Description

The ACM SIGDA Outstanding New Faculty Award (ONFA) recognizes a junior faculty member early in their academic career who demonstrates outstanding potential as an educator and or researcher in the field of electronic design automation. While prior teaching and research accomplishments are important, the selection committee places particular emphasis on the impact achieved during the initial years of the candidate’s academic appointment, both within their department and in the broader EDA community.

The award consists of a USD 1,000 cash prize, along with a plaque and a citation.

Eligibility

Outstanding new faculty developing academic careers in areas related to electronic design automation are encouraged to apply. This award is not intended for senior or highly experienced investigators who have already established independent research careers, even if they are new to academia.

Eligible candidates must have completed at least one full academic year and no more than four and a half full academic years in a tenure-track position. Applications will also be considered from individuals in continuing (non-visiting) academic positions with substantial educational responsibilities, regardless of whether they are tenure track. Individuals holding research-only positions are not eligible.

Exceptions to the timing requirements may be made for candidates who have interrupted their academic careers for substantive reasons, such as family or medical leave. The presence of such reasons must be attested by the sponsoring institution; no further explanation is required.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials to the selection committee:

• A two-page statement summarizing the candidate’s teaching and research accomplishments since beginning their current academic position, along with plans for further development over the next five years
• A current curriculum vitae
• A letter of endorsement from the candidate’s department chair or dean

Schedule

The submission deadline for the 2025 ACM SIGDA Outstanding New Faculty Award was 31 May 2025, and the application process for the 2025 award is now closed.

Please stay tuned for the call for applications for the 2026 award, which will be announced through SIGDA communication channels.

2025 Award Committee

Ron Duncan (Synopsys), Tsung-Yi Ho (The Chinese University of Hong Kong), Ambar Sarkar (NVIDIA), Chengmo Yang (University of Delaware), Dirk Ziegenbein (Bosch).

All standard conflict-of-interest regulations as stated in ACM policy apply. Any award committee member will recuse themselves from consideration of any candidate where a conflict of interest exists.

Past Awardees