2026 HCSRN Awards 

HCSRN recognizes outstanding contributions across the network through its annual awards program, presented at the Annual Conference. Members are encouraged to nominate themselves or colleagues for consideration. Watch for email announcements with details on the nomination process and submission link.

This award recognizes an early-stage investigator who has shown exceptional promise, productivity, and commitment to advancing research in HCSRN-like settings. Nominees should exemplify innovation, collaboration, and represent the future of health systems science.

Purpose: Celebrates early-career investigators* for excellence in research.

*Definition: Anyone who has never received an RO1 award or its equivalent.

Eligibility: Open to all HCSRN members

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This award recognizes a team that has successfully translated research into practice within a health care delivery system. Nominees should demonstrate meaningful implementation of evidence-based research resulting in measurable improvements in care delivery, patient outcomes, workflow efficiency, or health system policy.

Purpose: Team award that recognizes health/delivery system implemented research products at HCSRN member sites

Eligibility: Open to all HCSRN members

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This award recognizes an HCSRN member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to mentoring and supporting the professional growth of others within the network. Nominees should exemplify leadership, generosity in sharing knowledge and expertise, and a sustained commitment to guiding colleagues and emerging investigators.

Purpose: Honors individuals who provide exceptional mentorship within HCSRN.

Eligibility: Open to all HCSRN members regardless of role.

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This award recognizes a research team that has successfully collaborated across multiple HCSRN member sites to address complex health system research questions. Nominees should demonstrate strong cross-site collaboration and effective use of shared resources, such as the Virtual Data Warehouse (VDW), to generate insights that would not be possible at a single site.

Purpose: Recognizes collaborative research across HCSRN member sites using the Virtual Data Warehouse (VDW).

Eligibility:

  • Must involve participants from at least two of the 19 HCSRN member sites.

  • Must demonstrate use of the HCSRN VDW.

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This award recognizes a recently published paper that has made a significant contribution to health systems research or has the potential to influence science, research methods, health care delivery, policy, or patient outcomes. Nominees should reflect the type of innovative, impactful work made possible through research conducted in HCSRN-like settings.

Purpose: Recognizes a published paper with significant impact and relevance to HCSRN.

Eligibility: Papers published from 4/15/2025 through 2/16/2026. First or Last Author at a minimum to be HCSRN members.  Papers that have appeared in print or as an e-publication can be considered. Embargoed papers are not eligible for consideration.

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This award recognizes a programmer or analyst who has demonstrated exceptional technical expertise and dedication in supporting HCSRN research efforts. Nominees should exemplify innovation, collaboration, and the critical role that programmers and analysts play in advancing high-quality, multi-site research in HCSRN-like settings.

Purpose: Recognizes programmers who have worked on HCSRN multi-site projects

Eligibility: Open to all HCSRN members

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This award recognizes a project coordinator or manager whose leadership and organizational expertise help ensure the success of complex HCSRN research initiatives. Nominees should demonstrate exceptional coordination, collaboration, and the ability to align investigators, analysts, clinicians, and stakeholders while managing timelines, budgets, and regulatory requirements.


Purpose: Recognizes project coordinators/managers or the equivalent who have worked on HCSRN projects

Eligibility: Open to all HCSRN members

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Recognizes pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees who have demonstrated excellence in research and made meaningful contributions to HCSRN activities. This award highlights emerging investigators who show strong potential for future leadership in health care systems research.

Eligibility: Open to pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees affiliated with HCSRN member sites or related academic institutions.

Click here to nominate