Office of the Provost
Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award
2026 Guidelines
Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award (PDF)
The Award
The Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award annually recognizes outstanding public service contributions by members of the University of Pittsburgh’s faculty. Up to five awardees may be chosen annually. Each award consists of a cash prize to the faculty member of $2,000 and a grant* of $3,000 to support the faculty member’s public service activities. All awardees are honored publicly.
Definition
Public service is broadly defined as the use of University and academic resources to address social problems and to improve the general welfare of humankind. It is a serious academic activity, which provides public or community benefit, is related to a faculty member’s academic expertise, is different from and goes beyond the traditional duties of a faculty member, and is conducted outside the University. Remuneration is not the primary purpose of the activity. Knowledge arising from this work, ideally, should be disseminated through publications, such as documents, reports, and papers; should be incorporated into the teaching and training of students wherever possible; and should have a long-term impact on the University and the community at-large.
Eligibility
Any full-time faculty member who has served for at least three years at the University of Pittsburgh is eligible to be nominated for a Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award. Previous winners are not eligible.
Nominations
Any member of the University community and external individuals or institutions who possess evidence of a nominee’s public service accomplishments may submit a written nomination. Nominees for the Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award should possess a substantial and continuing record of public/community service in his or her field. A letter of nomination should identify specific activities and briefly describe how these contributions have been incorporated into the teaching and training of students and what the long-term impact has been on the community and the University. Nomination letters are due by October 10, 2025, and should be uploaded via the University’s Competition Space link at upitt.infoready4.com, under the “Chancellor’s Awards-Public Service” link.
For questions regarding the award, please contact Vice Provost John Wallace, at VPWallace@pitt.edu. Find information about recent awardees.
Awards Committee
The Awards Committee is appointed by the Provost, with the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement and Leadership Development, serving as non-voting chair. The Committee consists of outstanding faculty representatives of the University.