President's Awards

Arizona State University is committed to fostering innovative solutions that yield real-world change. ASU 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.

Prequalification proposal submissions are open from March 3–31, 2025.

Submit prequalification proposal

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 early April 2025.

Contact Patty Rosciano for inquiries about submitted proposals.

Invited projects or programs selected will receive an awards packet detailing the second part of the application process:

• Adhering to the application submission deadline.
• Attending an informational and writers’ workshop to assist you in your submission.
• Ensuring the project meets the full award criteria.
•  Include detailed information on your application, such as contact information, abstract, and document requirements.

Please email the program coordinator for additional resources.

Submit final applications by 5 p.m., June 6, 2025. 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.

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.