Purpose
The Rustum and Della Roy Innovation in Materials Research Awards recognize research at Penn State in four categories; Early-career Faculty Members, Non-Tenure Line Researcher, Post-Doctoral Scholar, and Graduate Student, which yields innovative and unexpected results in materials.
Eligibility
Researchers having conducted interdisciplinary materials research at Penn State 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. Senior research associates and associate professors are not eligible. 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 @ $2000) – for the interdisciplinary work and a significant discovery they have contributed to the scientific field while at Penn State in their current role. For the sake of this award, Early-career Faculty Members are defined as assistant professors not yet tenured or having received tenure within the past academic year. This award requires a nomination/endorsement by the faculty’s department head in the form of a support letter. A full list of application items required:
- statement from applicant that describes current research endeavors that highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the candidate’s work; and details the level of novelty of the discovery (two-page maximum)
- support letter from Department Head to describe the importance of the innovative research
- additional support letters are not required but will be considered
- curriculum vitae
Non-Tenure Line Research Faculty and Research Staff Award (1 @ $1500) Ranks equivalent to researcher, assistant research professor, and associate research professor promoted in the past academic year, and staff based on work done at PSU in interdisciplinary research they have provided in the prior 1-2 years. This award requires 2 support letters from colleagues/supervisors that are familiar with the individual’s research and have received support. A full list of application items required:
- statement from applicant that describes current research endeavors that highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the candidate’s work; (two-page maximum)
- two support letters to describe the importance of the interdisciplinary research
- curriculum vitae or resume
Post-Doctoral Scholar (1 @ $1500) – Postdoctoral Scholars at Penn State who have worked on a successful interdisciplinary research project in the past year while at Penn State. 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 of application items required:
- statement from applicant that describes current research endeavors that highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the candidate’s work (two-page maximum)
- two support letters to describe the importance of the interdisciplinary research
- curriculum vitae
Graduate Student (2 @ $1000) – Graduate Students (current or graduated within the past year) for work on an interdisciplinary project. 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 of application items required:
- statement from applicant that describes current research endeavors that highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the candidate’s work (two-page maximum)
- two support letters to describe the importance of the interdisciplinary research
- curriculum vitae
- a list of thesis/dissertation committee members
Application
To apply go to the InfoReady site: here
Deadline
For the current year, applications must be submitted through InfoReady by September 17, 2024. The awards will be presented at Materials Day, October 29, 2024 at 4:45 p.m.
Selection Process
A selection panel comprised of Penn State faculty administrators familiar with interdisciplinary materials research will review the applications. Awards are disbursed through students’ Bursar Accounts in accordance with federal financial aid regulations.
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.