Awards & Nomination Guidelines for IR-4 Team
IR-4 Headquarters presents several awards that Regional and HQ leadership are involved in nominating. Find guidelines for those awards below, or download a PDF version. A comprehensive overview of IR-4 awards can be found on our public website's Awards page. For past recipients of internal and external awards, view this Awards History spreadsheet.
National Recognition of Excellence
The National Recognition of Excellence, an internal award, is given to a field researcher, lab researcher, or quality assurance professional who goes above and beyond to keep operations moving. Nominees must demonstrate outstanding achievements well beyond normal job performance, resulting in a significant positive impact on the IR-4 Project. Once a person has received this award, they cannot be nominated again. The award is presented every three years during the National Education Conference.
- Nominated by: Regional, ARS and HQ leadership each nominate one individual every three years (6 total nominations each cycle)
- Selected by: Project Management Committee (or HQ Management if PMC delegates the authority for that year)
- Number presented: 1 to 3 presented every 3 years
- Eligible nominees: Anyone associated with IR-4, except active members of the PMC
- How to nominate: Submit the nomination form and two (or more) letters of support by the close of business on Wednesday, November 5. Letters of support may be submitted through the file upload portal or via email (ir-4_project@ncsu.edu).
- Nominations open: the summer before the National Education Conference when HQ circulates the nomination form via email and posts it below.
- Nominations close: November 5, 2025
- Presentation of award: At the National Education Conference
Meritorious Service Award
This internal award acknowledges employees who demonstrate outstanding merit in their service to IR-4. One award will be issued to an IR-4 employee from each region, ARS, and headquarters at the National Education Conference based on the following criteria: length of service to IR-4; special service to IR-4; innovation in program development and implementation; scientific merit encompassing IR-4 contributions.
- Nominated & selected by: Regional, ARS and HQ leadership
- Number presented: 1 per region, including HQ and ARS, each cycle (6 total every 3 years)
- How to nominate: IR-4 HQ emails out a plaque template that is used as the award nomination/selection form. Simply add your selected recipient’s name to the plaque template, and HQ will have the plaque prepared for presentation at the NEC.
- Nominations open: Once HQ distributes the plaque template via email the summer prior to the NEC, submissions are welcome
- Nominations close: November 5, 2025
- Presentation of award: At the National Education Conference
Technical Service Award
This internal award acknowledges employees who demonstrate outstanding technical service to IR-4 over several years.
- Nominated & selected by: Regional, ARS and HQ leadership
- Number presented: 1 per region, including HQ and ARS, each cycle (6 total every 3 years)
- How to nominate: IR-4 HQ creates a plaque template that is used as the award nomination/selection form. Add your selected recipient’s name to the plaque template, email it to ir-4_project@ncsu.edu, and HQ will have the plaque prepared for presentation at the NEC.
- Nominations open: Once HQ distributes the plaque template via email and on this page, the summer prior to the NEC, submissions are welcome.
- Nominations close: November 5, 2025
- Presentation of award: At the National Education Conference
SOAR Award
The SOAR Award is presented annually to external partners who exemplify the areas of Service, Outreach, Altruism and Research, while supporting specialty crop growers and the mission of IR-4.
- Nominated by: IR-4 team members (excluding PMC members)
- Selected by: PMC
- Nominations open: June 17, 2025
- Nominations close: July 23, 2025
- Number presented: Up to four annually
- Presentation of award: At a public meeting/event (if possible) during the fall or winter following the selection of the recipient (ideally at the Food Use or EH Workshop if they are present).
- How to nominate: visit the Awards page on ir4project.org to learn more and submit a nomination. Two (or more) letters of support are required in addition to the form.
