The Distinguished Contributions to Music Education Award recognizes individuals who, over a significant number of years, have been exceptionally productive scholars in music education. This important award is given every other year, on even years, and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of Music Education researchers. Awards will only be given when the nominations received are of high quality and meet the stated criteria. An AERA plaque will be presented to the winner of this award at the Music Education SIG business meeting and will be invited to speak at the business meeting, as the keynote speaker or in addition to the keynote speaker.

Previous Recipients
2015: Colleen Conway, University of Michigan

Criteria

• Evidence of significant contribution to the field of research in the profession.
• Existence of a body of work spanning 10 years or more.
• Evidence of service to the research community (editorial boards, reviewer, discussant, conference organizer, contributions to the growth of new researchers, such as mentoring, teaching, co-author/ co-presenter with students and/or new faculty members (0–6 years as a teacher educator).
• Ability to communicate in effective ways with those who would benefit from the research findings (evidence of non-research seminars, essays, panels, invited presentations).

Application Process
An invitation to nominate individuals for the Distinguished Contributions to Music Education Award will be sent to all current Music Education SIG members in November of every odd year. Only current members of the Music Education SIG may nominate candidates. Portfolios will consist of two letters of nomination written by current SIG members detailing the contributions of the nominee and the nominee’s curriculum vitae. Materials will be forwarded to the Awards Committee Chairperson by January 5^th of every even year. Committee members will evaluate each candidate on the criteria stated above (research, presentations, and service).

The Outstanding Early Career Paper in Music Education Award recognizes an outstanding music education paper presented at the AERA annual meeting by an early career music education researcher. The completed paper is the basis for the final determination for the award. The Outstanding Early Career Paper Award in Music Education may be awarded annually. A certificate will be presented to the winner at the Music Education SIG business meeting. The Outstanding Early Career Paper Award winner will also receive a $200 travel reimbursement stipend.

Previous recipients
2016: Julia Shaw, Ohio State University
2015: Elizabeth Cassidy Parker, Temple University
2014: Kristen Pellegrino, University of Texas-San Antonio

Criteria
To be eligible for the Outstanding Early Career Paper Award in Music Education, a researcher must (a) have a paper accepted for presentation by the Music Education SIG at the AERA annual meeting, (b) submit a sole-authored paper, and (c) have received a doctorate or other terminal degree within the past six years. Then, the author must submit a final paper (@20-25 pages), which presents the results of a disciplined analysis of data with theory/theoretical framework and advances the cumulative knowledge in the field. Finally, the researcher must register for and present that paper at the annual meeting.

Application Process
Applications for the award will include: (a) final paper, (b) abstract, (c) proof that the researcher was awarded a doctoral degree within six years of the application (such as a pdf of the signature page from a dissertation, a downloaded pdf of their dissertation from Proquest, or a transcript from the institution), and (d) a cover letter e-mailed to the Awards Committee Chairperson by January 5th. This final paper must be of journal submission quality in size and substance. The cover letter must include the following information: a statement that the paper is a submission for the Outstanding Early Career Paper in Music Education Award; the nominee’s name, institutional affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address; and a statement indicating the form of proof that the researcher was awarded a doctoral degree within six years of the application that is attached to the application.

The Outstanding Graduate Paper in Music Education Award recognizes an outstanding music education paper presented by a graduate student at the AERA annual meeting. Researchers submitting papers based on their dissertations should apply for this award, even if this submission occurs after the degree has been conferred upon the researcher. The Outstanding Graduate Paper Award in Music Education may be awarded annually. A certificate will be presented to the winner at the Music Education SIG business meeting. The Outstanding Graduate Paper Award winner will also receive a $200 travel reimbursement stipend.

Previous Recipients
2015: Jared Rawlings, University of Michigan 

Criteria
To be eligible for the Outstanding Graduate Paper Award in Music Education, a researcher must (a) have a paper accepted for presentation by the Music Education SIG at the AERA annual meeting, (b) submit a sole-authored paper, and (c) either be a graduate student or a researcher submitting a paper based on his/her dissertation. Then, the author must submit a final paper (@20-25 pages), which presents the results of a disciplined analysis of data with theory/theoretical framework and advances the cumulative knowledge in the field. Finally, the researcher must register for and present that paper at the annual meeting. 

Application Process
Applications for the award will include: (a) the final paper, (b) abstract, and (c) a cover letter e-mailed to the Awards Committee Chairperson by January 5th. This final paper must be of journal submission quality in size and substance. The cover letter must include the following information: a statement that the paper is a submission for the Outstanding Graduate Paper in Music Education Award, the nominee’s name, institutional affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address.