University Awards and Funding Opportunities

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Board of Regents Faculty Award
  The Board of Regents Faculty Award was developed by the Council of University System Faculty (CUSF) in order to publically recognize distinguished performance on the part of faculty members, and to place faculty achievements before the public on a regular basis. Eligible faculty includes all full-time faculty employed by the University of Maryland System, who have distinguished themselves in the areas of teaching, research and scholarship, and service.  One to three $1000 prizes in each of five areas are made to faculty members from research institutions in the areas of Teaching, Scholarship, Public Service (including K-12 programs and clinical practice), Mentoring, and Interinstitutional Collaboration. See also a more detailed description of the award, the campus submission procedures and a list of University award recipients. For additional information, contact Faculty Affairs at (301) 405-6803.
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Creative and Performing Arts Awards (CPAA)
  The Graduate School's Creative and Performing Arts Awards (CAPAA) are offered to assistant, associate, or full professors. Applications are invited from faculty working in art, architecture, creative writing, theater, television, radio, dance, music, film, photography, and similar fields. Faculty awarded a Semester CAPAA will be released from teaching duties during the semester for which the award is granted. Faculty awarded a Summer CAPAA will receive a stipend of $9,000 for two months during the summer for which the award is granted. Awards are made with the understanding that the holder will relinquish the CAPAA if external support is received for the same project for the same period. Award recipients are strongly encouraged to involve a graduate student or students in the funded project in a mentoring relationship and to present methods and results of the funded project, during or immediately following the period of the award, in a forum or fora directed specifically to graduate students (e.g., a lecture, reading, colloquium, workshop, etc). Click here for more information and to download an application form. Contact Robyn Kotzker with questions.
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Departmental Award for Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Teaching
  Jointly sponsored by the Lilly-CTE Teaching Fellows and the Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Studies, this award (a maximum of $5,000) seeks to recognize notable improvements in undergraduate education at the department, program, or University level. Any campus department, program, or interdepartmental program can apply for the award. Submissions should highlight a current activity, which has made important contributions to a significant educational issue in the past two to three years. This could be a new approach to a problem, or a significant advance in an ongoing activity. In line with the award’s purpose, the emphasis should describe how the combined efforts of the unit (not the work of an individual) accomplished the significant result. See the Center for Teaching Excellence's webpage for a more detailed description of the award or contact Spencer Benson at (301) 314-1288.
Distinguished Scholar Teacher Award
  Honors annually 4-6 tenured faculty members who combine outstanding scholarship with teaching excellence. Selected by a committee of former DSTs based on dossiers containing curriculum vitae, teaching dossier, statement about how the nominee integrates research and teaching, external letters of support from distinguished scholars outside the university, and letters of support from current or past students. DSTs receive $5000 to support scholarly and instructional activities; they also deliver a public address and may participate in an Honors seminar. This year's Lecture Series will be available on the web. See a list of Distinguished Scholar-Teacher awardees. A call for nominations takes places at the beginning of each year's fall semester. For more information, see the award criteria and nomination process.
Distinguished University Professor
  This formal title denotes an academic honor of highest distinction and is awarded to a limited number of our most accomplished professors. (See a list of the University's Distinguished University Professors.) Nominees should be established scholars, held in the highest esteem by professional colleagues nationally and internationally, whose contributions have had a significant influence on their discipline and perhaps beyond. The title is accompanied by an annual honorarium of $5000 to support the awardee's professional activities. For more information, see the award criteria and nomination process or contact Elizabeth Wineke at (301) 405-6803.
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Elkins Professorship
 

This professorship is awarded for varying terms of up to three years. Candidates must have a superior record of achievement in an academic or professional discipline; must demonstrate the desire and ability to lead and inspire undergraduate and graduate students in the full range of learning situations; and must demonstrate evidence of significant enterprise at the University System of Maryland. For additional information, see the University System of Maryland award description and the campus submission procedures.
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Faculty Disability Achievement Award
  The President's Commission on Disability Issues sponsors awards to members of the university who have made significant contributions to improving the quality of life for disabled persons at the University of Maryland at College Park. Nominations are requested in late March or early April and the awards ceremony is held in early May. See the President's Commission on Disability Issues's webpage for additional description of the award, a nomination form and a listing of past winners.
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International Activities Grant
  Full-time faculty members are invited to submit a proposal to the International Travel Fund Committee for support of international conferences, seminars, workshops and other activities that are clearly international in scope. Applications must indicate how the proposed activity will enhance the University of Maryland's international profile. Also, the activity must have a significant student component (organization, participation, or audience). When held on campus, the event must be free of charge and open to the general public. This award is given biannually and the deadlines are typically April 15 and November 15. The maximum grant is $2,000. See also additional information and an application form or contact Lucie Covey at (301) 405-8535.
International Service Award
  The Office of International Programs offers the International Service Award. The main criteria for selection are one or more significant contributions to the development of international institutional programs at College Park and a distinguished international career. See also nomination information and application deadlines or contact Saul Sosnowski at (301) 405-4772.
International Travel Grant
  Full-time faculty members are invited to submit a proposal to the International Travel Fund Committee for support to carry out research overseas. Proposals must show the ways in which the applicant and the University of Maryland will benefit from the completion of the project. Awards are made for economy-class travel and assume that other sources of support, particularly from the home department/college, are also being applied to the project. This award is given biannually and the deadlines are typically April 15 and November 15. The maximum grant is economy airfare and a total of $300 for incidental expenses for the entire travel period. See also additional information and an application form or contact Lucie Covey at (301) 405-8535.
Invention of the Year Awards
  Every year, the Office of Technology Commercialization honors one invention in each of the technology areas (information, life and physical sciences) as the "Invention of the Year" award winner. The inventions are nominated in each category and voted on by an independent panel of judges. Awards and a cash prize are presented to the inventors during an on-campus ceremony in April where members of the local business and government communities joining Maryland's faculty, staff, students and administrators to celebrate the University's research efforts.
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Kirwan Faculty Research and Scholarship Prize
  Former University of Maryland President William E. Kirwan and Patricia Kirwan have established a fund to support two annual Prizes. The Kirwan Faculty Research and Scholarship Prize recognizes a faculty member for a highly significant work of research, scholarship, or artistic creativity completed within the last three years. The prize can be awarded for a publication, an invention, a performance, or any other activity within the faculty member's academic discipline. All current full-time tenure-track or tenured faculty are eligible. The prize carries an honorarium of $5000 and is awarded at the Fall Convocation. See also additional information about criteria for the award, the selection process and a nomination form or contact the Dean of the Graduate School, Charles Caramello, at (301) 405-0358.
Kirwan Undergraduate Education Award
  Former University of Maryland President William E. Kirwan and Patricia H. Kirwan have established a fund to support two annual prizes. The Kirwan Undergraduate Award recognizes faculty or staff who have made exceptional contributions to the quality of undergraduate education at the university. The prize carries an honorarium of $5000 and is awarded at the Campus Convocation each fall. See also additional information about criteria for the award, the selection process and a nomination form or contact the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Donna Hamilton at (301) 405-9354.
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Lilly-CTE Teaching Fellows
  Sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Studies and the Center for Teaching Excellence, this is a competitive award to individual faculty at any rank who express a strong and continuing interest in the improvement of teaching. The Lilly-CTE fellowship is awarded to approximately 10 faculty members per year. Fellows participate in a year-long seminar related to the improvement and enhancement of teaching, and work on individual teaching improvement projects, as well as on a collective project to support the improvement of teaching throughout the University. See the Center for Teaching Excellence's webpage for a more detailed description of the award or contact Spencer Benson at (301) 314-1288.
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Minority Achievement Awards for Faculty
  The President’s Commission on Ethnic Minority Issues has established an achievement award to annually recognize two ethnic minority faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to the University’s equity efforts. A nominee from the faculty must show accomplishment as a faculty member, and must have been active on campus and in the community on behalf of improving the status of ethnic minorities. Nominations are generally due in early April and awarded in May. Refer to the President's Commission on Ethnic Minority Issues webpage for additional information, a nomination packet and a list of past award recipients or contact Robert Waters at (301) 405-5793.
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Outstanding Woman of the Year Award
  The President’s Commission on Women’s Issues sponsors this award honoring a compelling record of significant contributions to the improvement of the quality of women’s lives. Candidates will have been a member of our university for at least five years, and will have demonstrated excellence in one or more areas of professional or community leadership, extraordinary service, national recognition for research or literary achievement, outstanding administrative achievement, or excellence in teaching, advising, or mentoring. A plaque is presented to the recipient of the award at a special ceremony during Women’s History Month. The recipient then serves on the Executive Committee of the President's Commission on Women's Issues for one year. Refer to the President's Commission on Women's Issues webpage for additional information, a nomination packet and a list of past award recipients or contact Robert Waters at (301) 405-5793.
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President's Medal
  This award is the highest honor the campus community bestows. The recipient of this award is a member of the community with an exemplary record of sustained and acknowledged contribution to the quality of life on the campus. The candidate’s career must be distinguished by a dedication to the fulfillment of the University’s goals and mission, by professional accomplishments, and by campus service. Particular emphasis is placed on contributions that have had a wide-ranging and enhancing influence on the entire campus community. The deadline for nominations is typically in May. See also nominee eligibility, award criteria and nomination requirements.
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The Regents Professorship
  The Regents Professorship was established by the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland in order to recognize one or more faculty members whose record of scholarly achievement and potential for truly exceptional service to the System and its institutions warrants appointment to this most prestigious rank in the University System. Appointment to a Regents Professorship is made by the Chancellor upon recommendation by one or more of the Presidents of University System of Maryland institutions. A modest monetary award, to be used for travel, research or publication costs, or personnel and equipment costs, accompanies the appointment. Criteria for appointment include national or international recognition for achievements in the arts, the sciences or the professions, and eligibility for appointment to the rank of professor at one or more institutions of the University System. Regents Professors may participate in the advisement and/or instruction of undergraduate students; present an annual public lecture or performance at one of the institutions of the University System of Maryland; or participate in other scholarly activities that will enhance some aspects of the University System of Maryland and some of its components. This may include such activities as curriculum development (formal or informal courses), faculty development, citizen outreach, or organizational enhancement. See also the USM Policy on the Regents Professorship, the campus submission procedures and a list of University recipients of this award. For additional information, contact Elizabeth Wineke at (301) 405-6803.
Research and Scholarship Award
  The Graduate School's Research and Scholarship Awards (RASA) are available to assistant, associate, or full professors. Faculty awarded a Semester RASA will be released from teaching duties during the semester for which the award is granted. Faculty awarded a Summer RASA will receive a stipend of $9,000 for two months during the summer for which the award is granted. Awards are made with the understanding that the holder will relinquish the RASA if external support is received for the same project for the same period Award recipients are strongly encouraged to involve a graduate student or students in the funded project in a mentoring relationship and to present methods and results of the funded project, during or immediately following the period of the award, in a forum or fora directed specifically to graduate students (e.g., a lecture, reading, colloquium, workshop, etc.). Click here for more information or to download an application form. Contact Robyn Kotzker with questions.
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Women of Color Award
  The President’s Commission on Women’s Issues Subcommittee on Women of Color recognizes the accomplishments and contributions made by women of color to the minority community at the University of Maryland at College Park. Candidates are faculty, staff or student women of color and individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the University’s minority community. Refer to the President's Commission on Women's Issues webpage for additional information, a nomination packet and a list of past award recipients or contact Robert Waters at (301) 405-5793.