The Innovation in Safety Award (Student) celebrates exceptional and groundbreaking innovations that advance safety at the University of Iowa.

Eligibility

All current students enrolled in a degree program are eligible for nomination. Self-nominations are permitted. Deans, associate deans, departmental executive officers (DEOs), and supervisors are preferred nominators. Other senior faculty or staff may also serve as nominators. 

The successful nominee will:

• Have developed or implemented an innovative program or process that significantly improves the University of Iowa's safety culture. The program or process should demonstrate a creative change in safety operations, have the potential for sustainability, and be educational.
• Demonstrate a shared commitment to safe and responsible conduct in the workplace.

Nomination and selection process

Required documents:

• Letter of nomination: Attach a brief statement, no more than one page, describing the nominee’s safety innovation, its applicability to the broader campus, and its effectiveness. 
• One letter of endorsement: The letter, no more than one page, should address the nominee’s safety innovation, the applicability of the innovation to the broader campus, and its effectiveness.
• The letter of nomination and the letter of endorsement should be written by different people.
• Nominee statement: The nominee should provide a description of the safety innovation, up to three pages. Include details of the safety plan that have been implemented, demonstrate the efficacy of the plan or program, and explain how the innovative safety program or process was or can be shared with other members of the university community to improve the culture of safety.
• Nominee's curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.

Late materials will not be accepted. 

Award details

• A $1,000 prize and a commemorative gift.
• Recognition at an annual celebration held in the spring. 

Submission process and deadline

The submission deadline is Jan. 15, 2027. 

Start the nomination process. 

Select "Apply" and sign in with your HawkID and password using the blue "University of Iowa Login" button.  

For questions or assistance, contact Lauren Galliart at lauren-galliart@uiowa.edu in the Office of the Vice President for Research well before the deadline.