ECS Award Application Tips

Two key questions allow for a focused understanding of the best candidate qualifications and should not be ignored:

Proposed Citation for Award: the reason for the honor and words that will appear on the framed certificate.

Summary of Nominee Qualifications: the “elevator speech” that entices the reviewer to read on.

ECS is a scientific publisher, first and foremost, so a successful application will feature substantive publications and research that help advance our understanding of electrochemistry and solid state science and technology. The best applicant is one with a continued track record of publishing in an ECS scientific journal.

ECS thrives on the work of our volunteers and our awards program recognizes these efforts whether in the form of outreach activity, student chapter service or committee participation.

Highlight ECS volunteer activity and leadership throughout the application.

TK

Prior recipients, as published on the ECS web site, can be used to gauge and compare qualifications. Exploring the professional background of or even reaching out to previous award winners for guidance are options for increasing the competitive edge.

Avoid generic or formulaic standards in these letters. A good application letter offers specific details about the applicant’s professional course with discussion of overcoming difficulties and/or dealing with stresses of innovation. There should be mention of ECS volunteerism, goals (present and past) and the steps taken to achieve those.