Storrs Cole established the Gladys W. Cole Memorial Research Award through GSA in memory of his wife. The award provides research support for investigations of the geomorphology of semiarid and arid terrains in the United States and Mexico. In past years, it has been given annually to a GSA Fellow between 30 and 65 years of age who has published one or more significant papers on geomorphology and who submits a proposal for new research. Now, both GSA Members and Fellows are eligible for the award. Funds cannot be used for work already accomplished, but winners of a previous award may reapply if additional support is needed to complete their work. GSA handles the paper work, publicity, and costs related to the Cole Research Award.

Upon establishment of the Gladys W. Cole Memorial Research Award, it was agreed that the Division Management Board would do a preliminary evaluation and ranking of the proposals before evaluation by the GSA Committee on Research Grants. The Secretary compiles the evaluations of the Management Board and sends them on to GSA in time for the meeting of the GSA Committee on Research Grants.