Recognizing individuals whose contributions strengthen the Department’s culture, foster connection and collaboration, and make the Department of Neuroscience a better place to work.
Nomination Deadline: October 15, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CT
Purpose
The Community Award recognizes a Department of Neuroscience member whose contributions make the Department a better place to work and strengthen a positive, collaborative, and supportive departmental culture.
This award recognizes contributions to the Department community broadly. Contributions focused primarily on the development or success of individual mentees are more appropriately recognized through the Outstanding Mentorship Award.
Eligibility
Open to all Department of Neuroscience members who meet the general eligibility requirements for the Recognition Awards program.
Unless otherwise specified for an individual award:
- Nominees must be current Department of Neuroscience faculty, research or administrative staff, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students at the time of nomination and award conferral.
- Nominees must have been affiliated with the Department for at least one full fiscal year at the time of nomination.
- Contributions being recognized must have occurred during the nominee’s affiliation with the Department.
- Current voting members of the Social & Recognition Committee are not eligible for nomination during their term of service.
- Individuals may not receive the same award more than once within a three-year period but remain eligible for other award categories.
Criteria
Nominees are evaluated on contributions during the past fiscal year in the following areas:
- Dedication — Demonstrating commitment to the well-being and success of the Department community.
- Exemplarity — Modeling behaviors and values that contribute to a positive departmental culture.
- Cohesion — Strengthening relationships, collaboration, inclusion, or connection among Department members.
- Consistency — Demonstrating these contributions consistently over time.
Nomination Requirements
A complete nomination includes:
- Completed nomination form
- Nomination statement of no more than 500 words providing concrete examples of how the nominee has strengthened the Department community
- Optional: Letters of support from other Department of Neuroscience members
- Self-nominations are not accepted.
- Nominations must be submitted by a current Department of Neuroscience member.
- Nominees will not be informed that they have been nominated.
- Late or incomplete nominations will not be reviewed.
Submit a Nomination
Complete the form below to nominate a Department of Neuroscience member for the Community Award.