2027 Nomination Snapshot

• Nominations Open: Monday, October 12, 2026
• Nominations Deadline: Wednesday, February 3, 2027
• Submission Email: [email protected]
• College Nomination Cap: Up to two (2) candidates
• Monetary Award: $4,000 per recipient

Overview

The Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award and membership in the Research Leadership Academy (RLA) are intended to recognize NC State’s leading scholars and faculty mentors.

The Award vs. The Academy

Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award

• Recognition: A $4,000 monetary award honoring exceptional contributions to research, innovation, and faculty development at NC State.
• Expectation: Awardees are expected to participate in and contribute to the advancement of scholarship within the university community.

Research Leadership Academy (RLA)

• Role: The faculty-driven center for research leadership and faculty mentoring, charged with supporting the growth, mentorship, and success of NC State’s research faculty.
• Membership: Lifetime association (while at NC State), requiring a minimum 3-year active service commitment to lead campus-wide mentoring initiatives, education programs, and interdisciplinary seminars.

Core Goals of the RLA

Members of the RLA actively work across campus to:

• Encourage a strong culture of faculty-to-faculty mentoring.
• Empower faculty for long-term career and research success.
• Advance an intellectual, multidisciplinary research community.
• Promote best administrative and research practices throughout NC State.

Eligibility and Nomination Quotas

Who is Eligible?

All NC State faculty members, including active tenured, tenure-track, professional-track and administrators, are eligible for nomination.

Nomination Quotas

To ensure a balanced and competitive selection process across the university, candidate submissions are capped at up to two (2) nominations per cycle for each college, the Provost’s Office, and the Office of Research and Innovation.

Selection Criteria

The review committee evaluates candidates across three core pillars. A successful nomination package demonstrates clear evidence of impact and achivement in each area:

1. Excellence in Discovery and Innovation

• Advances in Knowledge: Evidence of substantial advances in knowledge or interpretation of knowledge.
• Intellectual Creativity: Intellectual creativity and new insights in one (1) or more disciplines.
• Peer Recognition: Peer recognition of contributions in one (1) or more disciplines.
• Societal Impact: Positive impact on society.

2. Excellence in Mentoring

• Junior Faculty Development: Actively working toward the success and promotion of junior faculty through mentorship and counseling.
• Research Opportunities: Creation of and/or sharing knowledge about research opportunities.
• Mentee Engagement: Facilitating the involvement of mentees in research projects.
• Scholarly Role Model: Serving as a role model by maintaining excellence in scholarship.

3. Service to the NC State Research Community

• Internal Collaborations: Affirmation of internal collaborations.
• Research Culture Enhancement: Demonstrated contributions to the enhancement of the research culture and environment at NC State.
• Future Aspirations: Future aspirations for personal research discovery and development of NC State labs, programs, or initiatives.
• Inclusive Environment: Indication of promoting a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and well-being.

Nomination Package Requirements

Each College Research Office is responsible for gathering and assembling complete nomination packages. A fully completed package consists of four (4) required components submitted as a single PDF:

1. Nominee Statement Letter (limit: 5 pages)
   • Submitted By: The Nominee.
   • Requirements: Summarizes leadership, mentoring impact, and research contributions. The letter must directly address the Selection Criteria.
   • Formatting Specs:
     • First page must be on departmental letterhead (subsequent pages use ¾” margins).
     • Single-spaced with appropriate paragraph and character spacing.
     • Font: Arial 11 pt. or Times New Roman 12 pt.
2. Nomination Letter (limit: 2 pages)
   • Submitted By: College Dean, Provost, or Vice Chancellor for Research.
   • Requirements: Must provide justification for the nomination, be printed on official letterhead and include an original signature.
3. Letters of Reference (limit: 3 total letters, 3 pages per letter)
   • Source Requirements:
     • 2 letters from NC State-associated sources.
     • 1 letter from a non-NC State source.
   • Formatting Requirements: Must be on official letterhead, include complete contact information, and bear an original signature.
4. Complete Curriculum Vitae (no page limit)
   • Submitted By: The Nominee.
   • Requirements: Nominee’s complete CV.

Selection Process

1. Package Submission: Each College Research Office gathers and submits fully completed PDF packages to [email protected] by the deadline.
2. Review Committee:
   • Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (Chair)
   • Four (4) RLA members (including the Chair and Chair-Elect)
   • University Research Committee (URC) Chair and Chair-Elect
3. Award Selection: The committee evaluates nominations against the official selection criteria and selects up to four (4) recipients for the Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award and membership in the Research Leadership Academy.

Frequently Asked Questions