The Maize Genetics Cooperator Award

Description: The Maize Genetics Cooperator Award recognizes maize cooperators who have provided dedicated service to the community by supporting community resources, organizing collaborative efforts, or enabling maize research.

To be eligible, a cooperator must have shown dedication to service that has led to broad impact or advanced the spirit of cooperation within the community; AND has been an active member of the maize genetics community for at least ten years.

ANC Scoring Rubric: Each criterion may be assessed on a scale of 1-10, with 1 representing the lowest level of achievement and 10 representing the highest level of achievement. An overall 20-point score will be calculated by summing the scores across all criteria.

Criteria (20 pt)	Guidelines for Evaluation
Dedication to Service (score 1-10)	The extent to which the nominee has demonstrated dedication to service within the maize genetics community, including their contributions to supporting community resources, organizing collaborative efforts, or enabling maize research. Evaluators should consider the impact of the nominee's service, as well as whether their service has had broad impact or advanced the spirit of cooperation within the community.
Maize Genetics Community (score 1-10)	The extent to which the nominee is active in the maize genetics community, including membership in MGC or serving on committees for MGC. Evaluators should also consider the nominee's attendance at MGM, their provision of resources to the community, and their representation of the spirit of cooperation within the maize genetics community.

The Maize Genetics Leadership Award

Description: The Maize Genetics Leadership Award recognizes maize cooperators who have inspired the lives and careers of other maize researchers through mentorship, leadership, outreach, and education. Special consideration will be given to the candidates who have shown a strong impact in the areas of inclusion, diversity, and equity.

To be eligible, a cooperator needs to have done outstanding work in the areas of mentorship, education, outreach, or community leadership in areas of inclusion, diversity, and equity; AND has been an active member of the maize genetics community for at least five years.

ANC Scoring Rubric: Each criterion may be assessed on a scale of 1-10, with 1 representing the lowest level of achievement and 10 representing the highest level of achievement. An overall 20-point score will be calculated by summing the scores across all criteria.

Criteria (20 pt)	Guidelines for Evaluation
Inspiration (score 1-5)	The extent to which the nominee has served as an inspiration to others in the field of maize research, through their leadership, mentorship, or other contributions.
Impact on Lives and Careers (score 1-5)	The extent to which the nominee's mentorship, leadership, outreach, and/or education has had a positive impact on the lives and careers of maize researchers.
Impact on inclusivity and diversity (score 1-5)	The extent to which the nominee has contributed to the advancement of inclusivity and diversity within the maize research community.
Maize Genetics Community (score 1-5)	The extent to which the nominee is active in the maize genetics community, including membership in MGC or serving on committees for MGC. Evaluators should also consider the nominee's attendance at MGM, their provision of resources to the community, and their representation of the community in a positive way.

The M. Rhoades Early-Career Maize Genetics Award

Description: The M. Rhoades Early-Career Maize Genetics Award will be given to an individual who has started an independent position within the past 8 years. It is expected that the awardee will have made significant research contributions through genetic studies of maize or related species.

ANC Scoring Rubric: Each criterion may be assessed on a scale of 1-10 for the 1st criterion, and 1-5 for the second 2 criteria, with 1 representing the lowest level of achievements. An overall 20-point score will be calculated by summing the scores across all criteria.

Criteria (20 pt)	Guidelines for Evaluation
Maize Genetics Research (CV) (score 1-10)	The significance of the nominee's research contributions based on their CV. Evaluators should consider the impact of maize papers published from the candidate's own lab, with particular attention to whether the candidate has publications as corresponding or joint corresponding author. Adjust scoring for the field.
Maize Genetics Research (Letter) (score 1-5)	The significance of the nominee's research contributions based on their letter of recommendation. Evaluators should consider the contribution and impact of the nominee's research beyond metrics such as h-index, impact factor, and citations. If the nominee's work is highly collaborative, evaluators should focus on their unique contributions. If the nominee is in industry or abroad, the letter should articulate their independence. Evaluators could concentrate on contributions since becoming independent, i.e., running their own group or lab.
Maize Genetics Community (score 1-5)	The extent to which the nominee is active in the maize genetics community, including membership in MGC or serving on committees for MGC. Evaluators should also consider the nominee's attendance at MGM, their provision of resources to the community, and their representation of the community in a positive way. Evaluators should also consider whether the nominee teaches, mentors, or provides service to the broader plant genetics community.

The L. Stadler Mid-Career Maize Genetics Award

Description: The L. Stadler Mid-Career Maize Genetics Award will be given to an individual who has been in an independent position for 9-20 years. The awardee will have an outstanding track record of discovery research in the genetics of maize or related species.

ANC Scoring Rubric: Each criterion may be assessed on a scale of 1-10 for the 1st criterion, and 1-5 for the second 2 criteria, with 1 representing the lowest level of achievements. An overall 20-point score will be calculated by summing the scores across all criteria.

Criteria (20 pt)	Guidelines for Evaluation
Maize Genetics Research (CV) (score 1-10)	Evaluate the significance of research contributions based on the candidate's CV. Consider the impact of maize papers published from the candidate's own lab, particularly as corresponding or joint corresponding author. Adjust your scoring for the field and year in an independent position.
Maize Genetics Research (Letter) (score 1-5)	Evaluate the outstanding research contributions based on the nominee's recommendation letter. Consider the contribution and impact of the nominee's research beyond h-index, impact factor, and citations. If the research is highly collaborative, consider the candidate's unique contributions. If in industry or abroad, the letter should articulate independence. Concentrate on contributions since becoming independent, i.e., running their own group or lab.
Maize Genetics Community (score 1-5)	Evaluate the candidate's involvement in the maize genetics community. Consider whether the candidate is an active member of the community (e.g., MGC member, serving on committee for MGC, attendance at MGM, sending students to MGM, providing resources to the community). Evaluate whether the candidate represents the community in a positive way and whether they teach, mentor, or provide service to the broader plant genetics community.

The R. Emerson Lifetime Maize Genetics Award

Description: The R. Emerson Lifetime Maize Genetics Award recognizes individuals for their extraordinary lifetime achievements in maize genetics. Recipients of this award shall be leaders in the maize community who have made seminal contributions to our understanding of maize genetics. The nominee should have held an independent position for over 20 years and been an active member of the maize genetics community.

ANC Scoring Rubric: Each criterion may be assessed on a scale of 1-10, with 1 representing the lowest level of achievement and 10 representing the highest level of achievement. An overall 20-point score will be calculated by summing the scores across all criteria.

Criteria (20 pt)	Guidelines for Evaluation
Maize Genetics Research (score 1-10)	Consider the impact of maize papers published from the candidate's own lab. Look for publications as corresponding or joint corresponding authorship. Adjust your scoring for the field. Look for the contribution and impact of the nominee's research beyond h-index, impact factor, and citations. If highly collaborative, consider the candidate's unique contributions.
Maize Genetics Community (score 1-10)	Evaluate if the nominee is an active member of the maize genetics community, such as a longtime cooperator, serving on a committee for MGC, attending MGM, sending students to MGM, providing resources to the community, or training many members of the community.

The McClintock Prize for Plant Genetics and Genome Studies

Description: The Barbara McClintock Prize for Plant Genetics and Genome Studies is the most prestigious award from the MGC created to memorialize the unequaled contributions of Dr. McClintock through providing recognition to the most outstanding plant scientists working in both genetics AND genomics (within or outside the maize community) of the present era.

ANC Scoring Rubric: Each criterion may be assessed on a scale of 1-10 for the 1st criterion, and 1-5 for the second 2 criteria, with 1 representing the lowest level of achievements. An overall 20-point score will be calculated by summing the scores across all criteria.

Criteria (20 pt)	Guidelines for Evaluation
Plant Genetics AND Genomics Research (score 1-10)	Evaluate the candidate's contributions to plant genetics and genomics research based on the 250-word statement and selected publications. Determine if they are one of the most outstanding plant scientists in these areas in the present era.
Ratio of Genetics/Genomics Research (score 1-5)	Evaluate if the candidate is equally outstanding in BOTH genetics and genomics based on the 250-word statement and selected publications.
Maize Genetics Community (score 1-5)	Evaluate if the candidate is deserving of the Barbara McClintock Award based on their contributions to the field and impact on the community. Consider if they have been active in supporting the maize genetics community, and if not, evaluate their contributions to the wider plant biology community. Determine why the candidate should be recognized by the community and whether they are worthy of this award in the name of Barbara McClintock.