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University Economic Development Association 2019 Awards of Excellence

The awards offer participants the opportunity for recognition, validation, enhanced funding competitiveness and critical peer review.

Introduction

The University of Georgia’s Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, Dr. Jennifer Frum, and UGA Vice President for Research, Dr. David Lee, are seeking a more active role in University Economic Development Association (UEDA) by their respective units. Playing a more active role in UEDA includes increasing UGA’s submissions to UEDA’s annual “Awards of Excellence” program, which recognizes outstanding, leading-edge, higher education projects and initiatives promoting economic development and engagement. The awards offer participants the opportunity for recognition, validation, enhanced funding competitiveness and critical peer review. OVPPSO and the Office of Research would like to build upon UGA’s past success and seeks submissions for the UEDA Annual Summit Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2019 in Reno, Nevada.

Process

Dates

April 26: OVPPSO/Office of Research deadline

May 3: Final application deadline

July 1: Finalist notification

September: Finalist teleconference

Sept. 30 – Oct. 1: UEDA Annual Summit – finalist presentations in Reno, Nevada

Oct. 1: Awards banquet

Helpful Information

UEDA is a membership organization representing public and private higher education, the private sector, public agencies and community economic development stakeholders in North America. UGA’s Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach has an existing membership to UEDA on behalf of the entire University.

In 2018, there were 24 program finalists in North America for the six award categories. UGA had three programs make the finals and one category winner for the second year in a row. Details on the 2018 finalists and those from prior years can be found here: https://universityeda.org/value-to-members/best-practice-sharing/awards-of-excellence/awards-of-excellence-2018-finalists/

In 2015, UEDA jointly published Higher Education Engagement in Economic Development: Foundations for Strategy and Practice with the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Commission on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Economic Prosperity (APLU-CICEP).  As a result of the insights gained during this process, the UEDA Awards Committee implemented changes in 2016 that revised the awards categories and judging criteria and process to align with the principles identified in this strategic framework.

The six awards categories emphasize three core missions:  Talent, Innovation and Place as well as projects and initiatives that occur at the intersection of these missions. Details on the eligibility criteria, award process, judging criteria and awards application are here:  https://universityeda.org/value-to-members/best-practice-sharing/awards-of-excellence/

Other Ways to Participate

In addition to the “Awards of Excellence”, there are two additional ways to engage with UEDA at the Annual Summit. The first is through UEDA’s “Call for Presentations” offering presenters the opportunity to participate in concurrent breakout sessions. Please see: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4887801/UEDA-2019-Application-Portal

The second is through UEDA’s “Lightning Round”, new for 2018 and is best described as a 5- minute quick pitch followed by audience Q/A.  Please see: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4887801/UEDA-2019-Application-Portal

“Call for Presentations” and “Lightning Round” proposals will not be vetted by OVPPSO and Office of Research prior to submission to UEDA. However, OVPPSO and Office of Research appreciates being copied on your submission to UEDA – PS&O proposals to Dr. Steve Dempsey (dempsey@uga.edu) and Research proposals to Dr. Derek Eberhart (dereke@uga.edu).