This award was established in 2025. The inaugural award will be presented in 2026.

This award is named in honor of Dr. Felice J. Levine, AERA Executive Director (2002-2025) in recognition of her commitments and exemplary contributions to mentoring and leadership development for researchers across career stages. The Dr. Felice J. Levine Distinguished Contributions to Mentoring in Research and Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in mentoring students and early career scholars to become exemplary researchers and leaders who contribute to the knowledge base of our field. This award is bestowed on a senior researcher at least twenty years after receiving their doctorate.