Research Incentive Awards – In-Unit

Program Overview

The UCF Research Incentive Award (RIA) program rewards excellence in research and creative activity. The RIA program aligns with UCF’s strategic plan, Unleashing Potential, especially in priority areas focused on Discovery and Exploration as well as Community and Culture. The RIA program is also included in UCF’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Funding

Regardless of the contract length (9 through 12 months), award recipients shall receive a one-time award of $5,000 as soon as practicable and a $5,000 increase to their salary effective at the beginning of the succeeding academic year. Employees on non-E&G funding will be eligible for the increase depending on the availability of funds.

There are up to 60 awards available to eligible in-unit employees. Academic Affairs provides funding for these awards. RIA awards shall be allocated to the college in proportion to the total number of in-unit employees (rounded to the nearest integer), with a minimum of one award per college.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, an employee must meet the following criteria:

1. Must be classified as in-unit.
2. Must hold a full-time (1.0 FTE) 9- or 12-month appointment.
3. At least four academic years of continuous, non-OPS service at UCF immediately prior to the current academic year. Authorized leaves are not considered a break in service (e.g., sabbaticals, professional development leave, parental leave). Visiting and other temporary appointments are not eligible for incentive awards.
4. No employee may be awarded a RIA more than once every five years.

Application

Intent to Apply:

Intent to Apply – RIA & TIP – Submit by 11/30/26 

Applications are submitted through Faculty Insight.

Text Box Narratives:

• Research – Primary Area (text box 3000 characters – approximately 428-750 words or fewer)
  • Describe your primary area of research or creative activity.
• Research – Secondary Area (text box 3000 characters – approximately 428-750 words or fewer)
  • If applicable, describe your secondary research areas of interest. If you do not have a secondary area of research, indicate “N/A” in the text box.
• Achievements and Recognition (text box 3000 characters – approximately 428-750 words or fewer)
  • Describe the research or creative achievements, including dates for these activities, discuss any new discoveries, major contributions to the field, creativeness, originality, significant breakthroughs, etc.

Supporting Materials / Uploads:

• Current Curriculum Vitae 
• Annual Assignments

2. • A summary table listing, by year, the FTE for all categories for which you had assigned duties (e.g., teaching, research, service) on your annual assignments for each of the past four (4) academic years.

• Annual Evaluations

3. • A summary table listing, by year, the rating for each category of evaluation assessment (e.g., outstanding, above satisfactory, etc.) on your annual evaluations for each of the past four (4) academic years.

• Examples of Research Products (Maximum of Three Uploads)

4. • Candidates must attach, or include, a maximum of three examples of their work, each as a single pdf.   Examples must be from the last four years and provide evidence of quality rather than quantity. Examples include awards, book reviews, etc.
   • Please do not use Adobe Portfolio.  

Evaluation and Awards Process

Award winners are selected by committee. Please see the Collective Bargaining Agreement for committee instruction RIA: Article 23 Annual Incentive Award Programs.

The provost or his or her designee shall give the final approval for awards and shall notify successful faculty. After approval by the provost or designee, each college/unit shall notify all nominees of the results.