University Scholarly Achievement Awards
The University Scholarly Achievement Award is a marquee award for our university and a way to recognize standout researchers who embody our mission to make discoveries that change the world.
Overview
Each year, the University of Kansas recognizes up to four mid-career faculty members as recipients of a University Scholarly Achievement Award. This $10,000 award recognizes a significant scholarly or research contribution, creative work (an exhibition, performance, composition, article or book, or major collaborative project) or a series of closely related contributions. This award covers all fields of scholarship represented at the University of Kansas, including but not limited to arts, humanities, architecture and design, music, mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, medicine, clinical science, pharmacy, social sciences, social welfare, education, journalism, law, libraries, and business.
The Chancellor’s Office is now accepting nominations for the 2027 awards. The deadline for the submission of nominations is October 16, 2026.
Details are below.
Nomination Details
All nominations will be evaluated by a committee of individuals representing the following areas:
- Arts and Humanities
- Science, Technology and Mathematics
- Medicine and Clinical Science
- Social Science and Professional Programs
Members of the committee are appointed by the Chancellor. The committee may recommend up to four awards each year, depending on the number of meritorious nominations.
These contributions will be evaluated using the criteria below:
- Advances the field of scholarship.
- Exhibits novelty and originality.
- Promotes scholarly and research activity or creative works at KU.
- Enhances the university’s national and international reputation.
To be eligible for consideration, the faculty member must meet the following criteria:
- Hold the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor.
- Be within 10 years of appointment as an Associate Professor at the time of the current nomination.
- Completed three academic years at KU.
- Must not have received a prior major KU award for the body of work on which the nomination is based. (View a list of major KU awards.)
Candidates may be nominated by colleagues or submit a self-nomination. Departments may nominate more than one individual for the award.
A complete nomination should be uploaded to REDCap by midnight, Friday, October 16, 2026, and must include:
- A nomination letter of no more than two pages explaining in terms comprehensible to an educated layperson how the contribution meets award criteria.
- A curriculum vita.
- Documentation of the scholarly contribution or creative work as appropriate for the discipline. This may include research articles, books, exhibitions, performances, compositions, etc.
Each of the documents mentioned above must be uploaded as separate files. A single file containing all documents is not permissible.
In addition, letters from two referees (at least one from outside KU) should be provided. Referees must be qualified to comment on the merits of the scholarly contribution. Letters must address how the candidate and their scholarly contribution(s) advances the field of scholarship, exhibits novelty and originality, promotes scholarly and research activity or creative works at KU, and enhances the university’s national and international reputation. Reference letters are not to be submitted through REDCap and should instead be emailed directly to chancellorawards@ku.edu by midnight on Friday, October 16, 2026.
For questions about the award or for assistance with REDCap, contact chancellorawards@ku.edu with the subject line, “USAA Awards.”
Nominations that were not successful in past years are encouraged to resubmit if criteria are still met. Resubmissions should include updated files to account for research activity since the last submission.
- August 3, 2026 | Nomination window for the 2027 award cycle opens
- October 16, 2026 | Deadline for submission
- October – November | Review Period for the USAA Committee
- December 2026 | Committee conveys its recommendations to the Chancellor
- April 2027 (exact date TBD) | University Research Awards ceremony