The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity for instructional-track faculty: the CLAS Instructional Excellence and Professional Growth Award. This award supports professional development activities that enhance teaching effectiveness, advance instructional innovation, strengthen student learning outcomes, and contribute to the educational mission of the college. Awards of up to $1,500 are available to support participation in conferences, workshops, pedagogical institutes, certification programs, instructional leadership development opportunities, and other activities that foster excellence in teaching and learning.

Eligible applicants include CLAS instructional-track (including practice-track) faculty who are actively engaged in undergraduate and/or graduate instruction. Preference may be given to proposals demonstrating a clear impact on student learning, instructional innovation, curricular improvement, or broader dissemination of knowledge within CLAS, as well as to applicants who have not received this award within the previous two academic years.

The first application cycle, supporting professional development activities taking place between January and June 2027, will open November 2, 2026, and close December 4, 2026. Awards will be announced the week of December 14, 2026. A second application cycle for activities occurring between June and December 2027 will be offered in spring 2027.

Additional information, eligibility requirements, and application materials are available on the CLAS Instructional Excellence and Professional Growth Award policy page. 

Questions may be directed to the Dean’s Office.