Awards for Teaching Excellence
Celebrating the 2026 Awards for Teaching Excellence Recipients
These educators are making a profound impact across the U of A, from groundbreaking research and life-changing mentorship to innovative teaching that inspires the next generation.
The University of Alberta is deeply committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service. To celebrate the outstanding achievements within our community, we offer several awards to honor the notable contributions of our members.
Normally, applicants are eligible to receive only one Award for Teaching Excellence in a given year.
Nominate an Outstanding Colleague Today!
These awards recognize excellence in teaching and celebrate educators who have made significant contributions to student learning, demonstrate innovative teaching practices, and create inclusive and engaging learning environments.
Who Can Be Nominated: We invite nominations for all eligible academic staff members. Details on award eligibility and criteria can be found below.
How to Nominate: To nominate a deserving educator, please submit a completed nomination form. Nominees will be contacted and invited to apply.
Nomination Deadline: For the 2026-27 awards cycle, please submit your nominations by December 1, 2026.
This is an excellent opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding educators who make a difference in the lives of our students and the broader educational community. We encourage you to take this chance to nominate someone who exemplifies excellence in teaching!
For more information about the award and the nomination process, please contact excellence.awards@ualberta.ca.
A nomination is not require to apply for the awards. We welcome applications from all eligible members of our community!
Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching
The Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching recognizes graduate-level teaching excellence and is intended to publicize such excellence to the University and the wider community, to encourage the pursuit of such excellence, and to promote informed discussion of graduate teaching and its improvement at the University of Alberta.
Eligibility
Any Continuing Academic Staff at the University of Alberta from the following categories (as outlined in the UAPPOL Recruitment Policy [Appendix A]) may apply:
- A1 (Schedule A - Academic Faculty Member, Scheduled F - Administrative and Professional Officers [APO] Member, Schedule B - Faculty Service Officers [FSO] Member, Schedule C - Librarian);
- A2.1 (Schedule D - Academic Teaching Staff [ATS] Members [Career, Term 12, Term Recurring])
If you have any questions about your eligibility or believe you should be eligible but do not appear to meet the listed criteria, please contact us at excellence.awards@ualberta.ca
Funds in the amount of $1500 will be awarded to recipients.
Application Process
Application deadline: Applications are due by 9:00 A.M. on January 15, 2027.
Provost's Award for Early Achievement of Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
The Provost's Award for Early Achievement of Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching recognizes publicly the achievement of teaching excellence, and is intended to publicize such excellence to the University and the wider community, to encourage the pursuit of achievement of such inclusive excellence among newly appointed academic staff, and to promote informed discussion of teaching and its improvement at the University of Alberta.
Eligibility
Any Continuing Academic Staff from the following categories (as outlined in the UAPPOL Recruitment Policy [Appendix A]) within their first five years* (exclusive of any leaves) of university teaching regardless of institution, may apply (Normally applicants will be pre-tenure, or equivalent.)
- A1 (Schedule A - Academic Faculty Member, Scheduled F - Administrative and Professional Officers [APO] Member, Schedule B - Faculty Service Officers [FSO] Member, Schedule C - Librarian);
- A2.1 (Schedule D - Academic Teaching Staff [ATS] Members [Career, Term 12, Term Recurring])
If you have any questions about your eligibility or believe you should be eligible but do not appear to meet the listed criteria, please contact us at excellence.awards@ualberta.ca
Funds in the amount of $1500 will be awarded to recipients.
*Academic years (generally July 1 - June 30)
Application Process
Application deadline: Applications are due by 9:00 A.M. on January 15, 2027.
Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
The Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching recognizes publicly the achievement of teaching excellence, and is intended to publicize such excellence to the University and the wider community, to encourage the pursuit of achievement of such inclusive excellence among academic staff, and to promote informed discussion of teaching and its improvement at the University of Alberta. Normally, applicants will have been granted tenure (or equivalent).
Eligibility
Any Continuing Academic Staff at the University of Alberta from the following categories (as outlined in the UAPPOL Recruitment Policy [Appendix A]) may apply:
- A1 (Schedule A - Academic Faculty Member, Scheduled F - Administrative and Professional Officers [APO] Member, Schedule B - Faculty Service Officers [FSO] Member, Schedule C - Librarian);
- A2.1 (Schedule D - Academic Teaching Staff [ATS] Members [Career, Term 12, Term Recurring])
If you have any questions about your eligibility or believe you should be eligible but do not appear to meet the listed criteria, please contact us at excellence.awards@ualberta.ca
Funds in the amount of $1500 will be awarded to recipients.
Application Process
Application deadline: Applications are due by 9:00 A.M. on January 15, 2027.
Teaching Collaboration award
The Teaching Collaboration Award is intended to recognize publicly teaching excellence that occurs as a result of the collaboration of instructors, to publicize such excellence to the University and the wider community, to encourage the pursuit of such excellence, and to promote informed discussion of teaching and its improvement at the University of Alberta.
Eligibility
Collaboration may occur between or among members of different groups within the university and beyond and may include, but is not limited to: teaching assistants, technical staff, community partners, etc.. At least one member of the collaboration must be a Continuing Academic Staff from the following categories (as outlined in the UAPPOL Recruitment Policy [Appendix A]).
- A1 (Schedule A - Academic Faculty Member, Scheduled F - Administrative and Professional Officers [APO] Member, Schedule B - Faculty Service Officers [FSO] Member, Schedule C - Librarian);
- A2.1 (Schedule D - Academic Teaching Staff [ATS] Members [Career, Term 12, Term Recurring])
Collaboration may occur in a course team (e.g. a course comprised of several sections) or other teaching projects that involve instructors collaborating in the design and implementation of instruction at the undergraduate or graduate level and who are actively involved in the delivery of instruction.
If you have any questions about your eligibility or believe you should be eligible but do not appear to meet the listed criteria, please contact us at excellence.awards@ualberta.ca
Funds in the amount of $3,500 will be awarded to be used for the further development and innovation of teaching within the teaching collaboration.
Application Process
Application deadline: Applications are due by 9:00 A.M. on January 15, 2027.
William Hardy Alexander Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
The William Hardy Alexander Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching recognizes publicly the achievement of teaching excellence, and is intended to publicize such excellence to the University and the wider community, to encourage the pursuit of achievement of such inclusive excellence among academic staff, and to promote informed discussion of teaching and its improvement at the University of Alberta.
Eligibility
Any Academic Teaching Staff in temporary appointments from the following categories (as outlined in the UAPPOL Recruitment Policy [Appendix A]) may apply:
- A2.2 Term (Schedule D - Academic Teaching Staff [ATS] Member [Term]);
- A2.3 Full time (Schedule G - Temporary Librarian, Administrative and Professional Officer [TLAPS] Member);
- A2.4 Part time (Schedule G - Temporary Librarian, Administrative and Professional Officer [TLAPS] Member)
If you have any questions about your eligibility or believe you should be eligible but do not appear to meet the listed criteria, please contact us at excellence.awards@ualberta.ca
Funds in the amount of $1500 will be awarded to recipients.
Application Process
Application deadline: Applications are due by 9:00 A.M. on January 15, 2027.
Contact us
For more information regarding the Awards for Faculty Excellence please contact: excellence.awards@ualberta.ca
Recognition of Teaching Policy (UAPPOL)
Teaching Awards Procedure (UAPPOL)