The Rising Star in Academia Award celebrates exceptional early-career researchers and academics who are demonstrating significant promise and making notable initial contributions to their respective fields. This award aims to encourage, support, and recognize emerging talent that is poised to make a substantial impact on the future of academia and beyond.

Award Categories

To ensure broad recognition and reflect the diverse landscape of academic inquiry, the award will feature categories aligned with major disciplinary groupings:

• Rising Star in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics): For outstanding early-career contributions in core scientific discovery, technological innovation, and engineering solutions.
• Rising Star in Health & Life Sciences: Recognizing promising talent in medical research, public health, biological sciences, and related interdisciplinary health fields.
• Rising Star in Social Sciences & Humanities: For impactful initial scholarship in areas like economics, political science, sociology, psychology, history, literature, philosophy, and the arts.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates for the Rising Star in Academia Award must meet the following criteria:

• Career Stage: Be an early-career researcher or academic. This typically means within 5-7 years of completing their PhD (exceptions may be made for career breaks such as parental leave, military service, or extended illness – these should be clearly stated in the application).
• Current Affiliation: Be currently affiliated with a recognized academic or research institution.
• Demonstrated Promise: Show clear evidence of significant potential and early impact, as demonstrated by:
  • Initial Publications: High-quality peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals or conference proceedings.
  • Presentations: Engaging and insightful presentations at academic conferences or invited talks.
  • Research Grants/Funding: Involvement in or successful acquisition of competitive research grants.
  • Early Innovations: Evidence of innovative research approaches, methodologies, or initial findings that break new ground.
  • Contributions to the Field: Active participation in academic communities, such as peer review, organizing symposia, or contributing to professional bodies.
  • Interdisciplinary Work: A strong preference for candidates whose work demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration or impact.

Nomination and Selection Process

The selection process is designed to be thorough and identify truly exceptional emerging talent:

• Nomination Source: Nominations can be submitted by senior faculty members, department heads, deans, or established researchers who can attest to the nominee’s potential and achievements. Self-nominations are generally not accepted to ensure an independent endorsement.
• Supporting Documentation: Nominations must include:
  • A detailed nomination letter highlighting the nominee’s achievements, promise, and the significance of their early contributions.
  • The nominee’s full Curriculum Vitae (CV) including publications, presentations, grants, and any teaching or service contributions.
     
  • At least one, and preferably two, additional letters of support from external senior academics or experts who can comment on the nominee’s work and future potential.
  • Copies of 2-3 most impactful publications or outputs.
• Review Committee: A dedicated committee comprising distinguished senior academics, potentially including past award winners or leaders in relevant fields, will evaluate all nominations.
• Evaluation Criteria: The committee will assess candidates based on the quality, originality, impact, and future potential of their early work, as well as their overall trajectory in academia.
• Interviews (Optional): For a very select shortlist, the committee may opt for brief virtual interviews to gain deeper insights into the candidate’s research vision and career aspirations.

Award Benefits

Recipients of the Rising Star in Academia Award will receive:

• Monetary Grant: A significant monetary grant to support their ongoing research, facilitate travel to conferences, or invest in professional development opportunities.
• Public Recognition: Prominent announcement and celebration across institutional platforms, academic news outlets, and relevant professional societies, significantly raising their national and international profile.
• Mentorship Opportunities: Potential access to a network of established researchers and leaders, fostering valuable mentorship and collaboration opportunities.
• Speaking Engagements: Invitations to deliver keynote addresses or present their research at high-profile university events or specialized conferences.
• Professional Development Support: Access to workshops or training programs tailored for academic leadership and grant acquisition.