Rahtz Prize for TEI Ingenuity

About the Rahtz Prize

The TEI Consortium has created the Rahtz Prize for TEI Ingenuity in memory of Sebastian Rahtz (13 February 1955 – 15 March 2016). The award is intended to honour Sebastian’s major technical and philosophical contributions to the TEI, and to encourage TEI innovation by the TEI community.

Sebastian was responsible for the design and implementation of a great deal of the TEI's technical infrastructure. Within the TEI community he was best known for the creation and maintenance of the XSLT Stylesheets that underlie much TEI conversion work, customization, and schema generation. As a member of both the TEI's Technical Council and its Board, he helped shape the direction of the Consortium.

The Rahtz Prize for TEI Ingenuity is awarded to an individual or team judged to have made a significant contribution to the TEI-C's mission in particular by means of technical innovation. Many members of the TEI Community are engaged in exploring new ways of implementing and expanding the coverage of the TEI system. It is hoped that this Prize will not only recognize excellent work already completed, but also encourage new projects and fresh approaches.

Important Info and Dates

• $1,000 USD will be awarded to one individual or team per year
• 1 August: Submissions Due
• 15 September: Winner Selected
• Annual Business Meeting: Winner Announced

Submission Rules and Guidelines

Applications for the Rahtz Prize for TEI Ingenuity may be submitted online (https://goo.gl/forms/ZX4NKQ3cPHnBvSxK2) at any time but must be submitted by midnight in Hawaii on 1 August in order to be considered for awarding at that year's TEI members' meeting.

Along with contact information, applicants will be asked to submit a 500-1,500 summary describing the project/initiative. This summary should reflect the TEI-C's mission and the criteria as outlined below.

Eligibility

• Individuals or teams are eligible to apply. Membership to the TEI-Consortium is not a requirement.
• If awarded, the individuals/teams are eligible to submit another application three (3) years after the granted award.

Review Process and Criteria

Nominations will be reviewed by an Awards Panel comprising the Chair of the TEI-C Board of Directors, the Chair of the TEI-C Technical Council, and one invited, long-time and active member of the TEI Community. No member of the Panel may serve more than three consecutive years. Membership of the Panel will be agreed upon jointly by the Board and the Council by 1 July.

Nominations should demonstrate that the person or team nominated has made an outstanding contribution to one or more of the following:

• innovative development of the TEI Guidelines
• creation of TEI-aware tools and technologies that further dissemination, adoption, and engaged use of the TEI Guidelines
• expansive and inclusive TEI training and outreach opportunities
• informed development and cultivation of particular TEI practitioner communities

The Awards Panel is not required to make an award in every year, nor to consider only the nominations received.

Terms

The recipient(s) will receive a cash award of $1,000 USD, or a round number of about the same value in the currency in which the prize is to be awarded. The final selection is made by the panel of judges and announced as part of the Business Meeting, which occurs as part of the annual TEI-C Conference and Members' Meeting. The disbursement of the cash award is arranged through the TEI-C Treasurer.