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Engaged Research Award

Engaged research and scholarship is conducted for the benefit of, and in partnership with, a community to address critical community needs from local to global. Scholars who excel in engaged research are the embodiment of Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim.

The Engaged Research Award recognizes faculty who apply their research or creative activity to address a significant community need or larger social issue, trying to find solutions that may improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. They actively collaborate with members of the community (locally, statewide, nationally, or globally), regarding them as equal partners in the process, sharing knowledge and expertise, and working together to generate new knowledge for the mutual benefit of both the community and the university.

One faculty will be selected per year and will receive $2,000.

Nomination Information

Eligibility

  • Teaching and research faculty in any rank
  • Must have three years of service at Virginia Tech at the time of nomination
  • The title of Distinguished Professor is the highest honor bestowed by Virginia Tech; therefore, Alumni and University Distinguished Professors are not eligible.
  • Retired faculty are not eligible.
  • Individuals can be honored with the award only once.

Selection Criteria

  • Evidence of collaborative engagement with external societal/community stakeholders;
  • Evidence of stakeholder involvement throughout the research process;
  • Supportive community feedback is available on the research engagement process;
  • The research significance and the beneficiaries from the research are clearly identifiable;
  • Sources corroborate the benefit, e.g. publications, reports, policy; or
  • Advances the public service, outreach, and engagement mission at Virginia Tech.

Nomination Process and Package

Nominations must be received from a dean or their designee. Submissions are limited to one nomination per academic department or school per submission cycle.

Nomination package required elements:

  • Cover page with the following information:
    • Nominee name, rank, time in rank at Virginia Tech, time in rank prior to Virginia Tech (if relevant)
    • Department/school and college
  • Name of award being nominated for
  • Nomination letter (two pages maximum): The nomination letter should be a thorough summary that describes the nominee’s engaged research and scholarship explicitly addressing the relevant selection criteria and written in language understood by individuals outside the discipline. The nomination letters may be signed by the department head/chair or school director, or by the dean.
  • Curriculum vitae to include lists of publications or performances, grants and contracts, awards, etc.
  • Two letters from external references. A letter from a relevant community member is encouraged, other references may include collaborators, and typically are from national or international experts in the field (academic, industrial, federal agency, professional association, etc.) attesting to the nominee’s contributions and the impact of their work.

Nomination Package Submission

Nomination packages should be sent electronically as one single pdf to Robyn Smyth (robyn@vt.edu) by close of business on January 31, 2025.