In 1994, Research Corporation initiated the Cottrell Scholar Award for early career faculty who have demonstrated the ability to mount a strong research program, and a commitment to pursuing a career as a teacher-scholar. The award is open to astronomy, biochemistry, biophysics, chemistry, or physics faculty (but not in a school of medicine or engineering) in the third year of tenure track appointments at PhD-granting institutions.
Successful proposals reflect faculty plans for improvement of undergraduate science education on their campus and incorporate understanding of the importance of improving pedagogy to attract and retain students in the sciences. The long-term goal of the program is to build a Cottrell Scholar community that will contribute to the development of leaders who can catalyze departmental change to enhance science education in R-1 universities. The program encourages initiatives that support collaborations across disciplines.