Honoring Excellence in Rural Sociology Awards and Endowments

RSS Awards recognize outstanding contributions to rural sociology through a variety of annual awards and funding opportunities that support research, outreach, and education. Grants and awards may be given for achievements in academic research, community engagement, innovative projects, or professional service.

Nominators should ensure candidates for any award meet the RSS Code of Ethics standards. Award recipients must adhere to these standards.

Distinguished Service to Rural Life Award

Recognizes individuals, organizations, or collectives for outstanding contributions to rural life, people, or policy—especially in non-academic settings.

Margaret Hagood Distinguished Rural Sociologist Award

Honors RSS members for superior career contributions to rural sociology through research, teaching, extension, public service, and/or policy.

Excellence in Research Award

Recognizes outstanding contributions to rural-oriented research and/or theory by an RSS member.

Excellence in Instruction Award

Recognizes innovative and impactful rural-oriented teaching at the graduate or undergraduate level.

Minnie Miller Brown Excellence in Extension and Public Service Award

Honors RSS members in academic settings who have made significant contributions to extension and public outreach that impact rural communities.

Excellence in Service to the Rural Sociological Society Award

Recognizes RSS members who have provided exceptional service and effort on behalf of the Society.

Olaf Larson Graduate Student Paper Award

Encourages graduate student involvement and professional development by awarding the best graduate student paper submitted for the RSS Annual Meeting.

Frederick H. Buttel Outstanding Scholarly Achievement Award

Recognizes a recent scholarly work (book or journal article, alternating annually) that exemplifies excellence in rural sociology.

Master’s Thesis Research Award

Supports graduate student research in rural sociology for master’s thesis projects.

Dissertation Research Award

Supports graduate student research that advances the field of rural sociology and helps foster the development of future rural sociologists.

Early Career Research Award

Supports early-stage scholars in rural sociology by funding small-scale research projects that advance their academic careers and contribute to the broader mission of the RSS.

Lawrence Busch Award for Graduate Student Research on Food and Agriculture

Supports graduate student research on the social dimensions of food and agriculture, fostering scholarly development and advancing the Society’s commitment to food and agricultural issues.

William R. Freudenburg Award of Merit 

Recognizes exceptional contributions to natural resources and environmental sociology through impactful scholarship, applied work, and a lasting legacy of mentorship, outreach, and service.