CASNR Engagement Award
The CASNR Engagement Award recognizes a faculty member, staff member, or group whose work exemplifies outstanding engagement that advances the land-grant mission of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and demonstrates meaningful impact beyond the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The CASNR Engagement Award will provide one $1,000 award to a faculty member, staff member, or group in CASNR. Please submit a complete nomination packet including the 2-page nomination and letters of support: up to three from faculty, staff, students, or other stakeholders the nominee interacts with.
Consistent with the Carnegie Foundation’s definition, engagement is understood as collaboration between institutions of higher education and their broader communities (local, regional/state, national, or global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity. Engagement integrates university expertise with public and private partners to enrich scholarship, research, teaching, and learning; prepare engaged citizens; address critical societal challenges; and contribute to the public good.
Examples of engagement activities may include, but are not limited to, outreach programming, community-based or participatory research, industry or agency partnerships, policy engagement, co-created educational initiatives, and interdisciplinary or team-based efforts that generate tangible outcomes for communities and stakeholders.
Eligibility
Any full-time faculty member, staff member, or group within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is eligible for nomination. Group nominations may include interdisciplinary or cross-unit teams.
Evaluation Criteria
Nominations will be evaluated based on:
- Demonstrated impact beyond the University
- Evidence of reciprocal, mutually beneficial partnerships
- Integration with CASNR’s teaching, research, and/or extension missions
- Sustainability, innovation, or potential for broader application
- (Optional) Meaningful involvement of students in engagement activities
Nominations
A complete nomination includes:
- A 2-page nomination letter
Up to three one-page letters of support, which may include letters from community or external partners that speak to the impact and value of the engagement activities
Nominations are due on March 6, 2026.