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University Marketing and Communications

Guidelines & Policies

UH Major Awards Announcement Guidelines

University of Houston enjoys high standing among many national rating services that evaluate quality of education, research activity, affordability, value and athletic excellence. These rankings recognize not only UH as a whole, but also our many respected colleges and departments, which are led by our gifted, award-winning professors.

As the University of Houston pursues its goal of becoming a Top 50 public institution, it is important that major grants, scholarships, faculty awards and gifts are reviewed by UH Media Relations in coordination with the UH Division of Research, Office of the Provost and/or University Advancement prior to any public announcements to determine when and how the award will be announced.

Colleges or divisions that are notified of a major grant, scholarship or faculty award under embargo should immediately notify UH Media Relations.

Criteria for Major Grants, Gifts and Awards

  • $1M+ Research Grants
  • $1M+ Gifts
  • Included in List of Significant Faculty Awards
  • Included in List of Nationally Competitive Scholarships

Major Research Grants

Major research grants are coordinated through the Division of Research and UH Media Relations and are typically announced after the award is set up at UH and funds are deposited. The DOR executive director of communications will then notify the president and vice presidents and, if the grant is determined to be of external interest, a press release will follow. If the grant is determined to be of internal interest, the media relations will notify the college’s communicator.

Typical Timeline:

  • Principal investigator and/or OCG is notified by granting agency
  • Award setup initiates
    1. All grant and compliance requirements must be met
    2. Delays are not uncommon
  • Funds are deposited
  • President, Provost and VPs are notified
  • Press Release or college announcement, as appropriate

The granting agency may announce the award prior to this process being complete, in which case UH may choose to follow with its own announcement but coordination and approval are still required.

Significant Faculty Awards

Among the measures on which universities are ranked is the number of “significant faculty awards” earned by those affiliated with the institution. Of course, the many other awards, contracts, grants, fellowships and faculty achievements sought and won by UH faculty are significant throughout all disciplines, and the faculty’s success in those endeavors is equally important to the institution as a whole. Announcements on the following awards should be coordinated through the Office of Media Relations and the Office of the Provost and require approval prior to any announcements.

Humanities/Arts

Social Sciences

Life/Physical Sciences

All Disciplines/Fields

Nationally Competitive Scholarships*

Nationally competitive scholarships earn recognition for the student and the university. These prestigious awards recognize a student’s academic and leadership potential and conveys confidence in the student’s ability to make positive contributions to his or her own field of study both nationally and internationally. Announcements on the following extremely competitive scholarship awards should be coordinated through the Office of Media Relations and the Office of the Provost and require approval prior to any announcements.

*Source: Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards list of Nationally competitive awards that require University nomination.

Major Gifts Announcements

Announcements for all gifts exceeding $1 million and/or related to naming are coordinated through University Advancement and UH Media Relations, and are announced after the gift agreement is complete. All announcements require approval prior to any announcement. This applies to gifts for all academic colleges/schools/units, athletics and student affairs. The University’s central announcement takes priority.

The Executive Director of Donor Engagement will notify the Vice President for University Advancement and, if the gift is determined to be of external interest, a press release will follow. If the gift is determined to be of internal interest, UH Media Relations will notify the unit’s communicator.