NORDP AWARDS

The National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) is powered by the excellence and impact of its members. NORDP is committed to recognizing outstanding contributions by its member-leaders, including the practice or generation of new knowledge about activities including but not limited to: 

  • strategic research advancement;
  • communication of research and research opportunities;
  • enhancement of research collaboration, team science, or research leadership capacity; and
  • proposal development. 

The NORDP Awards celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of 1) members making exemplary contributions to the organization, the profession, or the field and 2) external supporters of NORDP’s mission and the work of its members.

NORDP Awards are given to celebrate the distinctive achievements and/or contributions of individuals, collaborative groups or work teams, programs or projects, and organizations. Recipients of NORDP Awards will be recognized during the annual NORDP Research Development Conference and beyond. 

Unless otherwise indicated, nominations for NORDP Awards, including self-nominations, may be submitted by any NORDP member.


 Award Types

Several types of NORDP Awards are available. Depending on the number and quality of nominations received, multiple awards of the same type may be made while no awards may be given in some categories in some years. Across award types, honorees will be distinguished by a body of professional service and accomplishment that enriches the organization and the research development community. 

In most cases, nominees should be recognized leaders within the NORDP Community. Nominees should embody deep leadership commitment within the profession or field and/or throughout the broader research development community.

Examples of such commitment include, but are not limited to, the following: serving as a NORDP volunteer; chairing a committee; serving on the board of directors; representing the organization externally; advancing the practice or the field; providing exceptional leadership in a research development functional unit; supporting the career development or mentoring of members; and exemplifying the values of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. 

Examples of activities deserving of recognition include: contributing to the career development or mentoring of others; exemplifying the values of diversity and inclusive excellence, generating new knowledge and sharing best practices to advance the practice or field of research development; providing exceptional leadership in a research development function or office; and offering outstanding service to NORDP.

Nominations, including self-nominations, are sought from NORDP members for the following awards:

  • Innovation Award: Recognizes individuals, groups, or teams; functional units; or organizations who leverage unique skills or resources to kick-start innovation in research development in ways that generate evidence of promise or demonstrable results. Innovators leverage partnerships, experiment with tools and techniques, or generate and share knowledge to advance NORDP and the work of its members. A list of Innovation Award Recipients is available here
Eligibility: All NORDP members are eligible for individual or group nomination.
  • Leadership Award: Honors a member, a group of members or a team, a research development unit, or an organization that demonstrates exceptional leadership and/or a deep commitment to volunteerism in ways that advance the profession or field of research development. A list of Leadership Award recipients is available here.                
Eligibility: All NORDP members are eligible for individual or group nomination.
  • Mentoring Award: Celebrates an individual NORDP member’s unique ability to provide an engaging, supportive, and inclusive environment for professional and/or personal growth through mentorship in the research development community. This award is bestowed with the acknowledgement that effective mentoring occurs through formal and informal channels and may vary in style and substance. A list of Mentoring Award recipients is available here
Eligibility: All NORDP members are eligible for individual nomination.
  • NORDP Fellow: Recognizes the long-term accomplishments of members who have made sustained contributions to NORDP and worked tirelessly to advance research development as a profession and/or as a field. Status as a NORDP Fellow is the highest professional distinction the organization may bestow on a member. No more than one percent of NORDP members will be named Fellows annually. A list of NORDP Fellows is available here.                                                                                        
Eligibility: Individuals who have maintained an active NORDP membership for at least five consecutive years are eligible for nomination. Current members of NORDP’s board of directors are ineligible to be nominated for this award.
  • Rising Star Award: Recognizes the outstanding, early volunteer contributions to NORDP and strong potential for future contributions to the organization and the profession or the field by up to three members annually. Rising Star Awards recipients receive a conference registration waiver for the annual NORDP Research Development Conference held subsequent to their award. A list of Rising Star Award recipients is available here.                                                                                        
Eligibility: NORDP members are eligible for individual nomination. Current and past members of NORDP’s board of directors are ineligible for this award.
  • Volunteer of the Year Award: Celebrates a NORDP member who has made an exceptional volunteer contribution to the organization during the past 12 months. Recognizes the accomplishments of an individual who has performed in a way that is conspicuously above and beyond what may be reasonably expected with respect to volunteer duties and responsibilities. A list of Volunteer of the Year Award recipients is available here.                                                                                                      
Eligibility: NORDP members are eligible for individual nomination. Current members of NORDP’s board of directors are ineligible for this award.

Prior recipients of an individual award type are not eligible for the same award. Individuals nominated for more than one award type will not receive multiple awards in the same year.

NORDP’s board of directors nominates individuals for and selects the recipients of two awards:

  • President's Commendation: A list of President's Commendation recipients is available here.

 

  • Holly J. Falk-Krzesinski Service Award: Named for NORDP’s founding President, this award is voted on by the board of directors and given annually to a NORDP Member in recognition of outstanding service to the organization, to the research development profession or field, and to peers. Any member in good standing is eligible for nomination. Holly J. Falk-Krzesinski Service Award recipients receive a conference registration waiver for the annual NORDP Research Development Conference held subsequent to their award. A list of Holly J. Falk-Krzesinski Service Award recipients is available here.
  • Research Development Champion Award: Honorees are distinguished by their advocacy for the critical role of research development and/or wider efforts to advance the research enterprise. Eligible nominees are visible external supporters of NORDP and its members; they are not required to be research development professionals or NORDP members. A list of Research Development Champion Award recipients is available here.

All members may suggest nominees for the Holly J. Falk-Krzesinski Service Award and/or the Research Development Champion Award to any member of NORDP’s board of directors.


 

Benefits of Recognition

Recipients of NORDP Awards will be honored during the annual NORDP Research Development Conference and beyond. For example, NORDP will work with awardees to highlight their work and share their stories of research development excellence and impact on the NORDP website and through social media. NORDP also will work to ensure recipients’ organizations are informed of award receipt. 


 

2024 NORDP Awards Timeline

  • Call for nominations issued: November 27
  • Nomination deadline: January 26
  • NORDP Awards announcement: April 28 - May 1 (NORDP’s Annual Research Development Conference)

 

Nomination Guidelines 

Nominations for NORDP Awards may be submitted by a single nominator or two co-nominators. In addition to a nomination statement (required), nomination packages also may contain support letters and additional evidence. Specific requirements for all nomination components are described below:

·        Nomination statement (required): A nomination statement of no more than 750 words. Nominators are encouraged to prepare their statements in a word processing program to copy and paste the statement into InfoReady. Nomination statements must:

o   identify the nominee(s) and the recommended award type.

 

o   describe the distinctive contributions and accomplishments of the nominee(s), including how they have advanced NORDP’s mission, strengthened research development practice or developed knowledge about the field, and served peers through mentorship or service.

 

o   offer detailed rationale for the nomination and include specific information about why the nominee(s) is/are deserving of recognition given the purpose of the suggested award type.

 

  • Support letters (optional): Nominators have the option of including up to two additional support letters. Support letters may be provided by other NORDP members or individuals outside the organization (e.g., institutional colleagues, a supervisor, faculty, etc.). Support letters must be signed by a single supporter or two co-supporters and should amplify or reinforce the case for recognition made by the nominator(s). Support letters may be no more than one 8.5 x 11” page in length with a minimum of 1” margins and a font size of at least 11 points.

 

  • Additional evidence (optional): Up to three additional pages of supporting documentation may be included. Examples of additional evidence may include items like links to resources/products created by the nominee(s), project or program descriptions or evaluations, and other forms of recognition (e.g., thank you notes or messages). 

 


Submission Process

Nomination information and materials should be submitted via InfoReady no later than 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST on Friday, January 26, 2024. Late nominations will not be accepted, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.


 

Review Process and Selection Criteria

Nominations will be reviewed and ranked by an ad hoc team of reviewers drawn from a purposeful cross-section of NORDP members.  The ad hoc review team will make award recommendations about award recipients, and the board of directors will approve the final selections.

If you would like to volunteer to serve as a reviewer of NORDP Awards nominations, please send a message to [email protected].

Nominations for NORDP Awards will be rated using the scoring rubric established for each award type. These rubrics are included within the Appendices attached to this call for nominations.


 

Additional Information

For additional information about NORDP Awards, please contact [email protected].


 

Appendix 1: Scoring Rubric – Innovation Award

 

SCORING RUBRIC – INNOVATION AWARD

Purpose: NORDP’s Innovation Award recognizes individuals, groups, or teams; functional units; or organizations who leverage unique skills or resources to kick-start innovation in research development and advance the profession or the field in ways that generate evidence of promise or demonstrable results. Innovators leverage partnerships, experiment with tools and techniques, or generate and share knowledge to advance NORDP and the work of its members.

SCORE

SELECTION CRITERIA

Documented evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

Alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Innovation Award.

Evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

0

The nomination contains no evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains no evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Innovation Award.

The nomination contains no evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

1

The nomination contains little evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains little evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Innovation Award.

The nomination contains little evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

2

The nomination contains moderate evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains moderate evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Innovation Award.

The nomination contains moderate evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

3

The nomination contains considerable evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains considerable evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Innovation Award.

The nomination contains considerable evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

 


 

 Appendix 2: Scoring Rubric – Leadership Award

 

SCORING RUBRIC – LEADERSHIP AWARD

Purpose: NORDP’s Leadership Award honors a member, a group of members or a team, a research development unit, or an organization that demonstrates exceptional leadership and/or a deep commitment to volunteerism in ways that advance the profession or field of research development.

SCORE

SELECTION CRITERIA

Documented evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

Alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Leadership Award.

Evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

0

The nomination contains no evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains no evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Leadership Award.

The nomination contains no evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

1

The nomination contains little evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains little evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Leadership Award.

The nomination contains little evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

2

The nomination contains moderate evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains moderate evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Leadership Award.

The nomination contains moderate evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

3

The nomination contains considerable evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains considerable evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Leadership Award.

The nomination contains considerable evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

 


 

 Appendix 3: Scoring Rubric – Mentoring Award

 

SCORING RUBRIC – MENTORING AWARD

Purpose: The NORPD Mentoring Award celebrates an individual NORDP member’s unique ability to provide an engaging, supportive, and inclusive environment for professional and/or personal growth through mentorship in the research development community.

SCORE

SELECTION CRITERIA

Documented evidence of a unique ability to provide engaging, supportive, and inclusive mentoring.

Alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the Mentoring Award.

Evidence about the extent to which the nominee has supported or will support professional and/or personal growth through mentoring in the research development community.

0

The nomination contains no evidence of a unique ability to provide engaging, supportive, and inclusive mentoring.

The nomination contains no evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the Mentoring Award.

The nomination contains no evidence about the extent to which the nominee has supported or will support professional and/or personal growth through mentoring in the research development community.

1

The nomination contains little evidence of a unique ability to provide engaging, supportive, and inclusive mentoring.

The nomination contains little evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the Mentoring Award.

The nomination contains little evidence about the extent to which the nominee has supported or will support professional and/or personal growth through mentoring in the research development community.

2

The nomination contains moderate evidence of a unique ability to provide engaging, supportive, and inclusive mentoring.

The nomination contains moderate evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the Mentoring Award

The nomination contains moderate evidence about the extent to which the nominee has supported or will support professional and/or personal growth through mentoring in the research development community.

3

The nomination contains considerable evidence of a unique ability to provide engaging, supportive, and inclusive mentoring.

The nomination contains considerable evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the Mentoring Award

The nomination contains considerable evidence about the extent to which the nominee has supported or will support professional and/or personal growth through mentoring in the research development community.

 


 

Appendix 4: Scoring Rubric – NORDP Fellow

 

SCORING RUBRIC – NORDP Fellow

Purpose: Designation as a NORDP Fellow is made to recognize the long-term accomplishments of members who have made sustained contributions to NORDP and worked tirelessly to advance research development as a profession and/or as a field. Status as a NORDP Fellow is the highest professional distinction the organization may bestow on a member.

SCORE

SELECTION CRITERIA

Documented evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

Alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the NORDP Fellow designation.

Evidence about the extent to which the nominee has served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

0

The nomination contains no evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains no evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the NORDP Fellow designation.

The nomination contains no evidence about the extent to which the nominee has served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

1

The nomination contains little evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains little evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the NORDP Fellow designation.

The nomination contains little evidence about the extent to which the nominee has served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

2

The nomination contains moderate evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains moderate evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the NORDP Fellow designation.

The nomination contains moderate evidence about the extent to which the nominee has served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

3

The nomination contains considerable evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains considerable evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the NORDP Fellow designation.

The nomination contains considerable evidence about the extent to which the nominee has served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

 


Appendix 5: Scoring Rubric – Rising Star Award

 

SCORING RUBRIC – RISING STAR AWARD

Purpose: The Rising Star Award is bestowed in recognition of outstanding, early volunteer contributions to NORDP and strong potential for future contributions to the organization and the profession or the field.

SCORE

SELECTION CRITERIA

Documented evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

Alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Rising Star Award.

Evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

0

The nomination contains no evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains no evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Rising Star Award.

The nomination contains no evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

1

The nomination contains little evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains little evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Rising Star Award.

The nomination contains little evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

2

The nomination contains moderate evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains moderate evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Rising Star Award.

The nomination contains moderate evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

3

The nomination contains considerable evidence of ongoing commitment to advancing the profession or field of research development.

The nomination contains considerable evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee(s) and the purpose of the Rising Star Award.

The nomination contains considerable evidence about the extent to which the nominee(s) has/have served or will impact NORDP, the research development profession or field, and peers in research development.

 


Appendix 6: Scoring Rubric – Volunteer of the Year Award

 

SCORING RUBRIC – VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Purpose: The Volunteer of the Year Award celebrates a NORDP member who has made an exceptional volunteer contribution to the organization during the past 12 months. Recognizes the accomplishments of an individual who has performed in a way that is conspicuously above and beyond what may be reasonably expected with respect to volunteer duties and responsibilities.

SCORE

SELECTION CRITERIA

Documented evidence of exceptional volunteer contribution to NORDP during the past 12 months.

Alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Evidence about the extent to which the nominee has served NORDP, performing in a way that is conspicuously above and beyond what may be reasonably expected with respect to volunteer duties and responsibilities.

0

The nomination contains no evidence of exceptional volunteer contribution to NORDP during the past 12 months.

The nomination contains no evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the Volunteer of the Year Award.

The nomination contains no evidence about the extent to which the nominee has served NORDP, performing in a way that is conspicuously above and beyond what may be reasonably expected with respect to volunteer duties and responsibilities.

1

The nomination contains little evidence of exceptional volunteer contribution to NORDP during the past 12 months.

The nomination contains little evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the Volunteer of the Year Award.

The nomination contains little evidence about the extent to which the nominee has served NORDP, performing in a way that is conspicuously above and beyond what may be reasonably expected with respect to volunteer duties and responsibilities.

2

The nomination contains moderate evidence of exceptional volunteer contribution to NORDP during the past 12 months.

The nomination contains moderate evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the Volunteer of the Year Award.

The nomination contains moderate evidence about the extent to which the nominee has served NORDP, performing in a way that is conspicuously above and beyond what may be reasonably expected with respect to volunteer duties and responsibilities.

3

The nomination contains considerable evidence of exceptional volunteer contribution to NORDP during the past 12 months.

The nomination contains considerable evidence of alignment between the distinctive accomplishments of the nominee and the purpose of the Volunteer of the Year Award.

The nomination contains considerable evidence about the extent the nominee has served NORDP, performing in a way that is conspicuously above and beyond what may be reasonably expected with respect to volunteer duties and responsibilities.