Research and Creative Activity (RCA) Awards

In recognition of the research, scholarly, and artistic achievements of NAU faculty and students—and their importance in serving our region and society—the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President for Research are pleased to announce the Research and Creative Activity (RCA) Awards program.

Nomination instructions

• All faculty and staff are eligible to nominate eligible individuals or groups (for scholarly/creative works) for any of the award categories.
• Nominations submitted electronically no later than 5 p.m., Friday, December 8, 2023.

NOTE: Individuals or groups who are nominated will be asked to submit a packet of nomination materials, which will be provided to the RCA Review Committee.  The nomination materials are minimally comprised of the nominees Curriculum vitae and a statement describing the nominee’s accomplishments relevant to the award, as well as some award-specific information (e.g. tables of previous mentees, electronic copies of publications or portfolios, etc). Letters of support are optional but are capped at four submissions for any given nomination.

Award categories

Most Promising New Research Scholar

Awarded to a tenure or career-track faculty member who has demonstrated the potential to contribute outstanding research and scholarship to their discipline. Nominees are eligible provided they have not yet been evaluated for their first major promotion at the University and should be within the first five years of their appointment at the University.

Most Promising New Artistic or Creative Scholar

Awarded to a tenure or career-track faculty member who has demonstrated the potential to contribute outstanding artistic scholarship or creative activities to their discipline. Nominees are eligible provided they have not yet been evaluated for their first major promotion at the University and should be within the first five years of their appointment at the University.

Most Promising Graduate Student Research Scholar

Awarded to a graduate student who has displayed excellence in research and scholarship, and demonstrated significant potential for further success in their discipline.

Most Promising Graduate Artistic or Creative Scholar

Awarded to a graduate student who has displayed excellence in artistic scholarship or creative activities, and demonstrated significant potential for further success in their discipline.

Graduate Research Mentorship

Awarded to a faculty member whose mentoring of graduate students is demonstrated by effective approaches, a clear time commitment, and positive student outcomes. Nominations of previous recipients of this award may be considered provided five years or more have passed since the initial recognition.

Graduate Artistic or Creative Work Mentorship

Awarded to a faculty member whose mentoring of graduate students is demonstrated by effective approaches, a clear time commitment, and positive student outcomes. Nominations of previous recipients of this award may be considered provided five years or more have passed since the initial recognition.

Undergraduate Research Mentorship

Awarded to a faculty member whose mentoring of undergraduate students is demonstrated by effective approaches, a clear time commitment, and positive student outcomes. Nominations of previous recipients of this award may be considered provided five years or more have passed since the initial recognition.

Undergraduate Artistic or Creative Work Mentorship

Awarded to a faculty member whose mentoring of undergraduate students is demonstrated by effective approaches, a clear time commitment, and positive student outcomes. Nominations of previous recipients of this award may be considered provided five years or more have passed since the initial recognition.

Most Significant Research/Scholarly Work

Awarded to an NAU employee (or group of employees) who has produced a research or scholarly work—an article, book or book chapter, video, monograph, etc.—that has had or is anticipated to have a significant impact in the discipline. While individuals or groups are nominated for this category, the emphasis is on the scholarly work itself, which must have been first published within three years of the date of nomination.

Most Significant Artistic/Creative Work

Awarded to an NAU employee (or group of employees) who has produced a creative or artistic work—a performance, sculpture, novel or book, composition, exhibit, etc.—that demonstrates creative innovation and impact in the discipline. While individuals or groups are nominated for this category, the emphasis is on the creative work itself, which must have been first presented within three years of the date of nomination.

Most Impactful Community-engaged Research, Scholarship or Creative Activity

Awarded to an NAU employee (or group of employees) who performs research, scholarly work or creative activities that strengthens and respectfully engages one or more communities served by NAU. Nominations for this award will be evaluated based on demonstrated positive impact of work occurring within three years of the date of nomination.