This article is published in the October 2016 issue.

Nominations Open for CRA Distinguished Service and A. Nico Habermann Awards


CRA LogoThe Computing Research Association invites nominations for the 2017 CRA Distinguished Service Award and A. Nico Habermann Award.

Distinguished Service Award

CRA presents an award, usually annually, to a person who has made an outstanding service contribution to the computing research community. This award recognizes service in the areas of government affairs, professional societies, publications or conferences, and leadership that has a major impact on computing research.

Guidelines for Nominators

The quality and extent of computing research conducted by the candidate is not taken into consideration in making this award, and material about the candidate’s research accomplishments should not be included in the nomination material. Service considerations are limited to those that relate to the computing research community. Thus, for example, government service on behalf of the computing research community or educating graduate students for research careers would count. However, the selection committee will not give consideration to service in undergraduate education unless it relates directly to computing research.

Viable candidates are likely to be senior members who have been members of editorial boards and planning or programming committees. While it is not objectionable to mention this kind of service in the nomination, it is not likely to be a key factor in the selection process unless the applicant’s service is well above and beyond that of other senior members.

Longevity, effectiveness, breadth, and community-wide scope of service are all important in the award selection. The nomination letter must make an argument why the candidate deserves the award, focusing on a few key contributions and providing evidence for these claims. The nomination should not simply consist of a list of accomplishments.

Nominators must obtain three to four letters of support from distinguished members of the computing research community who are familiar with the candidate’s service accomplishments and must include a copy of the candidate’s current curriculum vitae. Submit nominations here.

Nico Habermann Award

CRA presents an award, usually annually, to a person who has made outstanding contributions aimed at increasing the numbers and/or successes of underrepresented groups 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 groups 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.

Guidelines for Nominators

Longevity, effectiveness, breadth, and community-wide scope of service, rather than great contributions within one institution, are important in the award selection. The nomination letter must make an argument for why the candidate deserves the award, focusing on a few key contributions and providing evidence for these claims. The nomination should not simply consist of a list of accomplishments. Nominators must 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 community-wide scope. The nomination must include a copy of the candidate’s current curriculum vitae. Submit nominations here.

Questions or comments may be addressed to awards@cra.org.

The deadline for receipt of nominations is December 9, 2016.

Current members of the CRA board of directors are not eligible for these two awards.