Criteria for Nevada Medal Nominations

Nomination Process

The Nevada Medal nomination process is a continuing effort of soliciting and accepting nominations from universities, government agencies, corporations, private and non-profit research groups and professional societies and individuals. Nominators may print out and use this Nomination Form or write or email the address below to obtain a formal copy of the form.

To be eligible for consideration, nominators must complete the information requested in the official Nevada Medal Nomination form and send it to the Desert Research Institute. Additional information, resumes, supporting letters, etc., may be included with the completed nomination form, but the initial review process will focus on the information specifically requested on the form and which is provided by the nominator. Updated or additional information may be submitted to an already active nomination at any time.

Selection Schedule

The selection process for The Nevada Medal occurs during the spring/summer every two years (currently in odd-numbered years) and involves the selection of medalists-select for the following two award years. This schedule allows for adequate advance notification of the persons selected, and provides for the subsequent year's selection to be advanced in the event the initial year's selection is unable to accept the award for any reason.

Nominations received by the deadline of the selection year are eligible for consideration for the next four award years. Nominators are invited to update their nominations with relevant supporting materials at any time during the eligibility period.

General Selection Criteria

The following criteria are general guides for the selection process. Both the overall impact of a nominee's career as well as singular contributions are considered, with reference to the influence on the field of science or engineering, and on the significance of these contributions toward resolution or understanding of critical scientific, environmental or technical challenges.

ESSENTIAL Selection Criteria

• Consideration should be given to the quality, intensity and breadth of the contribution.
• Consideration should be given to the public perception of the quality of the individual and the award itself.
• The recipient should view the award as an honor to receive.
• The recipient should add prestige to the award.
• The recipient should be appropriately recognized by his or her peers.

Desirable Selection Criteria

• Consideration should be given to the contribution's impact, if any, on Nevada, i.e., understanding, improvement of quality of  life, control of environment or economic contribution.
• Consideration should be given to the nominee's history of public service.
• It is highly desirable the recipient be an able communicator for public and/or university presentations as a part of the award  process.
• Long-term considerations will involve application of a scientific, engineering, technology balance of recipients.

Selection Procedure

All nominations are reviewed by the Technical Review Committee composed of the Vice Presidents for Research from the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and chaired by a member of the Board of Trustees of the DRI Research Foundation who possesses a background in research or engineering. The committee determines that the candidates meet the nomination criteria and have made significant contributions to science or engineering. The committee prepares a slate of finalists for consideration by the Nevada Selection Committee.

The Nevada Medal Selection Committee is composed of the university campus presidents of the NSHE, the chair of the Technical Review Committee, the Governor of Nevada or the governor's designe and is chaired by the president of the Desert Research Institute. The Selection Committee determines the medalists-select for the following two award cycles. The committee chair then contacts the medalists-select to notify them of their selection and to determine their willingness and ability to accept the award and fulfill the committments accompanying the award.

In the event a medalist-select is unable to accept the award, or becomes unable due to scheduling, illness or death, etc., the Selection Committee chair shall call a special meeting of the comittee to select another person from the slate of finalists.

The Nevada Medal nomination process is a continuing effort of soliciting and accepting nominations from universities, government agencies, corporations, private and non-profit research groups and professional societies and individuals. Nominators may print out and use this Nomination Form or write or email the address below to obtain a formal copy of the form.

Nominations remain active for a period of four years, and may be renewed and/or updated by the nominator.

For Further Information contact:
The Nevada Medal Selection Committee
Desert Research Institute
755 E. Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119-7363

Email:Chris.Maples@dri.edu