Spencer Shorte Legacy Award
Spencer Shorte Legacy Award: Honoring a Legacy of Character
The Spencer Shorte Legacy Award Selection Committee, with support from the CTLS Board of Directors and the ABRF Executive Board, are proud to announce that the nomination period for this honorable award is now open. Spencer Shorte was an accomplished researcher and a fierce advocate of Shared Research Resources, whose contributions and impacts to Core Facility operations, management, and reputation were felt across the globe. Beyond this, Spencer had amazing character and constantly supported and encouraged those around him, motivating us to do and to be more than we thought possible.
The Spencer Shorte Legacy (SSL) Award honors those who embody this spirit of community, lasting impact, and selflessness that was Spencer Shorte. Serving as a living tribute to this esteemed individual who never made it about himself, the SSL Award does not focus on one single discovery or an individual act, but rather the collective that makes the recipient a force magnifier for those around them, and for the benefit of others, not themselves.
Benefits of the SSL Award include:
- Recognition and presentation at the ABRF National Meeting and CTLS Biennial Congress
- Up to USD$15,000 of financial support for a self-directed project that exemplifies Spencer Shorte’s legacy
- Awardee’s details and project accomplishments on the SSL Award web page
Nominations may be submitted here until September 22, 2026. Self-nominations are not allowed.
More information may be found at both the ABRF and CTLS SSL Award pages.
2026 - Kevin Eliceiri - Read More
The Association of Biomolecular Research Facilities (ABRF) and the Core Technologies for Life Sciences (CTLS) are pleased to announce the Spencer Shorte Legacy Award to recognize efforts to uplift the community.
About the Honoree
Spencer Shorte was widely recognized for his exceptional scientific contributions. The Spencer Shorte Legacy Award honors not only these accomplishments, but also the humanity by which he lived—qualities that made him a deeply respected figure. He was a gifted scientist and an accomplished individual investigator who merged multidisciplinary technologies to advance capability and discovery across decades, countries, and continents.
Spencer was remembered even more for his extraordinary character. His humility allowed him to collaborate openly and learn from others, his community focus inspired him to build up those around him, and his selfless nature put the needs of others before his own. The warmth he showed to everyone he met made a profound and lasting impact. His legacy lives on in the colleagues he elevated, mentored, and nurtured with such grace and humility. It is hard to encapsulate the breadth and depth of his impact on any single accolade.
This award serves as a living tribute to Spencer's memory by honoring someone who embodies these core values. The recipient is not selected for a single discovery or a list of publications, but for the exemplary way they conduct themselves — for their dedication to uplifting their community, their quiet selflessness, their unwavering integrity, and the genuine warmth they bring to every interaction. It is a way to ensure that Spencer’s ethos, spirit of kindness and collaboration continues to influence and inspire others for years to come.
Benefits: Spencer Shorte Legacy Award
- Travel, meals, and accommodation expenses to attend the ABRF Annual Meeting and the CTLS Biennial Congress
- Recognition and Award presentation during each meeting
- Awardee’s details (name, affiliation, year awarded) listed as recipients on the Spencer Shorte Legacy Award
- Up to $15,000 towards a recipient-led program that is focused on community building
Award Eligibility
Recipients are required to be an ABRF or CTLS member in good standing.
- August 18 SSL Award Announcement and Nominations Open
- September 22 Nominations Due
- October 6 Finalists Notified
- November 10 Finalists' Applications Due
- ABRF Annual Meeting Award Presentations
and CTLS Biennial Congress
Nominations for the Spencer Shorte Legacy (SSL) Award are accepted during the open nomination period. Submit nominations to the Spencer Shorte Legacy Award Committee via ABRF Executive Director Ken Schoppmann by September 22 through the Award Nomination Form. The SSL Award will be presented at the ABRF Annual Meeting and the CTLS Biennial Congress.
Nomination Criteria:
The SSL Award Selection Committee will accept nominations for individuals whose efforts have significantly contributed to a more integrated and cohesive community through one or more of the following avenues:
- Humility and open collaboration
- Consistently learns from others, shares credit, and works across teams or disciplines
- Dedication to community-building
- Actively uplifts, mentors, and supports colleagues; fosters growth among those around them
- Creates a lasting positive impact on the culture and capacity of the scientific community
- Selflessness and service orientation
- Regularly prioritizes others' needs over personal recognition; practices “quiet leadership”
- Genuine warmth and kindness
- Treats people with respect and care; promotes an inclusive, welcoming environment
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Maintains high standards of honesty and fairness in research and interpersonal interactions
- Demonstrated scientific advancement with multi-institutional impact
- Evidence of creating bridges to advance capability and discovery
- Contributions spanning multiple years and, ideally, across countries/continents
Selection Criteria
- Alignment with Spencer Shorte’s values of kindness, collaboration, and humility (Read Spencer Shorte’s Bio) (40%)
- Recognizes how the nominee conducts themselves and their influence on others, not just the number of discoveries or publications (30%)
- Scientific and collaborative impact (20%)
- Strength of nomination evidence (10%)
Please share this information with your colleagues and invite them to nominate eligible individuals for this significant award.
Contact us if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Spencer Shorte Legacy Award Selection Committee
