NIH Director's Award - Categories, Eligibility, and Criteria for Nominations
There are four employee categories for the NIH Director's Award, each with specific eligibility and nomination criteria, as outlined below.
Category A - Scientific/Medical
Eligibility
- All NIH employees or group of employees in the scientific/medical professions.
Criteria
- Unusual display of leadership which promoted the advancement of the understanding or application of scientific phenomena, processes, or problems.
- Unusual achievement in the application of scientific principles and methods to improve the efficiency or extend the benefits of the NIH.
- Discovery or invention of a new principle, process, or device or a scientific nature that resulted in substantial benefits.
- Unusual competence, compassion, or heroism in an emergency situation at the NIH.
- Sustained and excellent performance in carrying out a difficult task.
- Outstanding contribution to a special committee or task force dealing with NIH-wide policies, procedures, or operations.
- Skill and leadership in science.
Category B - Technical/Clerical/Support
Eligibility
- All NIH employees or groups of employees in grades GS-1 through GS-9, and Wage Grade equivalent.
Criteria
- Outstanding efforts in applying technical or clerical support skills to accomplish NIH mission.
- Exceptional initiative in carrying out activities to improve NIH program operations or to benefit the NIH environment.
- Unusual competence, compassion, or heroism in an emergency situation at NIH.
- Sustained and excellent performance in carrying out a difficult task.
Category C - Administrative
Eligibility
- All NIH employees or group of employees not covered by Categories A nor Category B.
Criteria
- Exceptional initiative or leadership in carrying out activities to improve NIH program operations or to benefit the NIH environment.
- Development and improvement of methods, procedures, or equipment that resulted in substantial benefits to the NIH or Government.
- Unusual competence, compassion, or heroism in an emergency situation at NIH.
- Sustained and excellent performance in carrying out a difficult task.
- Outstanding contribution to a special committee or task force dealing with NIH-wide policies, procedures, or operations.
- Notable competence and resourcefulness in improving the administrative management of the NIH.
- Skill and leadership in administration.
Category D - Mentoring
Eligibility
- All NIH employees who mentor others
Criteria
- Demonstrates effective people skills -- effectively communicating and actively listening;
resolving conflicts and giving appropriate feedback. - Valuing and taking pride in NIH and its work; understanding its mission, vision, and
values and supporting its initiatives. - Exhibiting patience and willingness to spend and provide adequate time serving in the
role of mentor. - Serving as a role model -- teaching and demonstrating high standards of performance,
integrity, and ethical conduct. - Motivating and inspiring the mentee to do better--through encouraging feedback and
challenging his/her potential. - Providing visibility through securing challenging projects and assignment for the mentee,
and by discussing his/her accomplishments with others.
