Early Career Faculty

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to recognize a faculty member who has made significant contributions throughout the year to his/her discipline, or to the SIU Carbondale community.  In establishing this award for excellence in a faculty member’s early career, the University will recognize someone who demonstrates excellence in scholarship, teaching, and other professional activities.

Criteria for Selection

The University-Level Early Career Faculty Excellence Award may be presented to one tenure-track associate professor who extraordinarily excels at research, teaching, and other professional activities. To be considered for this award, the individual must be within five (5) years* of their tenure clock start date at the time of the application. The tenure clock starts for all tenure track faculty employment at SIU on August 1 irrespective of their employment date (see Tenure Policies and Procedures Section IV, Part F for additional details).
*Direct any questions concerning eligibility to the Office of the Associate Provost for Administrative Affairs apaa@siu.edu 

Nomination Process

Nominations for the award may be proposed by colleagues, associates, supervisors, or subordinates (hereafter, the sponsor) of the nominee. The nomination should be supported by a detailed statement of the nature and importance of the accomplishments sought to be rewarded. Presentations should be identified as invited, national or international, and information should be provided that can be used as ranking criteria for publications. Each sponsor must provide (after consultation with the nominee):

1. a nominating letter detailing the nature and importance of the accomplishment;
2. a list of scholarly and creative activities and special awards; and
3. a current vitae (prepared in the standardized format used for promotion) of the individual being nominated, including a complete professional employment history. There is no limit to the length of this document, but it should be a resume or vitae with all works completed at SIU since their tenure track appointment highlighted, and is not to include exhibits or supporting information. The burden of making the case for excellence lies with the letters and the professional history of the nominee.
4. Checklist cover page.

The complete package (sponsor letter, resume or vitae and up to six supporting letters) must be received by the nomination deadline.  All materials  should be submitted to the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Anthony Hall Room 125, Mail Code:  4305, Attention:  University-Level Early Career Faculty Excellence Award.  Nominations may also be submitted electronically via email to provost@siu.edu. 

Nomination Deadline

Nominations are due Friday, January 23, 2026, 4:30 p.m.  Materials will not be accepted after the deadline.

Selection Process

The University-Level Early Career Faculty Excellence Award Committee is to be comprised of an active faculty member selected by the Deans’ Council, an active faculty member selected by the Faculty Senate, and an active faculty member selected by the Graduate Council. Three additional members shall be the University-Level Early Career Faculty Excellence Award winners of the previous three years. The seventh member, the chair, is to be appointed jointly by the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Vice Chancellor for Research.  Should one of the eligible, previous University-Level Early Career award recipients not be able to serve, the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will select a like awardee from a previous year.

Eligibility 

A new SIU CARBONDALE faculty member employed with the University no more than five (5) years, at the time of the application deadline, and who excels at research, teaching, and other professional activities.

This award is permanent recognition of outstanding teaching or research and, therefore, can be awarded only once to an individual during his/her career at SIU Carbondale.

Nature of Award 

A framed certificate and a $1,000 monetary award are to be granted the winner of the University-Level Early Career Faculty Excellence Award. He/She will also receive recognition at the annual awards reception and May commencement ceremony. 

A reserved parking space is provided from August 1 through July 31; recipients must have a valid parking decal.

Note:  Awards received may be subject to Federal and State taxes as required by law.