ASHRAE New Investigator Award

About this program

ASHRAE’s New Investigator Award provides up to $125,000 (base $50k/year for two years plus a $25k third‑year match) to support early‑career university faculty developing HVAC&R research and educational programs; at most one award is made annually. Nominees must have earned a Ph.D. and begun their first full‑time tenure‑track or tenured faculty position less than five years before the December 1, 2026 deadline, with a modified eligibility window for candidates affected by COVID (PhD/start years 2020–2025); eligible institutions must award degrees in engineering, science, or architecture and are expected to waive indirect costs. Nominations must be submitted by the department head or chair and include a cover sheet, nominator and nominee statements, a one‑page teaching plan, a two‑page research plan, CV/biographical sketch, and at least three reference letters. The ASHRAE Research Administration Committee selects the recipient based on research competence and potential, teaching and leadership promise, and alignment with ASHRAE’s mission; complete electronic nominations are due to ASHRAE Research by December 1, 2026.