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 2027 nomination window will open September 15, 2026. The submission deadline is December 2, 2026 by 5:00pm central time. 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.

What are the eligibility requirements? 

To be considered, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Department Nomination: Applicants must be formally nominated by their graduate program. Internal nomination processes vary by graduate program, so applicants should contact their Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) to inquire about their department's specific nomination procedures and internal deadlines. To locate your DGS or GPC, please refer to this list.
  • Academic Status: Applicants must be a current student in a University of Minnesota research-based graduate degree program in the 2026-27 academic year.
  • Employment Restriction: Applicants must have held a graduate student teaching appointment during the 2026 calendar year (e.g. Spring 2026, Summer 2026, or Fall 2026).

Note: Applicants meeting all of the above eligibility requirements can apply regardless of citizenship status.

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.