Epsilon Sigma Phi- Awards, Recognition, Scholarship and Grant Opportunities

Epsilon Sigma Phi members who have paid their dues for the current year and the previous year are eligible to submit award/recognition applications.  Specific award application information is located at the National ESP site.  All award information (unless noted) must be entered online no later than February 15.  Scholarships and mini-grants have different deadlines!

**Note: Chapter Recognition contact is Melinda McCulley (mindy.mcculley@uky.edu)
You will need this information for your online application.  

AWARD, RECOGNITION, SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT LIST

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE RECOGNITION (> 20 years of service)

This award is designed to pay the highest chapter tribute to an experienced Extension professional who has consistently exhibited leadership and excellence in Extension program planning, delivery, evaluation, in program and/or administration over a career of more than 20 years. Data supporting measurable impacts of the candidate's work in meeting needs of clientele will strengthen the nomination.

Click on the Distinguished Service Recognition to submit form.

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MID CAREER SERVICE RECOGNITION (> 10 years and < 20 years of service)

This award is designed to pay the tribute to an experienced Extension professional who has consistently exhibited leadership and excellence in Extension program planning, delivery, evaluation, in the program and/or administration for over 10 years and less than 20 years. Data supporting measurable impacts of the candidate's work in meeting the needs of clientele will strengthen the nomination.

Click the Mid Career Service Recognition Application link to submit an application form.

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 EARLY CAREER SERVICE RECOGNITION (3-10 years of service)

This award is designed to pay the tribute to a new Extension professional who has exhibited the potential for leadership and excellence in Extension program planning, delivery, evaluation, in program and/or administration during the first 10 years of their career. Data supporting measurable impacts of the candidate's work in meeting needs of clientele will strengthen the nomination.

Click the Early Career Service Recognition Application link to submit an application form.

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CONTINUED EXCELLENCE RECOGNITION (>20 years of service and 5 years after receiving the Distinguished Service recognition)

Designed to recognize an experienced Extension professional with more than twenty years of experience who has exhibited continued leadership, initiative, and excellence in Extension program planning, delivery, evaluation in program or administration, on a state, regional or national level five years after receiving the chapter Distinguished Service recognition. Data supporting measurable impacts of the candidate's work in meeting the needs of clientele will strengthen the nomination.

Click the Continued Service Recognition Application link to submit an application form.

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INTERNATIONAL SERVICE RECOGNITION

Available to ESP members who have contributed significantly to the development and/or expansion of an Extension program in another country or countries through in-state and/or overseas work.

Click the Chapter International Service Recognition link to complete and submit the application form.

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ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION (10 years or more) 

Recognizes an Extension Professional who has shown noteworthy administrative enthusiasm, performance, and accomplishment during their Extension careers (10 years or more). Administrative leadership may be at county, regional, chapter, program, department, or national level. Documentation of the candidate's work in meeting the needs and furthering the efforts of supervised faculty, staff and/or program should be primary in this recognition.

Click the Administrative Leadership Recognition link to complete and submit the application form

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 VISIONARY LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION

Designed to recognize Extension professionals whose significant accomplishments have resulted in leading Extension forward in new directions. This person's visionary leadership enabled Extension to anticipate a significant new opportunity and developed support to implement program organizational changes necessary to achieve success.

Click the Visionary Leadership Recognition link to complete and submit the application form

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 DIVERSITY MULTICULTURAL RECOGNITION – INDIVIDUAL

Acknowledges outstanding efforts and accomplishments in developing, achieving and sustaining:

• Extension programs and/or audiences in our diverse and multicultural society.
• Diversity refers to the fact that our community, both locally and nationally, is comprised of many individuals, each having unique attributes based on a variety of social, physical, and cultural characteristics.
• Multiculturalism is a philosophy that recognizes, accepts, and integrates the contributions and achievements of all people into the social and economic fabric of the community in which they exist.
• Multiculturalism requires an understanding of and respect for the historical bases of the belief systems and traditions of various groups to develop their members socially, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and physically.
• Nominations should show understanding, valuing and celebrating differences among people relative to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status and sexual orientation (List is not all-inclusive and not limited to those mentioned.)
• The diversity/multicultural program must have been implemented in the past three years.

Criteria:

• The program description addresses significant diversity/multicultural issues for a period of at least one year.
• Makes innovative efforts to attract and reach diverse and/or multicultural audiences.
• Demonstrates collaborative efforts.
• Utilizes creative and unique strategies to market or publicize the program to reach diverse and/or 
  targeted audiences.
• Makes efforts above and beyond affirmative action program requirements.
• Demonstrates potential for replication by others

Judging Criteria

Program description using the above criteria - 60 points

Accomplishments/Evaluation - 25 points

Future implications - 15 points

TOTAL 100 points

Click the Diversity / Multicultural Individual Recognition link to complete and submit the application form

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DIVERSITY MULTICULTURAL RECOGNITION - TEAM

• Acknowledges outstanding efforts and accomplishments in developing, achieving and sustaining Extension programs and/or audiences in our diverse and multicultural society.
• Diversity refers to the fact that our community, both locally and nationally, is comprised of many individuals, each having unique attributes based on a variety of social, physical, and cultural characteristics.
• Multiculturalism is a philosophy that recognizes, accepts, and integrates the contributions and achievements of all people into the social and economic fabric of the community in which they exist.
• Multiculturalism requires an understanding of and respect for the historical bases of the belief systems and traditions of various groups to develop their members socially, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and physically.
• Nominations should show understanding, valuing and celebrating differences among people relative to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status and sexual orientation (List is not all-inclusive and not limited to those mentioned.)
• One team (two or more individuals) recognition per chapter per year
• A team or individual may submit applications.
• The team nomination should include all staff (full- time and part-time academic professional and classified) that had a primary role in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating the program.
• The diversity/multicultural program must have been implemented in the past three years.
• At least 50% of team members eligible for ESP membership must be ESP members whose dues are paid for the previous and current years.

Criteria:

• Program description addresses significant diversity/multicultural issues for a period of at least 
  one year.
• Makes innovative efforts to attract and reach diverse and/or multicultural audiences.
• Demonstrates collaborative efforts.
• Utilizes creative and unique strategies to market or publicize the program to reach diverse 
  and/or targeted audiences.
• Makes efforts above and beyond affirmative action program requirements.
• Demonstrates potential for replication by others.

Judging Criteria

Program description using the above criteria - 60 points

Accomplishments/Evaluation - 25 points

Future implications - 15 points

TOTAL 100 points

Click the Diversity / Multicultural Team Recognition link to complete and submit the application form

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DISTINGUISHED TEAM RECOGNITION

Designed to recognize outstanding efforts of Extension staff teams (two or more individuals) for 

responding to and incorporating into a specific educational program one or more critical issues. 
Critical issues may be defined by local, regional, state or national need.

Click on the Chapter Team Recognition link to complete and submit the application form

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 FRIEND OF EXTENSION RECOGNITION (Designated areas)

Highest recognition presented by an ESP chapter to a non-Extension (lay) person, company or organization and is designed to recognize truly outstanding support and personal involvement in Extension efforts.  In 2022, Bluegrass, Purchase and Northeast areas can apply for this award by the deadline.

Click the Chapter Friend of Extension link to complete and submit the application form

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 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE RUBY RECOGNITION:

• This is the most prestigious recognition presented by ESP and is designed to 
  recognize truly outstanding thinking, performance, and leadership in Extension.
• It is understood that the recipient has made highly significant contributions on 
  the state, regional, national, and(when applicable) international Extension scenes 
  in a variety of ways and over a career that spans a lifetime.
• The narrative summary statement must be limited to 50-75 words and the entire
  application should be no more than 1,000 words.
• One nominee per chapter per year.
• The recipient gives the Ruby Lecture at the National ESP Conference.
• One recognition annually to an ESP member whose dues are paid for the previous 
  year and the current year (by February 1).
• Gold ESP insignia pin, inset with ruby stone and one diamond per 10 years of service, 
  and plaque presented to recipient during the National ESP Conference Recognition Event.
• The cost of the diamond insets is the responsibility of the sponsoring chapter.

Click the Distinguished Service Ruby Recognition link to complete and submit the application form

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ESP SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANTS- ADHERE TO DEADLINES!

ESP Public Issues Leadership Development Conference Scholarship

Epsilon Sigma Phi, through the ESP Development Fund, has established this scholarship for eligible members to attend the Public Issues Leadership Development National Conference in order to become informed about and develop skills in responding to public issues and legislative matters affecting Extension programs and personal needs.

Four scholarships of $600 each will be awarded.  Applicants must have the application, Chapter President Statement of Support, Extension Director Statement of Support.

Application online deadline: December 1.  Refer to the National ESP website for more information.

Complete and Submit PILD Scholarship Application 

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ESP Mike McKinney Public Issues Scholarship

Epsilon Sigma Phi has established this scholarship in partnership with Mike McKinney, ESP Life

Member, for eligible members to gain or enhance education or skills in any area of public policy/public issues.  The scholarship is to provide financial assistance to attend a public policy / public issues professional conference or meeting, or to take formal coursework toward an advanced degree in a public policy/issue area.

One $500 scholarship will be awarded annually.  Applicants must have application, Chapter President Statement of Support, Extension Director Statement of Support.

Application online deadline: December 1.  Refer to the National ESP website for more information.

Complete and Submit the McKinney Scholarship Application

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ESP RICHARD R. ANGUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP

Epsilon Sigma Phi, through the ESP Development Fund, provides $2,000 annually to fund scholarships not to exceed $500 per member to encourage, stimulate, and support professional development through participation in courses, seminars, conferences or workshops. Applicants must have application, Chapter President Statement of Support, and Immediate Supervisor Statement of Support.

Application online deadline: March 1.  Refer to the National ESP website for more information.

Complete and Submit an Angus Professional Development Scholarship Application

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ESP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINI-GRANT PROGRAM

Epsilon Sigma Phi, through the ESP Development Fund, will provide up to four (4) grants not to exceed $1000 each to stimulate the professional development of Extension faculty. Applicants must have application, statement of support from Chapter President, and statement of support from Extension Director. The application deadline is December 1. Refer to the National ESP website for more information.

Complete and submit a Professional Development Mini-Grant Application

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ESP ADMINISTRATOR / LEADER SCHOLARSHIP

Epsilon Sigma Phi, through the ESP Development Fund, has established this scholarship to 
promote continued professional development for eligible members to attend the National 
ESP Conference. The scholarship is to be used to defray the cost of attending the National ESP Conference. Four scholarships of $500.00 each will be awarded annually to outstanding administrators/leaders based on accomplishments.  Applicants must include application, Supervisory Statement of Support and Chapter President Statement of Support.  The application deadline is March 1. Refer to the National ESP website for more information.

Complete and Submit an Administrator / Leader Scholarship Application