Purpose
The Early Career Scholars Award recognizes outstanding early career faculty who are at the forefront of their disciplines and make highly valued contributions to the teaching, creative activity, and service priorities set out in the University's Strategic Plan Five Pillars: Wildcat Journey, Grand Challenges, Arizona Advantage, Arizona Global, and Institutional Excellence. Our purpose at the University of Arizona is to work together to expand human potential to explore new horizons and enrich life for all. Our mission is to create a world where human potential is realized and we’re all working together to create solutions to big problems, so that life in our communities, in Arizona and on our planet can thrive. Our university values that undergird our purpose are integrity, compassion, exploration, adaptation, inclusion, and determination.
Sponsor
University of Arizona Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Award
Recipients will receive a one-time allocation of $5,000 in University funds to facilitate further work within their discipline.
Number of Awards
Up to four awards may be made each year.
Criteria
Candidates will be judged both on the evidence that they have demonstrated significant breakthrough in their scholarship, innovations in teaching, and service contributions to the strategic plan of the university.
Eligibility
Eligible candidates will be early career, tenure-eligible and continuing-eligible faculty, with priority given to those candidates of exceptional promise at the assistant rank at the University of Arizona.
Continuing-eligible or tenure-eligible candidates currently under an early or mandatory review for continuing status or tenure are not eligible for this award
A maximum of 1 faculty per department can be nominated for this award.
Nomination Process
Department Heads/Directors/Chairs may submit a nomination for eligible faculty. Nomination materials must be submitted online through Arizona Cultivate.
- A letter of nomination signed by at least four individuals, at least two of whom must be University of Arizona faculty. The letter should specify how the nominee meets the criteria for the award.
- A current curriculum vitae for the nominee.
- A one recommendation letter (2-3 pages) from a University of Arizona colleague within the nominee’s area of expertise
- A one-page letter from the Dean
The University recognizes the wide range of skills and talents that faculty bring to our thriving academic community, which drive innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. The University of Arizona is committed to fostering a culture of recognition and encourages the nomination of individuals of all experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. Additionally, the University values the significant contributions nominees make to advancing its land-grant mission.
Submission of Materials
Materials are to be submitted online through Arizona Cultivate.
Review the nomination packet carefully before submitting to make sure that all of the required material is accurate and included. Packets that are incomplete may be delayed.
Selection Process
Nominations are reviewed by a university-wide committee, including prior awardees (if available). Notification of the award winners will be sent to the individual, the Dean of the College and the nomination contact person. Notification of nominations that were not selected will be sent to the Dean of the College and the contact person or an appropriate senior member of the nominating team.
Recognition
The recipient(s), if any, will be celebrated at a special award ceremony in 2026. Recipients will receive more information through email.
Due Date
Monday, December 8, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Awardees will be announced by the end of April, 2026.
For More Information
Please contact: Dr. Adrián Arroyo-Pérez, +1 (520) 621-2121 or email arroyopa@arizona.edu.