Bhakta Rath Research Award

Deadline & Submission: Please send your nomination electronically in PDF format to Cathy Codere (cmbanfie@mtu.edu), to be received no later than 4:00pm on Thursday, March 13, 2014.

The Bhakta Rath Research Award, established in 2010 by an endowment from Dr. Bhakta B. Rath and his wife, Sushama Rath, offers an opportunity to promote and reward excellence in scientific and engineering research in the field of physical and natural sciences and engineering.

Recipients of this award will be a PhD graduate student and their collaborating Michigan Tech faculty member. The award will provide recognition to those who conduct exceptional scientific and technological research of particular value and in anticipation of the future needs of the nation while supporting potential advances in emerging technology.

Background

The award is named in honor of Bhakta B. Rath, Michigan Technological University alumnus, Class of 1958, who has dedicated the later years of his professional career to promote science and engineering and research to enhance the nation’s intellectual capital.

Evaluation of Proposals

Consideration of the accomplishment of the research should include the discovery of a fundamentally new principle or effect, the invention of a fundamentally new method, process or technique, or the creation of new concept or capability. The research accomplishments should reflect exceptional insight, creativity and originality.

Criteria: The research accomplishments shall be judged against the criteria listed below.

        a)  Does the work have a major scientific or technological impact?
        b)  Has it created new knowledge with the potential for transformational capabilities?
        c)  Has it fundamentally improved the scientific and technological knowledge base?
        d)  Does it have the potential for transitioning the findings to an industrial sector?
        e)  Does it potentially contribute to either cost savings and / or energy savings?
        f)   Could the findings contribute to national security issues?

Proposal Format

All proposals must include a completed Required Elements Checklist, which explains the format, requirements, and ensures all neccessary documents have been submitted.

Time frame

While the award is largely intended to evaluate doctoral theses, earlier work that has supported the effort may be considered.

• A student/advisor team may be nominated for the award up to one year after the student’s date of completion of their PhD.
• A student does not necessarily have to have completed his PhD at the time of nomination. The work, however, must have been published in an archival journal prior to nomination.

Nomination Selection Process

The Vice President for Research will appoint and oversee a selection committee.

Award Notification

Recipients of the award will be notified by the Vice President for Research prior to Spring Commencement. The award will consist of a plaque and cash award in the amount of $2,000, to be presented to and shared by the graduate student and the faculty member at an appropriate University event.