[Research Corporation for Science Advancement](https://rescorp.org)

November 3, 2026

$5,000 cash prize; recognition and membership in the Cottrell Scholar community

Honors senior scientists in chemistry, physics, or astronomy for excellence in research, teaching, and mentorship, welcoming them into the Cottrell Scholar community.

--- ## Description The Robert Holland Jr. Award recognizes outstanding senior scientists in chemistry, physics, or astronomy for their commitment to creativity, excellence in research and teaching, and mentorship that helps all students reach their full potential. The award honors the legacy of Robert Holland Jr., an engineer, executive, and former RCSA Board member, and aims to amplify new voices and perspectives within the Cottrell Scholar community. Recipients join this interdisciplinary community, are invited to present at the annual Cottrell Scholar Conference, and are recognized in professional journals, furthering their impact on science education and research culture. --- ## Due Dates - November 3, 2026: Application deadline for the 2026 Robert Holland Jr. Award (full nomination/application package) --- ## Funding Amount - $5,000 cash prize to the recipient - Additional benefits: - Induction as a member of the Cottrell Scholar community - Invitation to the annual Cottrell Scholar Conference - Eligibility for Cottrell Plus initiatives (e.g., STAR, IMPACT, SEED Awards) - Recognition in professional journals --- ## Eligibility - **Nominees must:** - Have earned tenure in a Chemistry, Physics, or Astronomy department (or closely related physical sciences) at a research university or primarily undergraduate institution in the United States or Canada, or hold a faculty/researcher appointment at a national laboratory. - Be established teacher-scholars with a strong record of impact and leadership in their field and institution. - Not be previous Cottrell Scholars (prior recipients of the Cottrell Scholar Award are ineligible). - The award especially celebrates scholars whose experiences and contributions are underrepresented in the Cottrell Scholar community. --- ## Application Process - **Nomination:** Applications must be initiated by a Cottrell Scholar or previous Holland Awardee (self-nominations are not accepted, but interested candidates may request nomination). - **Required materials (compiled and submitted by the nominator via the PRISM portal):** - Letter of nomination (up to 2 pages) describing the nominee’s qualifications, accomplishments, and potential to broaden the Cottrell Scholar community. - Nominee’s statement of interest (up to 3 pages), highlighting excellence in research, teaching, leadership, and mentoring. - Nominee’s CV (up to 5 pages), tailored to the award criteria. - **Submission:** All documents must be submitted through the PRISM portal by the nominator. --- ## Additional Information - Recipients are invited to present at the summer Cottrell Scholar Conference. - Awardees gain access to further opportunities within the Cottrell Scholar community, including collaborative awards and leadership initiatives. - The award is designed to increase representation and diversity within the Cottrell Scholar community. --- ## External Links - [Robert Holland Jr. Award Program Page](https://rescorp.org/cottrell-scholars/robert-holland-jr-award) - [Cottrell Scholars Program Overview](https://rescorp.org/cottrell-scholars/) - [Cottrell Scholar Dashboard (for identifying nominators)](https://rescorp.org/cottrell-scholars/awardee-dashboard/) - [PRISM Portal (submission site)](https://prism.rescorp.org) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |--------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Email | rcsa@rescorp.org | | Phone | +1 520-571-1111 | | Contact Page | [https://rescorp.org/contact](https://rescorp.org/contact) | | Address | 4703 E. Camp Lowell Dr., Suite 201, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA |

Robert Holland Jr. Award

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