Nominations are now being accepted!

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Deadline: June 19, 2025

The annual Dean of Science Awards for Graduate Leadership are designed to honor outstanding graduate students within the Faculty of Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Established in 2023, these awards recognize exceptional contributions to campus and community life by graduate students.

Award Details:

• Recipients: two recipients will be selected each year – one master’s student and one doctoral student – enrolled in a graduate program in the Faculty of Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland. Exceptionally, there may be more than two award winners in a given year.
• Prize: Each award includes a framed certificate and a cash prize of $500.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Academic Leadership: Demonstrated through academic performance, mentoring, teaching assistantships, or managing projects/labs.
• Community or Volunteer Leadership: Shown through long-term contributions to student governance, student societies, professional societies, or efforts that enhance peer well-being.
• Entrepreneurial Achievement: Involves creating and developing initiatives such as startups, charitable activities, or new conferences.
• Personal Achievement: Overcoming significant personal challenges while maintaining academic excellence.
  
  Please note: The award is open to all full-time current (enrolled at the time of nomination) master’s and doctoral students in the Faculty of Science who have not previously received the award.

Nomination Process:

• Who Can Nominate: Nominations can be submitted by the student themselves (self-nomination), or by staff, faculty, and other students in the Faculty of Science. Ideally, nominations should come from multiple sources.
• Components Required: Each nomination must include a cover letter addressing the eligibility criteria, a resume, academic transcripts, and two reference letters. Departments may nominate up to one MSc and one PhD student.
• Submission: Send nominations to melanief@mun.ca with the subject line “Graduate Leadership Awards” by June 19, 2025.
  
  Please note: The award will normally be based on a continued pattern of exemplary performance over time; however, candidates who have made outstanding contributions or achievement in one particular activity will also be considered. Unsuccessful nominations may be carried over for one additional year at the request of the nominators, assuming the applicant is still eligible.

Selection Process:

• Adjudication: Nominations will be reviewed by Departmental Heads and Associate Deans (or their delegates), who will evaluate based on resourcefulness, initiative, dedication to high standards, support of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness, and overall impact on the Faculty of Science. 

  They shall establish their own process for adjudication of the nomination files, and may ask for any additional documentation necessary for evaluating any candidate.

• Final Decision: Recommendations will be made to the Dean, whose decision will be final.