Excellence in Graduate Teaching – In-Unit

Program Overview

UCF sponsors the In-Unit Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award to recognize outstanding graduate-level teaching. Each college may select one teaching award recipient. The college awardees will also be considered for one additional University Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching.

Funding

Each college-level recipient shall receive a one-time payment of $2,000.

One university-level recipient will be selected to receive an additional $2,000. Award amounts are treated as income and are subject to normal withholding tax.

Eligibility

All full-time employees in the appropriate discipline with at least three academic years of continuous non-visiting, non-OPS service at UCF immediately prior to the current academic year are eligible, except for employees who have received a college or university excellence award in the past three academic years in the category for which they are applying.

• Employees must have contributed significantly to graduate education, including substantial teaching of graduate courses (including thesis and dissertation courses) over the current academic year and the three preceding academic years.
• Must not have received an Excellence in Graduate Teaching award in the past three academic years.

See Article 23.6 (c) in the current collective bargaining agreement for additional information.

Criteria

The criteria for evaluating applicants’ files shall include three major categories:

1. Innovations to improve graduate teaching;
2. Graduate Teaching accomplishments/honors;
3. Evidence of impact on graduate teaching.

Application: Steps, Timeline, and Materials

Award applications are summited through Faculty Insight. Please contact your dean’s office for more information.

Step 1: Intent to Apply (9/14/26 – 10/16/26)

• Submit the INTENT TO APPLY FORM: Excellence Awards 2026-27 by 10/16/26.
  • If you intend to apply for multiple Excellence Awards submit the form once for each award.

Step 2: Candidate Packet Build (105/26 – 11/9/26)

• Build and submit the application package in Faculty Insight.
• Application Materials 
  • Teaching Materials (previous three years)
  • Syllabi for Graduate Courses (previous three years)
  • Curriculum Vitae (previous three years)
    • Recent presentations and creative activities, publications, and research related to graduate teaching;
    • Graduate teaching accomplishments and honors related to graduate teaching excellence;
    • Development of graduate programs, courses, and teaching materials.
    • Evidence of participation in activities to develop graduate course materials; and,
    • Participation in or facilitation of a graduate teaching workshop or similar activity.
  • Other (optional)
    • E.g., letters from graduate students (please include date and indicate for each letter whether it was or was not solicited).
      • Letters must not be solicited from current students.
  • Text Boxes
    • Graduate Teaching Philosophy Statement – Required (3000 characters – approximately 428-750 words or fewer)
      • This is a plain text field. Bolded, colored, underlined, highlighted, bulleted, and number font is not supported at this time.
    • Graduate Teaching Strategies Statement – Required (3000 characters – approximately 428-750 words or fewer)
      • This is a plain text field. Bolded, colored, underlined, highlighted, bulleted, and number font is not supported at this time.
    • List of Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Students Advised – Required (3000 characters – approximately 428-750 words or fewer)
      • This is a plain text field. Bolded, colored, underlined, highlighted, bulleted, and number font is not supported at this time.

Step 3: College Committee Review (11/10/26 – 1/11/27)

Step 4: College Admin Verification and Notification Letter (1/12/27 – 1/19/27)

Step 5: University Committee Review (1/20/27 – 2/15/27)

Step 6: Administrative Verification (2/16/27 – 2/19/27)

Step 7: Notification (2/26/27)

Evaluation and Award Process

College Evaluation and Award Process

The dean of each college will charge a faculty committee to evaluate all applications and make recommendations for the College Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award. College recipients automatically compete for the University Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award.

University Evaluation and Award Process

The Graduate Council makes recommendations for the University Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching.

Awards are ultimately determined by the Provost or designee.