About the Award

Each academic year the College of Arts and Sciences gives up to three awards to faculty members who are in the early stages of developing research programs. Those selected will be designated as "College of Arts and Sciences Early Career Research Award (ECRA) winners." Each recipient will receive $250 to be used for research (not for salary) and a plaque as tokens of this recognition.

Eligibility

For consideration, a candidate for one of these awards must have been employed full-time by The University of Memphis (U of M) no more than five academic years (not necessarily consecutive) and be not more than eight years beyond receiving the terminal degree, prior to the semester of application.No past recipient will be eligible to receive the award again.

Nomination

Candidates may be nominated by any faculty member or administrator employed full-time by the U of M in the semester of nomination, or a candidate may be self-nominated. Each nomination should be in the form of a letter or memorandum describing the research accomplishments of the nominee and his/her appropriateness for an award.

Nominations must be submitted to the College Council for Research and Graduate Studies, through the Office of the College Director of Research and Graduate Studies, no later than Tuesday, March 17, 2009.

Those not self-nominated will be informed of their candidacy by the Council. Those wishing to be considered must submit a record offering the basis for consideration. This could contain a current curriculum vitae with complete lists of research activities, grants, publications, and instructional responsibilities. Work completed while professionally affiliated with the U of M must be clearly identified. Reprints and copies of publications will be required.

Although letters of reference are not required, they are recommended and should be solicited by the nominee. The selection committee may also solicit additional information.

Procedure

The College of Arts and Sciences Council for Research and Graduate Studies will select a committee composed of one of its members from each of the discipline groups within the College (Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences). This committee will evaluate nominations and submit the top nominees to the Council at its March or April meeting each year. The Council will select the recipient(s) of the award(s). All files need to be completed and submitted by noon on Tuesday, April 6, 2009 to 107B Scates.

The name(s) of the individual(s) selected by the Council to receive award(s) will be forwarded to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for appropriate action and announcement.