Research Policy Committee
The Research Policy Committee is a faculty advisory committee to the Provost on research, scholarship, and creative activities of the Murray State faculty. The committee submits recommendations to the Provost on various university policies to strengthen the research environment on campus. RPC membership includes one faculty member from each college/school selected by the Provost, one Sigma Xi faculty member, the Director of Sponsored Programs, and the Director of the Office for Research and Creative Activities.
page last updated 7/12/2024
Download Report on Faculty Research Conditions and Changes Since 2010 (PDF)
Emerging Scholar Award
Each year, the RPC selects two recipients of the Murray State Alumni Association Emerging Scholar Award. This award recognizes superior research, scholarly, or creative work conducted by Murray State University faculty members who are in the early phase of their careers and who show professional promise. Significant achievements associated with the nominee始s work should have been realized while the nominee has held a faculty position at the University. Two prizes will be awarded: one in the area of science, technology and mathematics, the second in the area of the arts, literature, humanities, and social sciences. Each Emerging Scholar receives a $500 cash award, and the researcher鈥檚 name is engraved on the Murray State Alumni Association Emerging Scholar Award plaque located in the Murray State Alumni Center.
Distinguished Researcher Award
Each year, the RPC selects recipients of the Murray State Alumni Association Distinguished Researcher Award, which is intended to recognize excellence in research and reflects the significance of faculty research to the educational environment at Murray State University. The Distinguished Researcher receives a $1000 cash award, and the researcher鈥檚 name is engraved on the Murray State Alumni Association Distinguished Research Award plaque located in the Murray State Alumni Center.
Presidential Research Award
Every other year, the Research Policy Committee (RPC) juries this highly competitive award. The committee may disqualify any or all proposals it deems not worthy of funding. Applicants must be full-time faculty, professional staff, or administrative faculty and must be engaged in research, scholarship, or creative activity that results in a significant contribution to their professional field. Nominations for this award will re-open in 2026.