University Faculty Awards
Recognizing Our Outstanding Faculty
The University of Utah recognizes the outstanding achievements, contributions, and commitment to education, research, innovation, and community engagement of its faculty. These accolades honor excellence, dedication, and impact throughout the academic community. Click here to see our award winners.
Annual Calendar for University Faculty Awards
This information is for general reference only. Refer to each award’s official announcement for complete details, including application instructions, eligibility criteria, and confirmed deadlines. Most applications open 1-2 months before their deadline. Summaries are provided lower on this page.
Please inform the COH Associate Dean of Research if you plan to nominate a colleague for any university-level faculty awards. It is important to coordinate applications to optimize success.
Award |
Approx. Deadline |
Entity |
Distinguished Teaching Award | Mid September | Academic Affairs |
Presidential Societal Impact Scholars Award | Late September | University President |
Calvin S. & JeNeal N. Hatch Prize in Teaching | Mid October | Academic Affairs |
Distinguished Professor | Late October | Academic Affairs |
Community Engaged Teaching and Scholarship Award | Early November | Academic Affairs |
Distinguished Research Award | Early December | VP of Research |
Early Career Teaching Award | Early December | Academic Affairs |
Distinguished Faculty Service Award | Late January | Bennion Center |
Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence | Early February | University President |
Distinguished Mentor Award | Mid February | Graduate School |
Presidential Scholar Award | Early July | Academic Affairs |
Innovation Awards | Early August | Technology Licensing |
University Faculty Award Summaries
Calvin S. & JeNeal N. Hatch Prize in Teaching recognizes an outstanding tenure-line teacher – who has been teaching at the U for at least 20 years – for excellence in teaching over an extended period of time. Nominations are due in mid October. Awarded by the University Teaching Committee, Academic Affairs.
Community Engaged Teaching and Scholarship Award recognizes faculty who have a record of successful teaching and research that is carried out through long-term, collaborative community-engaged partnerships that address a community-identified need or priority. Nominations are due in early November. Awarded by the University Teaching Committee, Academic Affairs.
Distinguished Faculty Service Award honors faculty who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the campus-community connection through a life of active, unpaid community service and the integration of service with research and teaching, beyond the traditional roles of faculty. Nominations are due January 31st, annually. Awarded by the Bennion Center.
Distinguished Mentor Award honors and encourages the considerable efforts and accomplishments of faculty who consistently serve as effective mentors of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Nominations are due in mid February. Awarded by the Graduate School.
Distinguished Professor recognizes select individuals whose achievements exemplify the highest goals of scholarship as demonstrated by recognition accorded to them from peers with national and international stature, and whose record includes evidence of a high dedication to teaching as demonstrated by recognition accorded to them by students and/or colleagues. Nominations are due in late October. Awarded by Academic Affairs.
Distinguished Research Award recognizes faculty outstanding achievements in research. Provides $10,000 grant to pursue research and/or creative pursuits. Nominees are evaluated on the impact and significance of their career research or scholarly work to their field, as well as to the improvement and enrichment of the human condition. Nominations are due the second Thursday of December, annually. Awarded by Office of the Vice President of Research.
Distinguished Teaching Award honors faculty for significant contributions to the University’s teaching mission. Nominees must have a consistent record of outstanding teaching performance and implementing effective and innovative teaching methods that demonstrate exceptional abilities to motivate student learning. Nominations are due in mid September. Awarded by the University Teaching Committee, Academic Affairs.
Early Career Teaching Award recognizes distinction in teaching, demonstrated by activities that result in increased learning by students, such as the development of new methods or other curricular innovation. Nominees must have 3-8 years of service at the University of Utah. Nominations are due in early December. Awarded by the University Teaching Committee, Academic Affairs.
Innovation Awards recognize researchers at the University who are working to translate their research into technologies that benefit the public. There are several award categories tied to innovation and entrepreneurship, including invention development, technology transfer, and commercialization. Nominations are due in early August. Awarded by the University’s Technology Licensing Office.
Presidential Scholar Award supports the work of exceptionally promising mid-career faculty with the aim of enhancing retention, supporting creative efforts, and ensuring that scholars remain at our university through the most productive time of their careers. Requires nomination by the college dean. Nominations are due in early July. Awarded by Academic Affairs.
Presidential Societal Impact Scholars Award recognizes faculty who engage in work with high potential to benefit the public. Ideal nominees translate their ideas, scholarship, research and creative activities to non-academic audiences outside the university in ways that transform society. Self-nominations are welcome. Nominations are due in late September. Awarded by the President of the University of Utah.
Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence is an endowed award given annually “to honor excellence in teaching, research and administrative efforts, collectively or individually, on behalf of the University.” It is suited for faculty who are nationally recognized scholars with demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, service, and/or administration. Nominations are due in early February. Awarded by the President of the University of Utah.
This list is not exhaustive and may contain errors. Please let the COH Office of Research know of any needed corrections or useful updates. Thanks!