>Explore UMass Amherst Student Research Awards

The nomination period for the UMass Amherst Rising Researcher student award program is now closed.

Overview

The Rising Researcher student acknowledgement program is designed to raise the profile of our most promising undergraduate students and to publicly acknowledge their excellent work. This program is supported by University Relations, the Office of Research & Engagement, and the Commonwealth Honors College.

Who is eligible for the award?

Eligible students will be exceptional UMass Amherst undergraduates, identified by their faculty mentor/advisor, who have demonstrated leadership and externally visible impact in their chosen area of research and scholarship. Impact can take the form of research results/scholarly publications (peer-reviewed publications, books or book chapters, compositions or performances, and productions are particularly valued). Additional accomplishments of interest are papers at national meetings and innovation/entrepreneurial activities that lead to the development of technology or the formation of a business. We seek to highlight a diverse representation of undergraduates; nomination of African American, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American students is highly encouraged.

Who is eligible to submit a nomination?

Faculty members are encouraged to nominate eligible UMass students who are under their supervision. Students are required to submit supporting documentation.

Process

A call for nomination will be issued once per year, near the beginning of the fall semester. During the nomination period, a link to the nomination form in Kuali Build will be posted on this website. The nomination period will be approximately three weeks long.

• Faculty members are encouraged to nominate eligible students whom they advise/mentor.  
  • Nominators should provide context for the student’s research that form the basis for the nomination (including publications, exhibitions, or performances; presentations at national meetings; and innovation and entrepreneurship activities).
  • Nominations submitted by faculty members or administrators other than the student’s advisor are also permitted; however, they must include sufficient information about the nominee’s research and scholarly accomplishments for the selection committee to make an informed decision.
  • Faculty are strongly encouraged to submit nominations well before the deadline, and to coordinate with their nominated student, to allow sufficient time for the student to submit their own supporting information and materials.
• Once a faculty member submits a nomination, the nominated student will receive an email from Kuali Build notifying them to log in and submit their supporting information and materials. Students should add [email protected] to the “safe sender” list in their email client, or check their spam folder, to ensure they receive notifications.
   

Recognition

Students receive an acrylic award, publicity about their achievement in campus communications, and an opportunity to meet the chancellor.

Questions? Contact Lauren Rubenstein.