The SPARTAN Board of Directors is inviting nominations for the SPARTAN Research Career Achievement Award and the inaugural SPARTAN Distinguished Service Award. These awards recognize individuals with outstanding contributions to the field of spondyloarthritis and/or the development of the SPARTAN organization. SPARTAN awards aim to celebrate excellence in research, leadership, and service to the SPARTAN community. The awards are described in detail below.
Nominations should be submitted no later than February 10, 2025, via email to lisa@spartangroup.org. Please include a concise nomination letter detailing the nominee’s accomplishments, ensuring alignment with the evaluation criteria outlined below. The Governance Committee will review all submissions to provide a recommendation to the SPARTAN Board of Directors. Awards will be presented at the SPARTAN Annual Meeting on May 9, 2025, in Toronto.
SPARTAN Research Career Achievement Award
Award Description: The Research Career Achievement Award honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to clinical, translational or basic science research in the field of spondyloarthritis.
Past Recipients: Juergen Braun, Daniel Clegg, Robert Colbert, Maxime Dougados, Luis Espinoza, Rob Inman, Muhammad Asim Khan, John Reveille, Jim Rosenbaum, Joel Taurog, David Yu, Michael Weisman
Eligibility: Open to researchers globally, with or without SPARTAN membership, although preference will be given to SPARTAN members. The nominee must have an outstanding research record and demonstrate significant impact on the field of spondyloarthritis.
Award Terms: This is a one-time, merit-based award. Recipients will receive a personalized plaque and be recognized at the SPARTAN Annual Meeting, in SPARTAN communications, and on the SPARTAN website.
Application Requirements: A nomination letter from a SPARTAN member.
Application Evaluation Criteria: The Governance Committee will assess nominations based on the nominee’s development of a cohesive spondyloarthritis research program, innovation, productivity, and the impact of their publications on the field.
SPARTAN Distinguished Service Award
Award Description: The Distinguished Service Award recognizes SPARTAN members who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service, contributing significantly to the development and growth of the SPARTAN organization.
Eligibility: Open to SPARTAN members who have held leadership roles and actively contributed to the organization’s strategic goals. Current members of the SPARTAN Board of Directors are not eligible.
Award Terms: This is a one-time, merit-based award. Recipients will receive a personalized plaque and be recognized at the SPARTAN Annual Meeting, in SPARTAN communications, and on the SPARTAN website.
Application Requirements: A nomination letter from a SPARTAN member.
Application Evaluation Criteria: The Governance Committee will consider all eligible nominations. Domains for evaluation include impact on organizational development, leadership roles in the SPARTAN organization or SPARTAN projects, and mentorship of junior SPARTAN members.