Impact Award Review

Impact Awards recognize research that is of high quality with significant and direct impact on specific North Carolina citizens, communities, problems and issues.

Selection Rubric

Category Measures
Academic Record Applicant has a strong academic record as evidenced through one or more of the following: publications/presentations; awards/honors, professional experience, grants/fellowships, etc. listed on their CV and/or referenced by the advisor or nominator; scholarly, professional, or community activities that have enhanced their teaching and/or research qualifications; cross-disciplinary research endeavors.
Contribution The research project is the applicant's original research (related to their dissertation/thesis or not) or, if a group effort, the applicant's role in the project is clearly outlined and directly advances the project goals and impact
Readability Applicant's materials are well-articulated, compellingly written, and understandable to a general audience outside of their field and utilize appropriate use of text, charts, and graphs.
Research Design Applicant's research clearly contributes to the educational, economic, physical, social or cultural well-being of North Carolina communities and citizens. Applicant's research goals are clearly outlined, explore specific and important questions, acknowledge potential benefits and limitations, and are supported by appropriate quantitative or qualitative methodology.
Research Impact The research project is at or very nearly at conclusion, with specific results that are being or will soon be applied through creative partnerships with communities, technologies, clinical trials, etc to compelling issues and needs in North Carolina. The project impact is clearly articulated and references specific North Carolina populations, needs, and geographic areas as appropriate.
Research Significance The research project is innovative and contributes new knowledge or insights that are outlined and supported by advisor and nominator and will advance understanding in the applicant's field and provide direct benefit to the state of North Carolina.

Scoring Considerations

Score Scoring Considerations
1 Applicant qualifications are evident for all category measures and compelling, relevant, numerous, and clearly-articulated for all measures
1.5 Applicant qualifications are evident for all category measures and compelling, relevant, numerous, and clearly-articulated for most measures
2 Applicant qualifications are evident for most of the category measures, but are not as compelling and numerous as a "1" or "1.5" score
2.5 Applicant qualifications are evident for most of the category measures, but are not as compelling, numerous, and well-articulated as a "1" or "1.5" score
3 Applicant qualifications are lacking for some category measures or are not as compelling or clearly-articulated as a "2" or "2.5" score
3.5 Applicant qualifications are lacking for some category measures and are not as compelling or clearly-articulated as a "2" or "2.5" score
4 Applicant qualifications are insufficient for some or most of the category measures or cannot be assessed because the information provided is poorly articulated

Overview of Selection Process

Each application will be reviewed by a minimum of three reviewers, including UNC faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters, who will assign a score in each category. Scores will range from 1-4, with "1" representing the strongest score. Half-point scores (1.5, 2.5, 3.5) will be available. Scores will be standardized and averaged to create a composite score for each applicant, which will be considered for the final selection.

Contact Us

Graduate School Fellowships Office
gradfunding@unc.edu