What is the Excellence in Teaching Award?

The Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) is soliciting nominations for the Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of graduate students who exemplify excellence in the teaching/learning mission of their university.

Two awards have been created to recognize the importance of excellence in teaching and mentoring as a component of graduate education and the preparation of graduate students for future service as college and university faculty. One award will be given to a doctoral student and one to a master’s student.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION WINDOW?

The 2026 nomination window is now open. The submission deadline is December 5, 2025 by 5:00pm. Deadline extensions will not be granted; late submissions will not be accepted.

What IS THE AWARD?

$500 honorarium and nomination to the MAGS’ annual Excellence in Teaching Award competition.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Program Nomination required. Please reach out to your Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Program Coordinator.

A Graduate Program may submit one nomination for a master’s student and one nomination for a doctoral student. Programs submit a single PDF for each nominee of all application materials to [email protected] by the deadline.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

  • Letter of Support from the Department Chair or Head
  • Nominee’s Teaching Portfolio, maximum of six (6) pages

For details on application materials, review the 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award Evaluation Criteria and YouTube Instructions for Teaching Video.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

  • Master’s or doctoral students registered in the University of Minnesota Graduate School during the 2025-26 academic year
  • Hold a graduate student teaching appointment during the 2025 calendar year (e.g. Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and/or Fall 2025)

Further Information

For more information about internal review and nomination procedures, please contact your Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or designated program support staff. If you have additional questions, contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards.