Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Distinguished Contributions to Research Award, Early Career Research Award, Outstanding Doctoral Research Award, and NARST Fellows Program.

All nomination materials for these awards are due Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Review the details below and click on the links to download the calls for nominations. 

The Distinguished Contributions to Research Award (DCRA) recognizes and rewards individuals who have made distinguished contributions to science education through exemplary, high-quality research. It is the highest recognition that NARST bestows upon its members. The recipient(s) of the Award should have made notable scholarly contributions over a period of at least 20 years since the award of their doctorate. Contributions may be of various types scholarship, including empirical, philosophical or historical research; evaluative studies; policy-related research; and studies advancing methodological approaches. Review the award requirements and submit your nomination and/or questions to the Chair of the DCRA Committee, Saouma BouJaoude. 
Members only: download call for nominations.

The Early Career Research Award (ECRA) acknowledges contributions to science education through research by individuals during the seven years immediately following receipt of the doctoral degree. To qualify for the award in 2026, the nominee must have received the doctoral degree on or after January 1, 2018. Research contributions may vary, including but not limited to, empirical, philosophical, historical research, critical perspectives, evaluative studies, policy-related research, and studies reflecting new research techniques. Review the award requirements and submit your nomination and/or questions to the Chair of the ECRA Committee, Uchenna Emenaha Miles.  
Members only: download call for nominations.

The Outstanding Doctoral Research Award (ODRA) is the highest award that NARST bestows on a dissertation judged by colleagues on the Selection Committee to have the greatest significance in the field of science education research from among all dissertations nominated for the award that year. The ODRA Committee is now soliciting nominations for the 2026 award from all current NARST members who completed a dissertation within 15 months prior to August 31, 2025. Submissions are to be sought from as wide a field of candidates as possible to be inclusive of gender, age, geographical area, and ethnicity, as well as research perspectives. Review the award requirements and submit your nomination and/or questions to the Chair of the ODRA committee, Dina Tsybulsky. 
Members only: download call for nominations.

The NARST Fellows Program honors and recognizes members for their exceptional contribution to, and excellence in research, and service to the NARST community. The goal of the Fellows program is to create cohorts of scholars that would contribute toward fostering a sense of pride and community in the NARST organization. NARST Fellows are each accomplished scholars and community members whose scholarship, service, and leadership activities contribute to and advance the NARST community. The Fellows Program highlights and celebrates the epistemological, geographic, racial, linguistic, gender, and other diversity of the accomplished scholars representing a range of research traditions, along with their presence and commitment to advancing the mission of NARST. Review the program requirements and submit your nomination and/or questions to Fellows Committee Co-Chairs Lezly Taylor and Helena Aptyka.  
Members only: download call for nominations.

Nomination materials for all awards are due Thursday, July 31, 2025.