The University of Rhode Island
Research and Scholarship
Excellence Awards

These awards recognize achievement in the nominee’s research, scholarly, or creative activities; demonstrated ability to integrate research, scholarly or creative activities with the instructional mission of the University; and/or leadership in fostering a climate at URI that advances and sustains research, scholarly and creative activities.

The Division of Research and Economic Development and the Research Advisory Committee invite nominations for the Research and Scholarship Excellence Awards, which recognize the work of current URI faculty, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, graduate students, & undergraduate students.

Please review the full Call for Nominations for the full criteria for nominees.

Faculty at two different career stages are recognized: 
Advanced Career Faculty
This category recognizes established, full-time tenured and full-time research faculty who have made sustained or significant contributions to their field.

  • One award in the social sciences, arts, and humanities.
  • One award in the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering.  

Early Career Faculty 
This category recognizes full-time non-tenured tenure-track or full-time research faculty in the early phase of their careers who have engaged in superior research, scholarly, or creative activities.

  • One award in the social sciences, arts, and humanities.
  • One award in the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering.

Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Staff
These awards recognize achievement in the nominee’s research, scholarly or creative activities, and potential to make a significant contribution to the field in his or her career. Research Staff are personnel with appointments as Research Assistant, Research Associate, Marine Research Assistant, Marine Research Associate, or Marine Research Specialist.

  • One award in the social sciences, arts and humanities.
  • One award in the life sciences, physical sciences and engineering.

Graduate Student
This category recognizes graduate students who have achieved distinction in their disciplines through their scholarship and creative activity, and show potential to make a significant contribution to their field.

  • One award in the social sciences, arts, and humanities.
  • One award in the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. 

Undergraduate Student
This category recognizes students who have engaged in the process of planning, researching, and producing a scholarly or creative work.  

  • One award in the social sciences, arts, and humanities.
  • One award in the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. 

 

Nominations are reviewed by the Research Advisory Committee and award recipients will be recommended to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. 

The Research Advisory Committee and/or the Vice President may elect not to select a recipient in any of the categories. 

Excellence Award recipients will receive the award, a framed citation, and an Excellence pin. 
Faculty will receive $1,000, Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Staff, and Graduate Students will receive $500, and Undergraduate Students will receive $250 (taxable income).

Additionally, award recipients will be recognized as part of the spring Commencement. 

Please view the list of prior recipients by year.