Sonoma State University

Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Award

Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Award

The Faculty Subcommittee on Scholarly Activities invites nominations for the Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (RSCA) Award. 

In recognition of the essential links between active engagement in scholarship and excellence in teaching, this award recognizes a faculty member at any rank who demonstrates exceptional achievement in research, scholarship, and/or creative activity. The award supports continued scholarly or creative work that contributes to teaching, the university, and the broader community.

The nomination submission is due Friday, March 27, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

Eligibility

Probationary (tenure-track), tenured, and adjunct faculty at SSU are eligible for nomination. Faculty at any rank may be nominated based on the exceptional quality and significance of their research, scholarship, and/or creative activities. Preference will be given to candidates who have not previously received this award.

Award Amount

In the 2025–2026 cycle, one recipient will receive a cash award of $2,500, conferred for excellence in research, scholarship, and/or creative activity. Funds may be used for any purpose that directly supports the scholarly or creative work of the faculty member.

A report on use of funds is due to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) by June 2027.

Appropriate expenses may include:

  • Travel to present research at conferences, collect primary data, or conduct archival research (must comply with CSU travel policies)
  • Funding undergraduate or graduate assistants
  • Purchasing equipment and specialized supplies not normally available
  • Other fully justified expenses, as approved at the discretion of ORSP

Award Notification

Award notification will be made in April 2026 and the award will be presented at the Faculty and Graduate Student Research Symposium, which will be scheduled that month (the date will be announced shortly).

Submission and Deadline

Friday, March 27, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

All application materials must be submitted via InfoReady: https://sonoma.infoready4.com

The application will open for submissions via InforReady by Friday, February 13.

Award Procedures and Criteria

Applications must be submitted through InfoReady and will be evaluated by the Faculty Subcommittee on Scholarly Activities (FSSA). The committee will forward its recommendation to the University Provost for final selection. The award will be administered by ORSP.

Nominating Process

Nominations may be submitted by anyone employed at Sonoma State University. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

Required nomination materials include:

  • Nomination Letter (1–2 pages) describing the significance and quality of the candidate’s research, scholarship, and/or creative activities
  • Brief statement of support from the faculty member’s Dean
  • One additional letter of support (limited to one page)
  • Current CV

Evaluation Criteria

Application materials will be evaluated for evidence of the following. Each criterion is given equal weight and is based exclusively on the application materials submitted.

  1. Excellence in research, scholarship, and/or creative activities,
    • Demonstrated by publications, presentations, exhibits, performances, external grants
  2. Significance and originality of the research, scholarship, and/or creative activities
    • Demonstrated, for example, by professional awards, praise, reviews, quality of outlet, and/or other field-specific measures.
  3. Demonstrated impact of the work on teaching, the university, broader community, and/or academic field:
    • Teaching (e.g., engagement of undergraduate or graduate students in scholarly or creative projects, development of innovative curriculum or pedagogy that reflects new knowledge in their academic field).
    • University and Community (e.g., contributions to campus programs, community outreach, diversity and sustainability initiatives).
    • Broader Community and Academic Field (e.g., activities that benefit society through the application and extension of new knowledge, enhanced social welfare, and/or innovative creative expression).

Incomplete packets or submissions received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Questions

FSSA Chair and College Representatives (the full FSSA membership is linked here)

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP): ORSP Post-Award Manager