The Teaching Excellence Award recognizes an outstanding graduate teaching assistant who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to student learning, instructional support, and academic excellence. This award honors graduate students who go above and beyond in their instructional roles, making a significant impact on students and contributing meaningfully to the university’s educational mission. 

A committee of faculty, staff, and students will select the recipient based on excellence and innovation in teaching, as well as demonstrated impact on student success.

Application process and forms will be posted here in the fall. The award carries a cash prize and will be announced at the graduate students’ appreciation dinner.

The Research Excellence Award recognizes an outstanding graduate research assistant who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and excellence in research. This award honors graduate students who make significant contributions to research projects, advance scholarly inquiry, and support the university’s research mission. 

A committee of faculty, staff, and students will select the recipient based on research excellence, collaborative spirit, originality, and the impact of their contributions to their field or research team.

Application process and forms will be posted here in the fall. The award carries a cash prize and will be announced at the graduate students’ appreciation dinner.

The Service Excellence Award honors a graduate student who has made exceptional contributions to the university community through leadership, service, and peer support. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive environment for fellow students, staff, and faculty. 

A committee of faculty, staff, and students will select the recipient based on evidence of community engagement, leadership, and positive impact on the graduate student experience.

Application process and forms will be posted here in the fall. The award carries a cash prize and will be announced at the graduate students’ appreciation dinner.

The Advisor of the Year Award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to graduate student mentorship and advising. This award honors advisors who go above and beyond to support students’ academic, professional, and personal development, and who foster an environment of respect, inclusion, and intellectual growth.

A committee of faculty, staff, and students will select the recipient based on excellence in mentoring, commitment to student success, and lasting impact on the graduate student experience.

The award carries a cash prize and will be announced during the 2026 Hooding Ceremony. Application process and forms will be posted here in the Spring semester.

Engineering & Science:

• Belsky Award for Computational Sciences and Engineering: Awarded annually to graduate students in the School of Engineering to support research activities in computational science and engineering (i.e. travel, materials, supplies, conference fees, etc.)
• The Karen & Lester Gerhardt Prize in Science and Engineering: Awarded to honor a full-time engineering or science doctoral candidate, who by the originality and insight of his or her work emphasizes the tradition of excellence that is Rensselaer.  This prize is for a full-time engineering or science doctoral candidate and the thesis must have been accepted by OGE since June 2022. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)

Engineering:

• The Bimal K. Malaviya Graduate Teaching Assistant Award: Awarded to recognize outstanding contributions made by graduate teaching assistants in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering. (Contact Milles7@rpi.edu)
• The Michael and Irene Podowski Graduate Student Award: Awarded annually to a graduate student who, prior to finishing the third year of his/her studies, will have submitted a technical paper to an archival journal. (Contact Milles7@rpi.edu)
• The Eleanor Alexander Stribling Female Undergraduate/Graduate Student Award: Awarded annually, in the name of Eleanor Alexander Stribling, to support undergraduate or graduate female students engaged in or accepted for research in Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering. (Contact Milles7@rpi.edu)
• The Zelda and David G. Gisser Prize in Biomedical Engineering (2002):  Awarded annually to a biomedical engineering graduate student whose dissertation is considered exemplary in the area of experimental work. Established by Zelda Gisser in memory of her husband, David G. Gisser. (Contact rowsej@rpi.edu)
• Most Valuable Teaching Assistant Award- Biomedical Engineering: Awarded annually to a graduate student nominated by the course instructor (rowsej@rpi.edu)
• The Phillip Groll Teaching Assistant/Mentor Award Program: Awarded to outstanding ChBE students who have served as teaching assistants in a course or mentored undergraduate student(s) doing research in the department. Two TA awards (one for Spring and one for Fall semester) and one Mentor award are presented each year.
• The William N. Gill Award: Awarded to the Ph.D. candidate whose dissertation research most closely reflects Professor Gill’s commitment to chemical engineering theory and practice.  The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent research skills as well as integrity, creativity, reliability, enthusiasm, independent and critical thinking, and self-motivation.  Preferably, the topic will be of benefit to society, with a positive impact on our environment, and make a fundamental contribution to chemical and biological engineering theory and practice.
• The Thomas Archibald Bedford Prize:  Awarded at Commencement to a graduate student in Civil Engineering who has demonstrated high scholastic ability and has made a substantial contribution to the field. The selection is made by the Provost upon recommendations from the Graduate School. The Thomas Archibald Bedford Prize was established in 1964 by Clay P. Bedford in memory of his father. (Contact Rodend3@rpi.edu)
• Allen B. DuMont Prize: Awarded to an ECSE graduate student who has demonstrated high scholastic ability and has made a substantial contribution to that field. (Contact ungarm2@rpi.edu)
• Charles M. Close '62 Doctoral Prize: Awarded to an ECSE doctoral candidate who has done outstanding work as a researcher and a teacher and who shows promise of a distinguished academic or research career. (Contact ungarm2@rpi.edu)
• Jerry Dziuba Graduate Service Award: Awarded annually to up to two graduate students from the ECSE department in recognition of their altruistic service, dedication and commitment to improving the ECSE graduate student experience at RPI. (Contact ungarm2@rpi.edu)
• Alireza Seyedi Best TA Award: Awarded annually to an ECSE graduate student who demonstrates outstanding dedication and performance in their duties as a Teaching Assistant while also making excellent progress in their research. (Contact ungarm2@rpi.edu)
• The Edward J. Kilcawley Prize: Awarded to a recipient of a Master’s degree who has pursued their studies in environmental issues. First awarded in 1994, this prize was established to perpetuate the memory of Professor Edward J. Kilcawley, a visionary environmentalist.  (Contact Rodend3@rpi.edu)
• The Delmar W. Karger Outstanding Master's Thesis Award: Awarded to a Master's graduate in ISE whose Master's efforts - including project or thesis - are deemed outstanding. Since potential impact on the field is desirable, the prize winner is encouraged to present and/or publish aspects of the project/thesis in an open forum. (Contact: Saunde2@rpi.edu)
• Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Excellence in Research Award in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering: Awarded to a DSES doctoral degree graduates in the Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) Department to acknowledge and honor those whose doctoral dissertation has made an unusually significant contribution to the discipline and the department. (Contact: Saunde2@rpi.edu)
• The Del and Ruth Karger Dissertation Prize (PhD) in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering: Awarded to a DSES doctoral degree graduate in ISE whose doctoral dissertation is deemed outstanding. Since potential impact on the field is desirable, the prize winner should have presented and/or published aspects of the dissertation in an open forum. (Contact Saunde2@rpi.edu)
• The Norman S. Stoloff Research Excellence Award: Awarded to recognize MSE graduate students for their outstanding research accomplishments, as evidenced by a submitted or published journal article in the past 12 months. This award is presented annually to up to two current MSE graduate students. (Contact swedk@rpi.edu)
• Teaching Assistant Excellence Award - Materials Science: Awarded annually to a graduate student in Materials Science & Engineering who has exemplified the world-class pedagogical quality at Rensselaer through outstanding performance as a teaching assistant. Eligible candidates must be graduate students who have done at least one semester of TA for a MTLE course and must be nominated by faculty. (Contact swedk@rpi.edu)
• The Robert C. Block Prize for Radiation Technology Research: Awarded annually to a graduate student in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship and creativity in applied radiation technology research toward a master’s or doctoral thesis. (Contact Milles7@rpi.edu)

Lally School of Management

• Del & Edith Karger Dissertation Prize in Management. (PhD):  Awarded to a Ph.D. student from the Lally School of Management, honoring their original publication as an outstanding contribution, as judged by a committee of esteemed faculty and alumni. (Contact Saunde2@rpi.edu)
• Epsilon Delta Sigma Award: (Contact Saunde2@rpi.edu)
• Lally Service Award: (Contact Saunde2@rpi.edu)
• 4.0 Award: Awarded in recognition of exceptional dedication and scholastic ability, the Lally School of Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute presents this award to students who have achieved the highest standard of academic excellence through maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average. This distinguished achievement reflects both intellectual capability and unwavering commitment to mastering the rigorous business curriculum, exemplifying the qualities of future leaders in the global business community. (Contact Saunde2@rpi.edu)
• Delmar W Karger Award in Management (MS/MBA): Awarded to the exceptional graduating master's student in Management, recognizing their outstanding academic achievements and exemplary leadership qualities, as determined by a committee of esteemed faculty members.
• W. Franklin Spafford Prize (MS/MBA): Awarded at commencement to a graduate student in management who has demonstrated high scholastic ability and has made a substantial contribution to that field. Established by an anonymous donor in honor of the first head of the Department of Management Engineering.  (Contact Saunde2@rpi.edu)
• Lally Chief Innovation Officer of the Future Award (MS/MBA): Awarded annually to a recipient that embodies the spirit of RPI’s motto: “Why Not Change the World?” by showcasing the qualities of a budding innovation expert. This individual demonstrates exceptional knowledge and thought leadership in courses and among the MBA/MS student body, particularly in the many dimensions of innovation that Lally students encounter: Technology, Commercialization, Corporate Entrepreneurship, National Innovation Policy, the startup and venturing environments, new product development, breakthrough and incremental innovation, and innovation ecosystem development. The Lally School recognizes this individual as having the potential not only to excel as an entrepreneur but also to lead organizations in developing sustainable innovation capabilities that will extend beyond their immediate tenure, helping economic agents become more successful at innovation. (Contact: Saunde2@rpi.edu)
• Excellence in Finance Award: Awarded to acknowledge the exceptional performance and contributions of an MS or MBA student to RPI’s eminence in Finance. This individual demonstrates distinct knowledge and leadership, advancing the School’s strength and prominence in the field of Finance. They have showcased their expertise and leadership through courses, extracurricular activities among the graduate student body, and efforts to enhance the visibility of the school beyond. The Lally School recognizes this individual as having the potential to not only succeed and thrive as a Finance professional but also to serve the profession with leadership, strong ethics, and a sense of service. (Contact Saunde2@rpi.edu)

Science

• Bill and Nancy Siegmann Applied Mathematical Modeling Prize (2014): Awarded to an undergraduate and/or graduate student whose work best exemplifies elegance in any or all of the three pillars of Applied Mathematics, namely, problem formulation, problem solution, and solution interpretation. An award established by John G. Watson ’71 in honor of his PhD advisor, Professor Bill Siegmann, and his wife Nancy.  (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• Joaquin B. Diaz Prize (1978): Awarded to a graduate student in the Department of Mathematical Sciences who shows ability and enthusiasm for research in mathematics. Established by friends, family, and colleagues in memory of Dr. Joaquin B. Diaz, the Albert Einstein Professor of Science at Rensselaer in the Department of Mathematical Sciences.  (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Walter H. Bauer Doctoral Prize in Chemistry (1981): Awarded to a doctoral candidate who has an exceptional graduate record in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, has carried out meritorious doctoral thesis research, and shows outstanding promise in the field of chemistry. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• Dr. Johanna Maas Graduate Assistant Award in Chemistry: Awarded to a graduate student in recognition of outstanding performance in their role as Chemistry teaching assistant. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Slezak Memorial Graduate Fellowship: Awarded to a third or fourth year chemistry student who has shown exceptional performance in academics and research. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• Professor Ronald A. Bailey Graduate Student Award for Leadership and Service: Awarded to a graduating Chemistry Ph.D. student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service within the department and broader scientific community. Established through the generous support of Dr. Robert Kroshefsky ’72, this award honors Professor Ronald A. Bailey for his six decades of dedicated service to the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (1961–2021). (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• Professor Ronald A. Bailey Graduate Student Travel Award: Awarded to a Chemistry graduate student who has achieved outstanding research progress, resulting in at least one publication, and supports their continued professional development through travel to present their work. Made possible by the generous donation of Dr. Robert Kroshefsky ’72, this award celebrates the enduring legacy of Professor Ronald A. Bailey, who served the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology from 1961 to 2021. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Robert McNaughton Prize (1989): Awarded to an outstanding graduate student in computer science. An annual prize established in honor of Professor Robert McNaughton, scholar and teacher in the computer science and mathematical sciences departments from 1967 to 1989. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• Livingston Waddell Houston Citizenship Award: Awarded to a student who, in the opinion of a selection committee is considered the "First Citizen of the College." The recipient must rank high in character, leadership, scholarship, and athletic ability. Established by Clay P. Bedford, the prize is given in memory of Livingston Waddell Houston, 11th president of Rensselaer.  (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson CLASS Award: Awarded to a student who as a leader exemplifies the ability to solve complex challenges through intellectual agility, multicultural sophistication, and a global view. The student must demonstrate outstanding leadership skills, possess an excellent academic record, and have created a positive impact on the community.  (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• Shakuntala Devi and Krish Deva Malaviya Public Servic Award:  Awarded to a graduating student who best exemplifies sustained excellence and selflessness in the service to others during their academic career. Established by Rensselaer Professor Bimal K. Malaviya and his siblings in honor of their parents. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Stanley I. Landgraf '46 Prize: Awarded to a computer science major who excels in leadership skills and academic achievement. An annual prize established to honor Stanley Landgraf, Rensselaer trustee, Acting President, and friend of the Computer Science Department. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Jack Hollingsworth Prize: Awarded to a computer science major who made a major contribution to the educational program at Rensselaer. An annual prize given to honor Jack Hollingsworth, professor of mathematics. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Glenn Martin Mueller '64 Prize: Awarded to a computer science major who is deemed to be the most entrepreneurial. An annual prize established to honor Glenn Martin Mueller, Rensselaer Trustee and graduate, Class of 1964. A leading venture capitalist in Silicon Valley, Glenn was a champion of the entrepreneur, funding many successful start-up companies. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Ralph Ernest Huston Prize (1973): Awarded to the first or second year graduate student in the Department of Mathematical Sciences who has demonstrated unusual promise and ability as a teacher. Established by Antoinette K. Huston and sons, Peter, Kenneth, Richard and T. Michael, in memory of Dr. Ralph Huston, Professor of Mathematics from 1934-1969. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Max Hirsch Prize (1972): –   Awarded to a senior in the Department of Mathematical Sciences who has demonstrated outstanding ability in his or her academic work and also gives promise of outstanding success in a career in mathematical sciences. Established by Professor Edith H. Luchins in memory of her father. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Joaquin B. Diaz Prize (1978):  It is awarded to a graduate student who shows ability and enthusiasm for research in mathematics. The recipient should show curiosity in new questions, an inquiring mind, a love to understand things, and the patience for systematic inquiry. Established by the family, colleagues, and friends of Professor Diaz, who was the first Albert Einstein Professor of Science in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Bill and Nancy Siegmann Applied Mathematical Modeling Prize (2014): Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student whose work best exemplifies elegance in any or all of the three pillars of Applied Mathematics, namely, problem formulation, problem solution, and solution interpretation. Established by John G. Watson ’71 in honor of his Ph.D. advisor, Professor Bill Siegmann, and his wife Nancy.  (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• Henry Ehrlich Prize in Microbiology and Environmental Sciences (2012): Awarded for excellence in scholarship to a graduating graduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences who plans to pursue a career in microbiology and/or environmental sciences. (Contact Dudled@rpi.edu)
• The Walter Eppenstein '52 Graduate Teaching Assistant Award (1991): Awarded to a graduate student for outstanding contributions to our teaching program in Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Paul S. Ho (2010): Awarded to an outstanding graduate student enrolled in Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Edmond Brown Graduate Prize in Physics (2017): Awarded to an outstanding graduate student in Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy for research in theoretical condensed matter physics. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)
• The Hillard B. Huntington Award (1976): Awarded to an outstanding graduate student in Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy. (Contact Getwrk@rpi.edu)