Postdoc and Faculty Mentor Awards Program

Nominees must demonstrate excellence in research, scholarship or creative expression as evidenced by one or more of the following:

• Recent publications, publication contracts, and/or works of creative expression
• Presentations: papers or posters at local, regional, national or international conferences/meetings
• Awards and honors: internal and/or external recognition of excellence in research, scholarship or creative expression
• Other unique contributions to scholarship (e.g., presentations, grants, publications) or pedagogy in their field

Nominee eligibility:

• The nominee must be in the rank of “postdoctoral associate” at Virginia Tech who began in their role prior to July 1, 2023 (ie, greater than 1 year as a postdoc at Virginia Tech), and has demonstrated scholarly productivity as a Virginia Tech postdoc.

Who can nominate?

• Virginia Tech faculty who are either on the tenure-track, tenured, or otherwise eligible to serve as a principal investigator on grant submissions through Virginia Tech.

What is required in the nomination?

• Name and contact information for both the nominee and the faculty nominator
• Updated CV of the nominee
• A 500-1000 word statement that speaks to the nominee’s scholarly excellence and contributions to their field, specifically focused on the work they have performed while a postdoctoral associate at Virginia Tech

Awardees will be selected based on meeting one or more of the following criteria:

• Engages in exceptional mentorship of the next generation of researchers (undergraduate & graduate students) in their field
• Provides outstanding support to other postdoctoral scholars, their teaching or research community, and/or the Virginia Tech community
• Service to the postdoctoral community at large, including advocating for postdoctoral scholars and including postdoctoral voices in key decision making or other endeavors

Nominee eligibility:

• The nominee must be in the rank of “postdoctoral associate” at Virginia Tech who began in their role prior to July 1, 2023 (ie, greater than 1 year as a postdoc at Virginia Tech) 

Who can nominate?

• Any Virginia Tech student or employee

What is required in the nomination?

• Name and contact information for both the nominee and the primary nominator
• A 500-1000 word statement that speaks to the qualification of the nominee to be considered for the Postdoc Service Excellence award along one or multiple criteria detailed above. This statement could also include testimonials the nominator solicits from other individuals within or outside Virginia Tech who can speak to the service the postdoc has performed to their field and/or community. 

This award recognizes faculty mentors who have gone above and beyond to support Virginia Tech postdoctoral associates.

Awardees will be selected based on meeting one or more of the following criteria:

• Empowers postdoc mentee to reach their career goals
• Supports postdoc mentee through collaborative scholarship (e.g., grant writing, publications, presentations) and teaching, where relevant
• Offers constructive feedback and expertise in support of their postdoc mentee
• Service to the postdoctoral community at large, including advocating for postdoctoral scholars and including postdoctoral voices

Nominee eligibility:

• The nominee must be a Virginia Tech faculty who are either on the tenure-track, tenured, or otherwise eligible to serve as a Principal Investigator on grant submissions through Virginia Tech

Who can nominate?

• Current Virginia Tech postdoctoral associates 

What is required in the nomination?

• Name and contact information for both the nominee and postdoc nominator
• A 500-1000 word statement that speaks to the qualification of the nominee to be considered for the Faculty Mentor Award along one or multiple criteria detailed above. This statement could also include testimonials the nominator solicits from current and past postdoc mentees of the nominee who can speak to their mentorship.