The Board of Regents established the Regents' Researcher Award in 1992. This award is bestowed upon faculty members with a substantial record of accomplishments, including a significant amount of research and scholarly work with recognition, clear evidence of the national and/or international stature of the research, and in the case of grants and contracts, must have been competitive on a national or international level. The honoree receives a $5,000 stipend and a medal. The 2016 honoree is Dr. Lawrence Walker of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The Board of Regents established the Regents' Rising Researcher Award in 2008. This award is bestowed upon one faculty member at each Nevada research institution in recognition of their early-career accomplishments and potential for future advancement and recognition in research. The honoree receives a $2,000 award. The 2016 honorees are Dr. Elisabeth Hausrath, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Dr. Henry Fu, University of Nevada, Reno; and Dr. Adam C. Watts, Desert Research Institute.