nominations may be made by any faculty member, department, or college within the University. The deadline for nominations is November 2, 2009, by 5:00 PM.

Nominees will be grouped into one of three categories based upon discipline: (A) Colleges of Science, Engineering, Medicine, Health, Nursing, Pharmacy, Mines and Earth Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Graduate School of Social Work. (B) College of Fine Arts, College of Architecture and Planning, and Creative Writing in the College of Humanities. (C) Colleges of Business, Humanities, Law, and Graduate School of Education. A subcommittee consisting of a core of URC faculty members and ad hoc faculty members with expertise in particular fields will judge nominees in each category.

The following material should be submitted in support of the professor’s nomination:

  1. A letter of nomination from the faculty member, department, or college making the nomination, should summarize the nominee’s relevant accomplishments, with particular attention to such questions as the impact of the nominee’s contributions on his/her chosen field, evidence of originality and creativity, and probable long-range significance of his/her work. Descriptions of the nominee’s work should be written so as to be understood by informed scholars outside of the nominee’s field. Nominations can be sent in paper copy form or electronically e-mailed to VPRgrants@utah.edu with the subject line "DSCRA Nomination."
  2. An electronic copy of the nominee's curriculum vita should be sent in conjunction with the nomination letter to VPRgrants@utah.edu.
  3. Up to six final candidates will be selected from the initial nominations, and external recommendation letters will be solicited for these finalists.
  4. The faculty member making the nomination should solicit letters of recommendation from five recognized experts in the field who are familiar with the nominee's work. Obviously the opinions of nationally and internationally recognized experts are most persuasive. Letters are to be received by the Vice President for Research Office no later than January 4, 2010. A list of these experts and a short statement as to their qualifications (or a copy of their bibliography from a source such as "American Men and Women of Science") would be helpful to the committee.

*Letters of recommendation are to be sent to the University Research Committee, Vice President for Research Office, University of Utah, 201 S Presidents Circle, Rm. 210, Salt lake City, Utah 84112-9011.