Published on
Updated on
External Awards Team Serves as Mentors, Advising Faculty on Global and National Awards
In part 1 of our external awards series, we busted myths surrounding prestigious and highly prestigious awards. In part 2, learn about more of the resources that are available from the external awards team. While awards are considered an individual accomplishment, many fellowships connect the university on a global scale and lead to international partnerships and research opportunities.
Myth 4: Awards don’t matter except for the individual faculty member to add to their CV.
External awards help to raise the profile of the faculty member’s department and bring attention to the work being done at Mizzou on a national or even global level. Some awards, such as the Fulbright Scholars Program, connect faculty with scholars at other institutions around the world. Prestigious and highly prestigious awards may also assist in recruiting new faculty.
The networking and mentorship of faculty helping colleagues apply for awards is rewarding . It also provides the opportunity for faculty to learn about other fields. For example, Faculty Fellows David Crespy and Bill Horner will review American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellowship applications about research in STEM fields to make sure they are readable to outside reviewers. Crespy has hosted a webinar specifically for Fulbright programs in STEM fields so faculty know what global opportunities there are.
He works with Fulbright applicants on their initial letters of inquiry, letters of invitation and recommendations, the project statement, resume and bibliography. This one on one “mentorship” approached has worked very well, resulting in four of eight Mizzou Fulbright applicants ending successfully. He shared his experience with the Fulbright application process with other faculty who have successfully applied this academic year.
Crespy says his role in helping faculty with their applications is “one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences that I’ve had as an MU Professor – because I know that I’m setting that faculty member on a life-changing journey that will benefit them, their host university, and Mizzou.”
Myth 5: I want to apply to be an AAAS Fellow but I can’t afford the membership fees and the nomination process sounds complicated.
Bill Horner has also hosted a webinar on the application process for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows. This is a prestigious award that many MU faculty members have received, including Melvin Oliver, an adjunct professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology and Walter Gassmann, director of Bond Life Sciences Center and professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, who provided advice and tips on the application process in the webinar.
The AAAS has some specific requirements for their fellowship nomination process, including having to be a member of AAAS for four continuous years and securing sponsorship from a current fellow.
The Office of the Provost may be able to assist with the membership fees if a faculty member is well suited to be nominated for fellowship in the future, or if their chair recommends them for membership.
The external awards team can help with finding a nominator, reaching out to get letters of support and with reviewing applications for readability. Nominators can only write letters of support for two applicants each year, which is another good reason to work with our external awards team for assistance with coordinating the process. All previous AAAS Fellows are listed in their member directory,
An addition to becoming a member, these AAAS fellows recommend other ways to prepare for a future nomination.
“Because most awards require a nomination by colleagues and not an application by the individual my advice would be to collaborate, exchange ideas with colleagues, and not forget one’s network over too much isolated work,” recommends Gassmann.
Oliver urges other AAAS fellows and members of professional societies to proactively nominate colleagues who show high quality work for appropriate awards and fellowships.
“Individual researchers simply need to focus on the quality of their work and the awards will come if deserved,” he says, “The priority should be on doing the best job you can, and the rest will follow if one is fortunate.”
The 2025 Fellows nomination cycle is open from January 31 – April 16, 2025.
Provost Office Awards Support Programs
- External Awards team helps match faculty with awards and can then help them make a plan for when they want to apply. In this tutorial, Bill Horner shows how to search Faculty Insights to narrow down awards. Jackie Beary, Bill Horner, and David Crespy will meet individually with faculty.
- Provost office’s Course Release Program—apply for a teaching release for one course to apply for a highly prestigious award. Apply for a teaching release for the fall semester by February 1.
- Since 2022, President Choi provides an additional award of $10,000 to faculty who receive a highly prestigious award.