University Guidelines from the Rice University General Announcements:

Distinction in research and creative works is a university award for select undergraduates, granted a commencement, which appears on the transcript and diploma. Students must apply with their department or program to be considered for the award and a letter from a faculty member must support the application.

Eligibility for the award extends widely to include a variety of research, design, and other creative projects, as well as persistent dedication to research. Projects completed in part or entirely at other institutions or with community partners will be eligible for consideration.

Applicants must be in good academic standing in courses completed at Rice.

Also, of further note:

The award will be granted only to projects that produce a concrete outcome -- e.g. an essay, invention, design, art exhibition, project or performance, or musical composition -- and demonstrate commitment and/or achievement above and beyond the norm. Students who complete senior theses, senior design projects or other required senior capstone projects shall not qualify automatically for consideration for this university distinction.

Department of Art application must include:

1. Application form, including portfolio that includes 10-20 images and/or a two-minute video (not to exceed 120 seconds)
2. A written artist statement no more than one page
3. Letter of support from an Art faculty member
4. Public exhibition, screening, publication, or performance that includes a lecture or artist talk component by applicant

The department requires exceptional evidence of success, as defined by completion of a project - body of work, with a scheduled talk presenting that body of work.

Support through the application process will be available through the department with faculty mentors.

Deadlines: Contact department administrators for current deadlines and instructions.

A department committee will judge applications for distinction. Work deemed "above and beyond" expectation will be considered for Distinction. The department will select a very limited number of students for this award of distinction in research and creative work.