Established in 2001 to honor the late Nevada Senator Harry Reid, the prestigious Harry Reid Silver State Research Award recognizes faculty whose research is highly regarded and responsive to the needs of the community and state. One award is presented annually, carrying a $10,000 stipend. The award is presented by the President at the annual Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony in the spring.

List of Past Recipients

A dean, chair, supervisor, or NSHE peer may nominate an eligible faculty member. The nominator should notify the nominee and provide a formal nomination letter, up to two pages, directly to them. The nominee should include the letter in their application packet.

The letter should explain the nominee's accomplishments using specific examples, rather than simply listing qualifications. Address the following:

• Explain how the work positively affects Nevada’s economic growth and development, addresses a relevant social need in the community or region, or advances significant scholarship in an academic field. Contributions in one area are sufficient; all three are not required.

• Describe the quality and sustained record of research, scholarly work, or creative activity appropriate to the discipline.

• Provide evidence of recognition beyond UNLV and the significance of that recognition within the discipline.

• Describe success in obtaining grants, contracts, fellowships, or comparable competitive support, considering opportunities available in the discipline.

• Provide examples of support for students and emerging scholars, researchers, or creators and their accomplishments.

• Write for reviewers outside the nominee’s field, clearly explaining the significance and impact of the work.

Applications will be evaluated in the context of the nominee’s discipline. Research, scholarly work, and creative activity will be considered, with recognition that forms of accomplishment and opportunities for external support vary across disciplines.

• Contribution to the Award’s Purpose (40 maximum points): Significance and demonstrated impact of the nominee’s work in one or more of the following areas: positively affecting Nevada’s economic growth and development; addressing a relevant social need in the community or region; or advancing significant scholarship in an academic field. Nominees may earn full points through any one area and are not required to demonstrate contributions in all three.

• Scholarly Productivity (20 maximum points): Quality, strength, and sustained record of research contributions. Consider publications, books, patents, and other evidence of research accomplishments appropriate to the discipline.

• National and International Recognition (20 maximum points): Evidence of the nominee’s research standing beyond UNLV through honors, invited presentations, use of their research, or other recognition appropriate to the discipline.

• Competitive External Support (10 maximum points): Success in obtaining grants, contracts, fellowships, or comparable competitive support appropriate to the discipline. Consider the nominee’s role and available funding opportunities.

• Mentoring Activities and Success (10 maximum points): Quality and impact of research mentoring for students and emerging scholars or researchers, including evidence of mentees’ development and accomplishments.