University-Level Scholar Excellence Award Guidelines

Purpose

The University-Level Scholar Excellence Award recognizes and promotes outstanding research and creative endeavors. The award is a testament to the contributions of scholarship and artistic activity, which are essential to the life of the University.

Criteria for Selection

The University-Level Scholar Excellence Award is an exceptional one, given only to those who have made outstanding contributions to their discipline and have thus become widely recognized for their achievements by other scholars in the field. The award need not be made annually. The award will not be granted to more than one individual during an academic year.

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 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. Each sponsor must provide (after consultation with the nominee), a list of six (6) references external to the University; the sponsor does not request letters. No SIU Carbondale faculty should be included in the list of references for any nominee. References from those who are long-standing or close collaborators or former students of nominees are discouraged. Each reference listed must include name, address, phone number, email address, a short biographical sketch (2-3 paragraphs) and the nominee’s affiliation with the reference.  
5. Checklist cover page.

The nomination letter and the packet of supporting documentation are to be forwarded to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Woody Hall 350, Mail Code: 4344, Attention: University-Level Scholar Excellence Award Committee. You may also submit the nomination via email to ovcr@siu.edu.

Nomination Deadline 

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

Selection Process

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

Eligibility

All current, full-time SIU Carbondale faculty and staff members employed with the University for a period of five (5) consecutive years and who, at the time of the original nomination, are involved in research and creative activities are eligible for the award.

Once nominated, the nominee may remain eligible for consideration for two additional years, if still a member of the SIU Carbondale faculty or staff. Re-nomination will require agreement on the part of the nominee, to be obtained again by the sponsor. An updated nominee CV and an updated sponsor cover letter should be provided in each of the subsequent two years that the application will be re-considered.  (Other supporting documentation may be updated at the discretion of the nominee.)  After three consecutive years of consideration, the application file will be no longer be considered, and subsequent nomination of the individual will require the sponsor to resubmit a new updated application package.

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

Nature of Award

The permanent title of Distinguished Scholar, a framed certificate, and a $1,000 monetary award are to be granted to the recipient of the University-Level Scholar 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.