Purpose
The Rustum and Della Roy Innovation in Materials Research Awards recognize interdisciplinary materials research at Penn State that yields innovative and unexpected results, advancing the frontiers of science and engineering with meaningful societal impact. In addition to research excellence, applicants are expected to demonstrate leadership and engagement within the research community. This may include organizing or leading student-run organizations, active participation or leadership in professional societies, managing or coordinating laboratory operations, or contributing to structured improvement initiatives. Evidence of initiative, mentorship, and a positive impact on the broader research ecosystem is strongly encouraged.
Eligibility
Researchers having conducted interdisciplinary materials research, at any of Penn State's campuses, within the past year are eligible to apply; however, due to tax implication, only those who currently receive a paycheck from PSU are eligible to receive the financial part of the award. See each award class for details on eligibility. Recipients of this award are not eligible to reapply for subsequent consideration. All Roy Awards require letters of support (as described in each class) that clearly demonstrate the successful and interdisciplinary nature of the research for which they are being recognized. Candidates from all degree programs related to materials research may apply.
Four Classes of Awards
Early-Career Faculty Awards (2 @ $2,000)
These awards recognize early-career faculty for outstanding interdisciplinary materials research conducted at Penn State that has led to a significant and innovative contribution to their field.
For the purposes of this award, Early-Career Faculty are defined as assistant professors who are not yet tenured or who have received tenure within the past academic year. Nomination or endorsement by the candidate’s department head is required.
Application materials must include:
• A research statement (maximum two pages, including figures and references) describing current research activities, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of the work and the novelty and significance of the discovery
• A curriculum vitae, including presentations and publications that demonstrate the quality and impact of the research, as well as a section highlighting leadership, engagement within the research community, and mentoring activities
• A support letter from the department head addressing the importance and impact of the candidate’s innovative research
• One additional support letter (optional) may be submitted and will be considered
Non-Tenure-Line Research Faculty and Research Staff Award (1 @ $2,000)
This award recognizes non-tenure-line research faculty and research staff for outstanding materials interdisciplinary research conducted at Penn State that has resulted in innovative and impactful contributions to their field.
Eligible applicants include individuals in roles such as researcher, assistant research professor, associate research professor, and research staff.
Application materials must include:
• A research statement (maximum two pages, including figures and references) describing current research activities, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of the work and the novelty and significance of the contributions
• A curriculum vitae, including presentations and publications that demonstrate the quality and impact of the research, as well as a section highlighting leadership, engagement within the research community, and mentoring activities
• Two support letters from colleagues or supervisors who are familiar with the candidate’s work and can speak to the importance and impact of their interdisciplinary research
Postdoctoral Scholar Award (1 @ $1,500)
This award recognizes postdoctoral scholars for outstanding interdisciplinary materials research conducted at Penn State that has resulted in innovative and impactful contributions to their field. This award requires a letter of support from the Postdoctoral Scholar’s advisor and a letter of support from someone knowledgeable in the applicant's field of study. A full list off application items required:
Application materials must include:
• A research statement (maximum two pages, including figures and references) describing current research activities, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of the work and the novelty and significance of the contributions
• A curriculum vitae, including publications and presentations that demonstrate the quality and impact of the research, as well as a section highlighting leadership, engagement within the research community, and mentoring activities
• A support letter from the postdoctoral advisor addressing the importance and impact of the candidate’s research
• One additional support letter from an individual familiar with the candidate’s work and able to speak to the significance of their interdisciplinary contributions
Graduate Student Awards (2 @ $1,000)
These awards recognize graduate students for outstanding interdisciplinary materials research conducted at Penn State that has resulted in innovative and impactful contributions to their field. This award requires a letter of support from the Graduate Student’s advisor and a letter of support from staff or faculty member in another discipline or a member of student’s thesis/dissertation committee. A full list off application items required:
Application materials must include:
• A research statement (maximum two pages, including figures and references) describing current research activities, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of the work and the novelty and significance of the contributions
• A curriculum vitae, including publications and presentations that demonstrate the quality and impact of the research, as well as a section highlighting leadership, engagement within the research community (e.g., lab manager or similar team-based efforts)
• An unofficial transcript
• A list of dissertation committee members
• A support letter from the student’s advisor addressing the importance and impact of the candidate’s research
• An additional letter of support from staff or faculty member in another discipline or a member of student’s thesis/dissertation committee
Application
The Roy Awards application process will be managed through InfoReady. Apply by clicking here.
Deadline
For the current year, applications must be submitted through Infoready by September 23, 2026.
Selection Process
A selection panel comprised of Penn State faculty administrators familiar with interdisciplinary materials research will review the applications.
History of This Award
This award recognizes the contributions of Professors Rustum and Della Roy, both graduate alumni of Penn State. Rustum Roy was on the Penn State faculty for over 50 years as an Evan Pugh Professor of the Solid State; Professor of Geochemistry; and Professor of Science, Technology, and Society. Professor Roy is known worldwide as one of the nations earliest champions of interdisciplinarity, and established at Penn State, the nations first Graduate Interdisciplinary Degree Program in Solid State Technology,(now called Materials), the first independent interdisciplinary Material Research Laboratory, and the first undergraduate program in Science, technology and Society; each of which became leaders in their respective fields. He also founded two major national societies in these fields of research. Professor Roy received as many national and international honors and recognition for his work at Penn State as any colleague in the 20th Century. He was elected to the US National Academy of Engineering in 1973 and was also elected as a foreign member of the National Academies of Sweden, Japan, India, and Russia.
This award also recognizes the contributions of Della M. Roy, professor of Materials Science at Penn State University for over 40 years. Professor Roy was an early pioneer among distinguished women scientists at Penn State in applied sciences and engineering. She is the first and only woman scientists at Penn State to be elected to the US National Academy of Engineering in the 20th Century, and the first woman elected to the International Academy of Ceramics. Professor Roy’s research accomplishments made Penn State the international focus for research and publishing on Cement and Concrete including its applications in radioactive waste management.
In 2025, former students of Professor Rustom Roy demonstrated their continued commitment to his legacy through generous contributions to the Roy Award Endowment. Among these supporters was Dr. David Bish, a 1977 Penn State Ph.D. graduate in Mineralogy and Petrology, along with other Roy mentees whose careers were shaped by his vision and mentorship. These collective contributions strengthened the endowment and enabled the expansion of the award program to include staff and research faculty, broadening its impact across the Penn State materials community. This evolution reflects the inclusive spirit and interdisciplinary ethos that Rustom and Della Roy championed, and it is widely believed that they would have deeply appreciated this growth in both scope and recognition.