This award honors the late A. Nico Habermann, who headed NSF’s Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate and who was deeply committed to increasing the participation of people from groups minoritized in computing research.

A. Nico Habermann Award Nomination Instructions

CRA makes an award, usually annually, to a person who has made outstanding contributions aimed at increasing the numbers and/or successes of minoritized members in the computing research community. This award recognizes work in areas of government affairs, educational programs, professional societies, public awareness, and leadership that has a major impact on advancing these members in the computing research community. Recognized contributions can be focused directly at the research level or at its immediate precursors–namely, students at the undergraduate or graduate levels.

  • Questions or comments may be addressed to awards[at]cra.org.
  • Current members of the CRA Board of Directors are not eligible for this award.
  • The deadline for receipt of nominations is January 26, 2024 by midnight (EST).

Guidelines for Nominators

The nomination letter should make an argument why the candidate deserves the award, focusing on a few key contributions and adducing evidence for these claims. The nomination should not simply consist of a list of accomplishments.

The award is for outstanding contributions aimed at increasing the numbers and/or successes of minoritized members in the computing research community. The quality and extent of computing research conducted by the candidate are not taken into consideration in making this award—unless that research addresses the above goals—and material about the candidate’s research accomplishments should not be included in the nomination material.

Longevity, effectiveness, breadth, and national/international scope of service (rather than great contributions within one institution) all matter.

The nomination should include a current copy of the candidate’s curriculum vitae.

Nominators should obtain three to four letters in support of the nominee from distinguished members of the computing research community who are familiar with the candidate’s service, with particular emphasis on its national/international scope.