AAVI Excellence in Mentoring Award
This award recognizes the importance of the mentor-trainee relationship. A dedicated mentor significantly influences a trainee’s professional development and career. AAVI honors the award recipient’s contributions to the profession through outstanding mentoring.
Up to one (1) awardee will be recognized each year. The award includes a certificate and recognition at the AAVI Annual Meeting and Business Luncheon.
Eligibility
At the time of application, nominees must be:
Nomination Instructions
Please include the following in the nomination package:
The deadline for nominations will be announced shortly, but it is expected in July 2026. Packages must be submitted as a single combined PDF file via the online nomination form. Incomplete nomination packages or nominations that do not comply with the stated instructions will not be considered. AAVI will not accept materials sent separately, or through email or regular mail. Final award decisions are at AAVI's discretion.
Candidates may be re-nominated annually, with complete nominations submitted for each year of nomination.
Up to one (1) awardee will be recognized each year. The award includes a certificate and recognition at the AAVI Annual Meeting and Business Luncheon.
Eligibility
At the time of application, nominees must be:
- General AAVI members in good standing,
- Have 5 or more years of uninterrupted AAVI membership, and
- Have demonstrated a strong and long-lasting commitment to mentoring.
Nomination Instructions
Please include the following in the nomination package:
- One (1) nomination letter, not to exceed three (3) pages, signed and submitted by a General or Lifetime AAVI member in good standing who was mentored by the nominee, indicating the nominee’s qualifications for the award. The nomination letter must be from a single individual and not include multiple endorsements. It should reflect the observations and opinions of the author. Please refrain from extensive reliance on quotations and observations of others.
- The letter should provide a succinct career history, major scientific contributions, and mentoring accomplishments. The letter may refer to a select list of former and current trainees. Qualities that may be considered include: the nominee’s commitment to mentoring throughout their career, scientific guidance, willingness to advise on activities critical to career success (e.g., grant writing, manuscript preparation, oral presentations, teaching skills, career choices, etc.), continued interest in the professional advancement of former trainees, and success as a role model.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation, not to exceed two (2) pages each, from two (2) former trainees of the nominee. Each letter must include a brief description of career history relevant to mentoring received, as well as current positions and affiliations. Each letter must be from a single individual and not include multiple endorsements. These letters must be signed and included in the package.
- The nominee’s CV or biosketch.
The deadline for nominations will be announced shortly, but it is expected in July 2026. Packages must be submitted as a single combined PDF file via the online nomination form. Incomplete nomination packages or nominations that do not comply with the stated instructions will not be considered. AAVI will not accept materials sent separately, or through email or regular mail. Final award decisions are at AAVI's discretion.
Candidates may be re-nominated annually, with complete nominations submitted for each year of nomination.