University of South Dakota

The annual President's Awards for Research Excellence and Innovation & Entrepreneurship recognize outstanding research achievements by our faculty. The selections are a strong endorsement of each researcher's creativity and innovation, and an honor for the university to bestow. 

Each award recipient receives a $3,000 grant and a plaque.

President's Awards for Research Excellence:

These awards recognize research and creative activity that make extraordinary contributions to knowledge and artistic expression and bring positive national visibility to USD. Evidence for accomplishment includes but is not limited to: publications, grants, high-status presentations, juried exhibitions, service on prestigious editorial boards and grant review panels, and national honors. Early/mid-career faculty nominees must be an assistant or associate professor, employed as a USD faculty member for at least one year, with less than eight years of faculty rank, and having research as a significant component of workload. Established faculty nominees must be an associate or full professor, having faculty rank for a minimum of 8 years with at least 3 years as USD faculty, and assigned research as a significant component of workload.

President's Awards for Innovation & Entrepreneurship:

The award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship recognizes applied research, commercialization, and economic development activities that significantly advance USD. It recognizes innovative thinking and significant efforts to realize the commercial potential of the innovation for the collective benefit of society, the university, the state's economy, and the inventor/entrepreneur. Nominees must be full-time faculty or full time staff employed by USD.

Past Winners:  Research Excellence - New or Mid-Career Faculty

Past Winners:  Research Excellence - Established Faculty

Past Winners:  Innovation & Entrepreneurship