The External Awards and Recognition Office supports University of Iowa faculty in pursuing awards and honors from organizations outside the university. 

We partner with UI faculty, departments, and colleges to elevate faculty profiles on a national and international scale, enhancing the university's reputation and showcasing our faculty's achievements in research, creative scholarship, teaching, and service. 

External awards and honors represent valuable opportunities for faculty to enhance their scholarly reputation, garner additional funding, and expand the impact of their work. 

Our office provides tailored guidance and resources to align external award opportunities with faculty career goals. 

Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony

Tuesday, May 5

The third annual university-wide Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 5, at 4:30 p.m. in Hancher Auditorium. The program will be followed by a reception in the Stanley Café, and both are open to the public. 

The Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony provides an opportunity for the entire university community to honor awardees in one large celebratory event.

Featured External Awards

NAE Membership

Nomination cycle open Feb. - April, 2026

Election to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions in engineering practice, research, or education; new and developing fields of technology; traditional fields of engineering; or engineering leadership of one or more major endeavors. Nominations for members must be made by a current member of the NAE, with supporting references from two additional active or emeritus NAE members.

NEH Fellowships

Application open Nov. 20, 2025 - April 10, 2026

National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships are competitive awards supporting exceptional research and writing. Fellows receive up to $60,000 to pursue projects such as books, articles, digital materials, or critical editions. Open to scholars across disciplines, these six to twelve-month fellowships provide time for focused research.

AAAS Fellows

Nomination cycle open Jan - April 2026

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) honorary fellowships are bestowed upon members by their peers for their efforts to advance science or its applications. Eligibility for nomination requires an individual to have been a continuous member of AAAS for four years by the end of the calendar year in which they would be elected. 

News and Highlights

Welsh earns 2025 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award

Campbell earns Horwitz Prize for muscular dystrophy discoveries

Dedeaux-Norris wins prestigious Rome Prize

Stone elected to the National Academy of Medicine

Faculty Awards & Honors

Learn more about our exceptional faculty, which includes National Academy Members, Guggenheim Fellows, and national and international award winners.