Research & Innovation Awards
Recognizing research, scholarship, innovation and creative activity.
The University of Louisville's Research & Innovation Awards recognize the faculty, staff and philanthropic partners whose ideas, discoveries, scholarship and support are transforming their fields and driving meaningful impact.
From groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs, to translating research into real-world solutions, enriching our understanding through creative works, and accelerating innovation through philanthropic support, these awards celebrate the individuals and teams who are dedicated to advancing knowledge and improving our world.
Explore the award categories below and help us honor the colleagues and philanthropic partners whose work inspires excellence across the university.
Celebrating Research Excellence
Honor the faculty, staff and partners whose contributions are shaping the future through research, scholarship, innovation, creative activity and philanthropic support. Nominations are due on or before September 25, 2026.
Awards Open for Nomination
This award recognizes a well-established researcher or scholar who has made a significant impact in their field during FY 2026 through outstanding non-commercialized research and scholarly achievements such as publications, grants, national or international recognition, industry partnerships, or community-engaged projects. To be eligible, the nominee must have been employed full-time at UofL for at least three (3) years.
This award recognizes an established innovator who has made a significant impact in their field during FY 2026 by turning research into real-world outcomes. Examples include patents, licenses, participation in innovation or translational programs, and the creation of startup companies. The recipient will have made important contributions to the economic, societal, or cultural growth of UofL, Kentucky, and the nation. To be eligible, the nominee must have worked full-time at UofL for at least three (3) years.
This award recognizes an early-career researcher or scholar who has demonstrated significant impact and promise in their field during the previous fiscal year through achievements such as publications, grants, industry partnerships, and leadership. To be eligible for this award, the researcher must be a tenure-track assistant or associate professor within their first five (5) years of research or academic employment at a higher education institution.
This award is given to an individual or team producing exemplary and impactful creative works in FY2026. Creative works are research outputs generated through creative and scholarly activities, including writing, artistic production, composition, design, recording, performance, and curation.
The Research Philanthropist of the Year Award recognizes an individual, family, foundation, corporation, or organization whose exceptional philanthropic support has significantly advanced the university's research mission. This award honors visionary donors whose generosity has enabled groundbreaking discoveries, fostered innovation, expanded research opportunities for faculty and students, and strengthened the university's capacity to address society's most pressing challenges.
Recipients demonstrate a commitment to the transformative power of research through meaningful financial investments, strategic partnerships, advocacy, and long-term engagement that elevate the university's research enterprise and its impact on local, national, and global communities.
Nominees should demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:
- Transformational Philanthropic Support: Provided significant financial contributions that have advanced research initiatives, centers, institutes, programs, or projects.
- Visionary Investment in Innovation: Supported emerging areas of discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration, or innovative research that has the potential for significant societal impact.
- Sustained Commitment: Demonstrated a history of engagement and ongoing support for the university's research mission.
- Catalytic Impact: Enabled faculty, staff, and students to pursue new opportunities, secure additional funding, expand research capacity, or accelerate scientific and scholarly achievements.
- Partnership and Advocacy: Served as a champion for university research by fostering collaborations, increasing awareness, and encouraging additional investment in research programs.
- Community and Societal Benefit: Contributed to research efforts that improve quality of life, drive economic development, address community needs, or create positive change on a broader scale.
Eligible nominees may include individuals, families, foundations, corporations, or organizations whose philanthropic leadership has made a significant and lasting impact on the university's research enterprise.