The Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Teaching, or Leadership by Contingent Faculty
The Committee on the Status of Contingent Faculty in the Profession’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Teaching, or Leadership by Contingent Faculty
Nominations are open | Deadline: May 31, 2026, 11:59 pm EST
The Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Teaching, or Leadership by Contingent Faculty recognizes scholars who have made significant contributions to the field of political science without the support of tenure-track employment.
This award is sponsored by the APSA Committee on the Status of Contingent Faculty in the Profession. The award will be presented at an event hosted by the committee at the APSA Annual Meeting and carries a cash prize of $500. Attendance at the annual meeting is not required for eligibility.
Eligibility:
Eligibility is open to political science faculty members serving in academic positions ineligible for tenure. Adjunct professors, lecturers, clinical instructors, or other individuals working in academic instruction and/or research in a contingent or non-tenure track role are eligible for this award, whether employed on a full-time or part-time basis.
Self-nominations are accepted. Nominees do not have to be members of APSA, affiliated with an institution in the United States, or an American citizen in order to be considered for an award.
Nominations may be made on the basis of single outstanding projects such as individual courses, manuscripts, or research projects; or for a body of work as a whole produced by a scholar working without long-term employment guarantees.
Nomination Procedure:
Self nominations are welcome. Nominations for this award should include the following documents:
- Letter of nomination, detailing relevant contribution made to the discipline of political science
- CV demonstrating employment in a contingent, non-tenure track position
Optional documents supporting the nomination may also be included, but are not required.
Examples of optional supporting documents include but are not limited to:
- Up to 3 letters of support or recommendation from colleagues, supervisors, students, or community members. These can be uploaded as part of your application or emailed to APSA at teaching@apsanet.org. If emailed, please ask your recommenders to use the subject line: CF Award Letter: Nominee Name
- Teaching portfolio or student evaluations evidencing excellence in teaching.
Nominations should be submitted here. For questions regarding this award, contact Michelle Allendoerfer (mallendoerfer@apsanet.org).