Robert Holland Jr. Award for Research Excellence and Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grant

The Robert Holland Jr. Award honors senior scientists with diverse backgrounds who demonstrate excellence in research and teaching in Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy. Recipients are invited to join the Cottrell Scholar community, fostering creativity and inclusivity. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize and promotes the contributions of underrepresented scholars. Candidates are evaluated on their mentoring, leadership in diversity initiatives, and potential impact on the academic community. This prestigious award is a key initiative by the Research Corporation.

Background
The Robert Holland Jr. Award (Holland Award) recognizes and welcomes outstanding senior scientists with diverse perspectives and backgrounds into the Cottrell Scholar community. The award honors the legacy of the late Robert Holland Jr., an engineer and corporate executive who served as a member of RCSA’s Board of Directors from 1997-2010. Holland Award recipients will be invited to join the Cottrell Scholar community, bringing important new voices and ideas to the annual Cottrell Scholar Conference and Cottrell Scholar Collaborative teams.
Designed by Cottrell Scholars, this award celebrates the work of outstanding scholars with backgrounds and contributions currently underrepresented in the Cottrell Scholar community.
Cottrell Scholars are scientists dedicated to excellence in research and teaching in the fields of Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy. In the spirit of the Cottrell Scholar community, candidates need to demonstrate a consistent record of and strong commitment to creativity, excellence in research and teaching, and mentorship guided toward diversity and inclusion. Holland Award recipients become members of the Cottrell Scholar community and eligible for Cottrell Plus initiatives, including Cottrell STAR, Cottrell IMPACT, and Cottrell SEED Awards. As members of the Cottrell Scholar community, Holland recipients are invited to the annual Cottrell Scholar Conference and are eligible for Cottrell Scholar Collaborative awards.
The Holland Award consists of a $5,000 cash prize to the recipient. Award applications are initiated by nominations.
The Holland Award is highlighted in two venues. Holland awardees are invited to give a presentation at the summer Cottrell Scholar Conference, and RCSA promotes the award in professional journals.
Nominee’s strong record as a researcher
Nominee’s record as an excellent teacher/educator, including teaching awards and classroom implementation of modern and inclusive pedagogies
Evidence of the nominee as a dedicated and inclusive mentor, inside and/or outside the classroomNominee’s record in leadership roles, especially in initiatives that increase diversity, equity, and inclusion
Nominee’s interest and potential impact in bringing a diverse voice to the Cottrell Scholar Community

Eligibility

Nominees should have earned tenure in a Chemistry, Physics or Astronomy Department, or closely related disciplines in the physical sciences, at a research university or primarily undergraduate institution in the United States or Canada, and currently hold a faculty or researcher appointment in higher education or at a national laboratory. Nominees should be established teacher-scholars with a strong record of impact and leadership in their field and their institution.

Ineligibility

Previous Cottrell Scholars do not qualify for this award.