President's Awards

Fostering innovative solutions that yield real-world change. 

Arizona State University values our employees’ innovative contributions through creative and inspiring projects and programs. The President’s Awards formally recognizes successful solutions in innovation, social embeddedness, sustainability and transdisciplinary collaboration.

These awards are opportunities to recognize and celebrate the commitment and contributions of ASU employees.

“Through the efforts of ASU employees, we are creating one of the greatest learning environments ever established anywhere. I appreciate the commitment and significant contributions demonstrated by our university employees, and I support the opportunities we have to acknowledge and celebrate the individual and collective accomplishments of our colleagues.”

— Michael M. Crow, ASU President

ASU faculty and staff may apply. Teams can develop ideas and can take many forms. Applicants must develop, complete, implement and show measurable results from their project or program. Interested applicants must be prequalified for final applications. 

Submissions must be ASU-led. While external partnerships are welcome, the primary point of contact must be an ASU employee. Final applications must include documented approval from the applicant’s supervisor or leadership — e.g., an attached email of support — and an acknowledgment that all information provided is accurate to the best of their knowledge. Any falsified information will result in automatic rejection.

Prequalification proposal submissions are closed and will reopen in January 2026.

A committee will review each submission and determine if the proposed project or program aligns with the selected award. Those who align will receive an official invitation to apply in March 2026.

Contact Patty Rosciano for inquiries about submitted proposals.

Selected projects or programs will receive an awards packet detailing the second part of the application process, which includes submitting a complete narrative that:

• Aligns with and meets the full award criteria.
• Includes detailed information on your application, such as contact information, abstract, leadership support and acknowledgement requirements by the submission deadline.
• Additional resource: Attend an informational and writers’ workshop to assist you in your submission.

All final applications will be submitted by the specified date and time. The committee will provide further information in the awards packet. A committee will review all completed submissions and select the final President’s Awards recipients. The program coordinator will notify award recipients and provide award ceremony details.

Note: This is a recognition-only ceremony, honoring recipients with an award plaque, certificates, and formal recognition from ASU’s President. There is no monetary component to the award.

Learn about previous President's Award recipients.

President’s Award for Principled Innovation

This award recognizes ASU personnel who demonstrate the university’s commitment to higher education through the development and execution of innovative projects, programs, initiatives, services and techniques. Solutions may be motivated by social, economic, artistic or intellectual challenges and should reflect a clear commitment to positive change while creating value for the university and the broader community.

President’s Award for Principled Innovation criteria

President’s Award for Sustainability

This award recognizes sustainability principles, solutions, programs or services that may serve as a catalyst or an example for adoption by other ASU units.

President’s Award for Sustainability criteria.

President’s Award for Transdisciplinary Collaboration

The Arizona State University President’s Award for Transdisciplinary Collaboration seeks to recognize multidisciplinary project teams that have undertaken exemplary trans-sectoral collaboration addressing a complex societally relevant issue. These research teams work collaboratively with actively engaged participants from different sectors — academia, business and industry, government laboratories, agencies and organizations in civil society.

President’s Award for Transdisciplinary Collaboration criteria.

President’s Medal for Social Embeddedness

This award recognizes recipients for designing and facilitating new models for positive university-community collaborations. Social embeddedness is one of ASU’s eight design aspirations, encompassing new ways of thinking about how ASU and communities can partner in mutually beneficial ways.

President’s Medal for Social Embeddedness criteria.

President's Award for Global Engagement

This award is by nomination. Please reach out to the Office of the President for more information.