Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge

Distinguished Scholar Award and Early Career Distinguished Scholar Award

room of peers clapping for dr. zhang

The Distinguished Scholar Award is among the highest annual honors The Ohio State University bestows on a faculty member in recognition of outstanding scholarly activity, research or creative works.

Nominations for 2024 awards are due November 21. In recognition of the different phases of a faculty member’s academic career, the university offers two separate awards. 

Distinguished Scholar Award (DSA)

The DSA honors six faculty members who demonstrate scholarly activity, research or creative works which represent exceptional achievements in their fields and who have brought distinction to themselves and Ohio State. Meet the 2023 Ohio State Distinguished Scholars. 

  • Recipients of the DSA award receive a $20,000 research grant and a $3,000 honorarium to pursue their scholarly activity. 
  • All nominations must be made by departmental committee convened by the department chair (or his/her designee). Individuals wishing to nominate a candidate should contact their department chair.
  • Previous DSA recipients and Ohio Eminent Scholars are not eligible for nomination. Nominees must have five years of employment history at Ohio State. For 2024 nominees, starting date at Ohio State must be on or before June 1, 2018.

Early Career Distinguished Scholar Award (ECDSA)

The ECDSA honors three assistant professors and early associate professors who show promise of making significant contributions to Ohio State and their field for years to come. Meet the 2023 Early Career Distinguished Scholars. 

  • Recipients of the Early Career DSA award receive a $20,000 research grant and a $2,000 honorarium to pursue their scholarly activity.
  • All nominations must be made by departmental committee convened by the department chair (or his/her designee). Individuals wishing to nominate a candidate should contact their department chair.
  • Previous DSA recipients and Ohio Eminent Scholars are not eligible for nomination. Nominees must have three years of employment history at Ohio State. For 2024 nominees, starting date at Ohio State must be on or before June 1, 2020.