Call for Proposals 2009-2010

The Academy of Distinguished Scholars (ADS) at the University of Texas at Arlington invites proposals for the 2009-2010 Public Interest Awards competition from graduate students who are currently enrolled in Texas institutions of higher education.

Beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year, the UT-Arlington ADS Public Interest Awards will be given annually for proposals that suggest ways to apply research and scholarship in the interest of the people of the State of Texas. The intent of these awards is to identify and publicly recognize ideas that have a significant potential to advance the public interest through the application of research and knowledge obtained through graduate students' educational activities in Texas institutions of higher education.

Three awards will be given each year: a primary award in the amount of $5,000 and two honorable mention awards in the amount of $2,500 each. Because a major purpose of the awards is to strengthen the links between higher education and public policy in the State of Texas, all proposals should state explicitly how the proposed idea could be implemented into public life through legislation, public policy, a special funding initiative, etc. Proposals will be evaluated on the four criteria of (1) their potential positive impact on society, (2) their creativity, (3) their viability / potential for implementation, and (4) their cost-effectiveness. Proposals can reflect any areas of academic study; they are not restricted to particular academic disciplines.

Graduate students who are interested in participating in this year's competition should begin by reviewing the eligibility criteria. Eligible students should then consult the remaining links on this page to learn how to prepare and submit their applications by the appropriate deadline(s).


Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to submit a proposal if you are:

  • currently enrolled
  • a student in good standing
  • in any graduate-level program within a Texas institution of higher education, and
  • not a previous recipient of a UT-Arlington ADS Public Interest Award

Because you must meet all four of these criteria to be eligible to participate, you will need to provide the name and contact information for a faculty sponsor who can confirm your eligibility in terms of all four criteria. This information will be obtained during the course of your on-line application.

A student who meets the eligibility criteria can submit a single proposal for the 2008-2009 competition. Multiple proposals from the same student will not be considered.


Submission Deadlines

September 1, 2009

The official launch date of the website for University of Texas Academy of Distinguished Scholars.

November 15, 2009

The ending data for acceptance of proposals to be considered for the 2009-2010 competition. The website will accept no additional proposals after this date in the 2009-2010 academic year.