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, extension, and service priorities set out in the University's Strategic Imperatives: Success for Every Student, Research that Shapes the Future, and Engagement with Our Communities to Create Opportunity.
Sponsor
University of Arizona Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. This award is funded through the Provost’s Investment Fund.
Purpose
The Early Career Scholars Award recognizes outstanding early career faculty who are making remarkable contributions to the teaching, creative activity, extension, and service priorities set out in the University's Strategic Imperatives.
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.
Eligibility
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.
Criteria
Candidates will be evaluated on their demonstrated excellence in the following areas:
- Significant breakthroughs in scholarship.
- Innovative approaches to teaching.
- Service contributions to the University's strategic imperatives.
- Extension work that benefits communities (if applicable).
Nomination Process
Department Heads/Directors/Chairs may submit a nomination for eligible faculty. Nomination materials must be submitted online through Arizona Cultivate. Each nomination should contain the following:
- 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 nominee's college 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 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 distinguished university-wide committee. Official notification of award recipients will be provided to the individual recipient, the Dean of the respective College, and the department head. For nominations not selected, notifications will be sent to both the nominee and the nominator listed in Cultivate.
Recognition
The recipient(s), if any, will be celebrated at a special award ceremony in 2026. Recipients will receive information about the ceremony 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.