Early Deadline for Outstanding Undergraduate Awards

Nomination Information

The Computing Research Association is pleased to announce the fifth annual CRA Undergraduate Award program, recognizing undergraduate students who show exceptional promise in an area of computing research.

Based upon comments we have received from a number of members of the computing research community, we have made several important changes to the program for this year:

1. In order to have the results known early enough that the winners and honorable mentions can indicate the recognition they have received in their applications to graduate school and in job applications, we have moved up the timetable. Applications are now due on October 1, 1998, and results will be announced on December 1, 1998.
2. Because of the large number of high-quality applications we have received in the past for students who went unrecognized, we anticipate we will present a larger number of honorable mentions this year - to all the applicants who show real research promise.

A cash prize of $1,000 will be awarded to each of two undergraduate students, one female and one male, who are majoring in computer science, computer engineering, or an equivalent program. Other outstanding candidates will be recognized with Honorable Mention. The awards will be presented at the 1999 Federated Computing Research Conference(FCRC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The two first-prize winners will receive financial assistance toward their travel to the conference. CRA encourages home departments to provide similar assistance to other students who are recognized.

We encourage you to make this award widely known in your department. CRA hopes that your strongest undergraduates will be nominated. The award is a terrific way to recognize your best students and your department.

Nomination procedure

A nomination package consists of the following items:

1. Nomination form
2. Nominee's resume (two- page maximum)
3. Nominee's transcript of academic record
4. Verification statement signed by department chair *
5. Letters of support from two other supporting nomina- tors (two-page maximum)
6. One-page description of student's research or other achievements

*The verification statement signed by the department chair should simply state that the student is in good standing and eligible for the award.

The complete nominations must be submitted by the candidate's department chair by October 1, 1998. A department may nominate more than one candidate. Nominees must attend a university or college located in the United States or Canada.

Four copies of the nomination package should be sent to: CRA Undergraduate Award Competition
Computing Research Association
1100 Seventeenth Street NW, Suite 507
Washington, DC 20036-4632
Tel. 202-234-2111
Fax: 202-667-1066
E-mail: awards@cra.org

Criteria for selection of winners

1. Evidence of unusual talent in some area of computing research as demonstrated by one or more of the following:
   1. Significant research contributions, individually or as a member of a team.
   2. Creation of highly innovative software or hardware design.
   3. Demonstration of exceptional leadership or vision in a field of computing research.
   4. Other evidence of extraordinary interest, excellence, or commitment to computer science and engineering, including industrial experience, participation in special programs, and mentoring or tutoring of other students.

2. Outstanding academic record. Questions and inquiries involving this years Outstanding Undergraduate Awards should be directed to Kimberly Peaks and Jean Smith at awards@cra.org.