Call for nominations: President’s Scholar Awards


By Lisa D. Cain, PhD, Associate Vice President, Office of Faculty Affairs and Development

2024 President's Scholar Awards

The President’s Scholar Awards for Excellence in Research, Teaching, and Clinical Service are given annually to recognize distinguished service by UTHealth Houston faculty members. All members of our UTHealth Houston community are invited to nominate outstanding faculty members for these awards.

Each year, the program acknowledges the contributions of exceptional scholars and emphasizes the importance of these areas to the university’s mission. Each award includes a $10,000 cash prize. With the help of an awards committee, the nominations are reviewed before honorees are recommended to UTHealth Houston President Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, MD.

There is no limit on the number of nominations that may be submitted. Students and staff must send nomination documentation to the dean’s office of their schools for submission. All others must submit nomination documentation electronically to the UTHealth Houston Office of Faculty Affairs and Development at [email protected] by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25.

President’s Scholar Awards Guidelines:

Eligibility and general criteria

  • The President’s Scholar Awards are intended to recognize distinguished achievements of faculty members accomplished primarily at UTHealth Houston.
  • All faculty with a minimum of 10 years of service at UTHealth Houston are eligible.
  • Nominees are full-time faculty members at UTHealth Houston, holding at least the rank of Associate Professor, but typically full Professor.

Nomination process (please submit electronically)

The nomination packet should contain a detailed statement from the nominator about the nature, quality, and importance of the nominee’s accomplishments, along with the following materials:

  • A detailed statement from the nominee about the nature and importance of the accomplishments to be recognized
  • A complete curriculum vitae with bibliography
  • Two recommendation letters from UTHealth Houston-affiliated individuals (e.g., students, former students, colleagues, etc.)
  • Other documents as deemed useful

Criteria for selection of the President’s Scholar awardees include:

President’s Scholar Award for Excellence in Research

  • Extent of research activities
  • Research quality and importance
  • Impact of scientific work
  • Productivity
  • Extramural grants and peer-reviewed publications
  • Peer recognition at the local, national, and international levels
  • Contributions while at UTHealth Houston
  • Other pertinent research activities

President’s Scholar Award for Excellence in Teaching

  • Extent of teaching activities
  • Published works in teaching
  • Innovative online and digital teaching tools
  • Innovation in pedagogy
  • Teaching-related mentoring activities
  • Peer and student recognition of teaching
  • Peer recognition at the local, national, and international levels
  • Teaching-related presentation materials
  • Achievements of students and trainees
  • Other pertinent teaching activities

President’s Scholar Award for Excellence in Clinical Service

  • Innovation in practice and development of new and/or unique clinical programs
  • Peer recognition at the local, national, and international levels
  • Exemplary dedication to patient care
  • Evidence of impactful outreach and service to the lay community
  • Leadership in collaborative interprofessional teamwork
  • Other pertinent clinical activities

For a complete list of past award recipients, visit the President’s Scholar Awards website.

Please contact the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development for questions or assistance at [email protected].