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UCF Travel Award for Recognition of Faculty Excellence (TARFE)

Table of Contents

Award Info

Applications Open
February 27, 2026
Applications Close
April 1, 2026
Notification Date
April 17, 2026
Award Contact
facultyexcellence@ucf.edu

  1. Program Overview

    This award supports the objective in our strategic plan to “Double the number of national and international recognitions of faculty and student excellence by 2021, and quadruple recognition by 2035”. The award supports travel for faculty who are being recognized for a distinguished achievement or having a significant honor bestowed upon them, in addition to supporting travel for faculty presenting their research or creative work. 

    The University Travel Awards for Recognition of Faculty Excellence is managed by the University Travel Awards Committee, a joint committee of the Faculty Senate. For details regarding the committee, see facultysenate.ucf.edu. 

    The goal of TARFE is to support activities that allow faculty to achieve international prominence in graduate study and research while increasing the national and international recognition of UCF. Being selected to receive this award and being recognized for excellence in your field brings credit to the department while positioning UCF in national and international scholarly arenas, therefore increasing UCF’s reach and visibility. Full-time regular faculty (not visiting) may apply for TARFE to receive $1000 in advance for upcoming travel and accommodation expenses to be paid with Education & General (E&G) funds. Award decisions will be determined by the  Faculty Senate University Travel Awards committee based on the application information submitted.

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  2. Eligibility and Criteria

    Please review the eligibility requirements prior to applying.

    • Must be full-time regular faculty member 
    • One award per faculty member per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30)

     

    Travel MUST be for the purpose of: 

    • Presenting the faculty’s research or creative work; or 
    • Being recognized for a distinguished professional achievement in research, teaching or service 
    • In the event of “Team” recognition only one faculty member may receive this award. This decision is left to the Department Chair/Director or Division/Unit Head.

     

    Committee Considerations:

    • Primary considerations:
      • Host organization/institution prestige, relevance, importance, etc.
      • Type of recognition or presentation.
      • Selectivity of recognition or presentation.
      • Increase in prominence, visibility, or recognition for the faculty and UCF.
    • Additional considerations:
      • International travel vs domestic travel
      • Receiving recognition vs presenting
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  3. Application Cycles and Deadlines

    There will be 3 application cycles for 2026-27 travel.

    • Cycle 1 = July – October Travel
      • Applications Open: February 27, 2026
      • Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026
      • Committee Decisions: April 17, 2026
      • (Funds will be distributed on July 1, at the start of the fiscal year)
    • Cycle 2 = November – February Travel
      • Applications Open: August 8, 2026 (tentative)
      • Submission Deadline: September 15, 2026 (tentative)
      • Committee Decisions: October 7, 2026 (tentative)
    • Cycle 3 = March – June Travel
      • Applications Open: November 1, 2026 (tentative)
      • Submission Deadline: January 2, 2027 (tentative)
      • Committee Decisions: January 30, 2027 (tentative)

     

    Should the $1,000 award exceed the cost of the proposed trip, the remaining amount of the award may be used to cover other travel expenditures. TARFE funds are to be spent within the fiscal year for which the proposed travel takes place.

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  4. Application Procedures and Contents

    To apply, complete the application form linked here:
    TARFE AWARD APPLICATION FORM – 2026-27 Cycle 1: July – October Travel

    Application Process:

    • The faculty applicant will complete the form.
    • The University Travel Committee reviews the applications and selects awardees.
    • The applicant’s Chair, Director, Dean, or Unit-Head is notified for approval.
    • Faculty Excellence works with the appropriate Budget and Finance business centers to award the funds.

    Summary of Application Form Contents:

    • Applicant Information (Name, Position, Unit, Contact Information, etc.)
    • Travel Information (Travel Dates, Location, etc.)
    • Organization Information (Host Organization, Awarding Body, Level of Recognition, Link to Organization’s Website, etc.)
    • Activity Information (Type of activity, purpose of travel, description of activity, selectivity, benefit of award, etc.)

     

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  5. Notification of Awards

    Notifications will be sent via email to the applicant, chair/director/unit-head, and appropriate budget/finance business center personnel.
    TARFE funds will be provided by Journal ID to the appropriate E&G account that will support the travel and will not exceed $1000. 

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