Awards and Funding Opportunities

The Board of Regents Faculty Award was developed by the Council of University System Faculty (CUSF) in order to publicly recognize distinguished performance on the part of faculty members, and to place faculty achievements before the public on a regular basis. Eligible faculty includes all full-time faculty employed by the University of Maryland System, who have distinguished themselves in the areas of teaching, research and scholarship, and service.  One to three $2000 prizes in each of five areas are made to faculty members from research institutions in the areas of Teaching, Scholarship, Public Service (including K-12 programs and clinical practice), Mentoring, and Inter-institutional Collaboration. For additional information, contact the Faculty Affairs Office at (301) 405-6803.

This professorship is awarded for varying terms of up to three years. Candidates must have a superior record of achievement in an academic or professional discipline; must demonstrate the desire and ability to lead and inspire undergraduate and graduate students in the full range of learning situations; and must demonstrate evidence of significant enterprise at the University System of Maryland.

The Kirwan Center will award up to 10 Elkins SoTL Fellowships of $1,000 each for 2025-2026 (May 1, 2025-June 30, 2026) to support faculty-led research on teaching and learning. These fellowships support the systematic investigation of student learning, instruction, and teaching innovations, with the goal of contributing to our broader understanding of effective educational practices.

Key Details:

• Open to USM faculty of any rank or appointment
• Faculty must serve as principal investigator (PI); staff may serve as co-PI
• Projects should focus on improving student success through evidence-based course design and instructional decisions
• Fellowship period: May 1, 2025-June 30, 2026
• Application deadline: Friday, March 28, 2025

Former University of Maryland President William E. Kirwan and Patricia Kirwan have established a fund to support two annual Prizes. The Kirwan Faculty Research and Scholarship Prize recognizes a faculty member for a highly significant work of research, scholarship, or artistic creativity completed in the recent past. The prize can be awarded for a publication, an invention, a performance, or any other activity within the faculty member's academic discipline. All current full-time tenure-track or tenured faculty are eligible. The prize carries an honorarium of $5000 and is awarded at the Fall Convocation. Apply here. Please direct questions about the award to Hana Kabashi at 301-405-4178 in the Division of Research. 

Former University of Maryland President William E. Kirwan and Patricia H. Kirwan have established a fund to support two annual prizes. The Kirwan Undergraduate Award recognizes faculty or staff who have made exceptional contributions to the quality of undergraduate education at the university. The prize carries an honorarium of $5000 and is awarded at the Campus Convocation each fall. Please direct questions about the award to Jackie Kautzer at 301-405-9354 in the Office of Undergraduate Studies. 

The Regents Professorship was established by the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland in order to recognize one or more faculty members whose record of scholarly achievement and potential for truly exceptional service to the System and its institutions warrants appointment to this most prestigious rank in the University System. Appointment to a Regents Professorship is made by the Chancellor upon recommendation by one or more of the Presidents of University System of Maryland institutions. A modest monetary award, to be used for travel, research or publication costs, or personnel and equipment costs, accompanies the appointment. Criteria for appointment include national or international recognition for achievements in the arts, the sciences or the professions, and eligibility for appointment to the rank of professor at one or more institutions of the University System. Regents Professors may participate in the advisement and/or instruction of undergraduate students; present an annual public lecture or performance at one of the institutions of the University System of Maryland; or participate in other scholarly activities that will enhance some aspects of the University System of Maryland and some of its components. This may include such activities as curriculum development (formal or informal courses), faculty development, citizen outreach, or organizational enhancement. For additional information, contact the Faculty Affairs Office at (301) 405-6803.