Lifetime Achievement Award
The Prize
The Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Sciences (The Prize), organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), is an international award that honours scholars and researchers who have made distinguished contributions to language sciences. The prize is named after the late Professor Yuen Ren Chao (1892–1982) who is widely regarded as the Father of Modern Chinese Language Studies. Professor Chao was a distinguished linguist and talented humanistic scholar, poet, composer, translator and educator whose influences have impacted scholars in China, Asia and around the world. His significant academic contributions cover the total spectrum of language science inquiry, from highly technical discussions in linguistic theory to practical texts for language teaching. These contributions have left an indelible mark on humanities research and education in general.
About the Prize
Aims
- To commemorate the legacy of Professor Yuen Ren Chao
- To recognise distinguished contributions made by researchers in the field
- To inspire future generations of scholars and students in language science research
This is conferred to a senior individual whose academic life has been devoted to language science studies and who has made long-term outstanding contributions to the field. The following requirements must be met:
- The awardee should have had sustained involvement in the studies of language sciences;
- The awardee’s scholarship should have been widely acknowledged as pioneering and internationally reputable in language science research; and
- The awardee’s research findings should have led to major breakthroughs and have far-reaching impacts in the field around the world.
Early Career Contribution Award
This is conferred to a junior individual who has made outstanding contributions to language sciences. The following requirements must be met:
- The awardee should pursue language science research and play an active and key role in the academic fields;
- The awardee’s research findings should have resulted in breakthroughs in language sciences research at an international level; and
- The awardee should be aged 45 or below by the nomination deadline.
Only one awardee can be selected for each category during each prize cycle. The Prize comes with cash awards of US$20,000 (for the Lifetime Achievement Award) and US$10,000 (for the Early Career Contribution Award). The same award can be given to a recipient only once in his or her lifetime. The awardees will be recognised at a ceremony held by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which will also feature a distinguished lecture in the Faculty of Humanities.
- The nomination form should be completed in English.
- A resume of the nominee in no more than 10 pages (A4 pages) should be submitted along with this nomination form.
- Information beyond the tenth page will be treated only as supplementary material at the discretion of the Selection Committee.
- The nomination form should be returned to the Selection Committee by email at chao.prize@polyu.edu.hk no later than 30 November 2023 (11:59pm, GMT+8).
- Successful nominations will be notified by email. If you have not received the acknowledgement by 15 December 2023, please contact the Faculty of Humanities through email (chao.prize@polyu.edu.hk) or phone (+852 3400 8224).
- The nomination form should be returned to the Selection Committee by email at chao.prize@polyu.edu.hk no later than 30 November 2023 (11:59pm, GMT+8).
- Please inform the Selection Committee by email if the attachment size exceeds the allowable limit (20 MB).
Download the nomination form:
- Each nominator can only submit one nomination in each category.
- The nomination of a person who has passed away will not be considered.
- Self-nomination is acceptable if a letter of recommendation from a third party is provided.
- The same nominee may be considered in different cycles (unless the nominee wins the prize).
- Appropriate actions will be taken to address conflicts of interest, if any, by the Organising Committee.
- A valid nomination submitted in a nomination year will only be considered for that year.
- Nominations must be made in the strictest confidence.
- The Faculty of Humanities will establish a Selection Committee responsible for shortlisting the candidates, appointing experts as reviewers, and confirming the awardees.
- The Selection Committee consists of a Chairperson and at least four members. The members are appointed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities on behalf of the Organising Committee of the Prize, for a term of two years with a maximum of two terms in office. The members of the Selection Committee are as follows:
- Chairperson: Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University or his/her appointee
- Members: Served by world-renowned scholars and academic leaders in the field
- The Selection Committee will make a shortlist from the valid nominations. Each shortlisted candidate will then be reviewed by at least three expert reviewers independently. These expert reviewers are eminent scholars or leaders in the field appointed by the Selection Committee. They will evaluate the candidate’s suitability for the award and make a recommendation to the Selection Committee. Upon receiving the recommendation from the expert reviewers, the Selection Committee will make a final decision.
Important Dates for the 2024 Awards
Professor Chao's Influence
Distinguished scholars share how Professor Chao has influenced their work.
> Click HERE to read more.
Award Contacts
For enquiries, please contact us at
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