The Provost’s Office has released a call for several faculty awards and professorships that first require submission by departments to the CALS Dean’s Office. Please email your nominations to Kara Luedtke when ready.

Due Monday, October 19 at noon (please click the links for nomination criteria and additional details):

• Vilas Early-Career Investigator Award recognizes faculty members in approximately the first 10 years of their career. Provides between $25,000 and $100,000 in flexible funding over three years.
• Vilas Mid-Career Investigator Award recognizes faculty members approximately 10 to 20 years into their career. Provides between $25,000 and $100,000 in flexible funding over three years.
• Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship recognizes faculty members whose distinguished scholarship has advanced the confines of knowledge, and whose excellence also includes teaching or service. Provides $75,000 in flexible funding as a one-time award.

The following elements for the above should be combined in a single PDF file and emailed to Kara Luedtke:

• A brief letter of nomination from the department (two to three pages) that includes:
  • Nominee name
  • Award type
  • Amount requested (for Early- and Mid-Career awards)
  • Summary of qualifications
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae of the nominee
• Any additional relevant materials
• Name the PDF file “NomineeLastName-SchoolCollegeDivision-DateSubmitted” (for example, Smith-CALS-2025-09-29.pdf)

A second round of nominations for the Vilas awards listed above will be due to the CALS Dean’s Office later this semester.

Due Monday, November 9 at noon (please click the links for nomination criteria and additional details):

• Vilas Research Professorship provides for an adjusted teaching load, a $10,000 annual salary supplement, $50,000 for research expenses annually, and a retirement award of $2,500 annually for an individual who has served at least 15 years as a Vilas Research Professor. Create a single PDF file for each nomination that includes:
  • A brief letter (1,000 words or fewer) of nomination from the department, center or institute executive committee(s) that explains how the nominee was selected and highlights the major features of their work. The criteria are the quality, significance and productivity of the nominee’s research or creative work, and the quality and programmatic value of the nominee’s teaching and service. You may use the materials prepared for the WARF Named Professorship or similar competition in the current or previous year for this nomination (condense letters to 1,000 words or fewer).
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae and bibliography of the nominee
  • Five (5) letters of recommendation (must have three outside letters and two internal, each of 1,000 words or less)
  • Optional: If viewable online, a listing of where to find electronic versions of publications may be included. Publications should not be submitted.
  • Name the PDF file “NomineeLastName-SchoolCollegeDivision-DateSubmitted” (for example, Smith-CALS-2025-09-29.pdf)

• Bascom Professorships are awarded in recognition of outstanding teaching of undergraduates and graduates, with additional emphasis on research and other activities. Awards are for five years and will range from $12,000 to $15,000 annually. There are three Bascom Professorships available. Create a single PDF file for each nomination that includes:
  • A brief letter of nomination from the department (one to three pages) addressing the quality, significance and productivity of the nominee’s research or creative work within their field and includes the quality and programmatic value of the nominee’s teaching and service
  • The nominee’s curriculum vitae
  • Any additional relevant materials
  • Name the PDF file “NomineeLastName-SchoolCollegeDivision-DateSubmitted” (for example, Smith-CALS-2025-09-29.pdf)

• Hilldale Professorships are given to faculty who excel in scholarly activity. They have records of outstanding research or creative work and show promise of continued productivity. Awards are for five years and provide $15,000 per year for research support, which also may be used for teaching release during the academic year or for summer salary. In addition, each recipient will receive a salary allocation of $7,500 for the term of the professorship. There is one Hilldale Professorship available. Create a single PDF file for each nomination that includes:
  • A brief letter of nomination from the department (one to three pages) that includes the quality and programmatic value of the nominee’s research or creative work within their field
  • The nominee’s curriculum vitae
  • For first-time nominations, five (5) letters of recommendation (must have three outside letters and two internal; 1,000 words or less)
  • Any additional relevant materials
  • Name the PDF file “NomineeLastName-SchoolCollegeDivision-DateSubmitted” (for example, Smith-CALS-2025-09-29.pdf)