IEE Research Awards

Call for Award Nominations

The Institute of Energy and the Environment is pleased to announce a call for nominations for three new awards related to research, knowledge transfer, and faculty guidance on topics related to one of the five IEE strategic themes. Nominations may be self-made or made by others. Tenure-line and/or non-tenure-line faculty at any Penn State campus are eligible to be nominated. 

Each nomination packet must be a single PDF file that includes: 

  • A nomination letter (one page maximum) presenting evidence for why the recipient(s) deserve the award. This nomination should specify the identified lead. 
  • A two-page CV for the identified lead and any secondary nominees. 
  • One, or at most two, pieces of evidence (papers, conference proceedings, news articles, public engagement event, etc.). Additional pieces of evidence can be linked to in the nomination letter if the nominator deems them essential. 
  • Nomination packets must be sent to iee@psu.edu by the nomination deadline with the subject line "IEE Research Award Nomination."

The deadline for nominations this year is October 6, 2023.

Eligible nominators are restricted to current Penn State researchers.

Image
IEE Research Award 2023

Funds for Awardees

Each awardee will receive $5000 in discretionary funds for research that is deposited into a Penn State account. The award will be given to the identified lead, but it may be distributed among team members at their request.

Award Descriptions

Translational Research Award

This award will be given to a team of two or more Penn State tenure-line or non-tenure-line faculty researchers whose collaborative, interdisciplinary research efforts on a topic within one of the five IEE strategic themes have benefited society. These benefits could include, but are not limited to, research efforts that have led to the promotion of inclusion, public engagement, societal well-being, workforce development, partnerships, and/or infrastructure development. Examples of evidence to support the translational impact of research may include a publication, news story, and/or public engagement event. To be eligible, the outputs from these efforts must have occurred within the past three years.

Advancement of Knowledge Award

This award will be given to a team of two or more Penn State tenure-line or non-tenure-line faculty researchers whose interdisciplinary research efforts on a topic within one of the five IEE strategic themes have led to an outstanding peer-reviewed article that represents a significant scientific advancement. Evidence to support the significance of this advancement can come from the article itself, as well as coverage of the article in the press or media. Emphasis will be given to research efforts that are truly interdisciplinary and build upon the unique capabilities of each team member. To be eligible, the outputs from these efforts must have occurred within the past three years.

Research Guidance Award

This award is intended to recognize the efforts that a faculty member may make in demonstrably helping a pre-tenured or non-tenured faculty member begin studying a research topic relevant to at least one of the five IEE strategic themes. The award will be given to a team consisting of one pre-tenure or non-tenure track faculty member and one faculty member from different departments or colleges at Penn State, with the lead being the faculty member who served as the advisor. Evidence for this faculty development should come in the form of a narrative with supporting pieces of evidence, such as a list of publications, co-mentored studies, and/or submitted research proposals. To be eligible, this guidance must have occurred over the past ten years.