Recognizing and honoring excellence: Spring 2026 nomination deadlines for administrative, faculty and teaching awards
The Next-Gen K-State vision unites Kansas State University under a set of shared goals and aspirations — but it is the people who drive the work forward every day from every corner of the university.
At K-State, we strive to recognize our people in numerous ways — by praising achievements, sharing individual stories of purpose-driven work and funding innovative ideas. Additionally, the university offers a multitude of awards and distinctions that honor faculty excellence.
To that end, we are pleased to announce a number of university awards now accepting nominations, organized below by two spring 2026 deadlines.
Additional information about each award, including individual nomination forms, can be accessed on each award web page linked below.
Feb. 15, 2026 nomination deadline
- University Distinguished Faculty Award for Mentoring of Undergraduate Students in Research
- University Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Student in Research
- Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Undergraduate Outstanding Teaching Awards
- Big 12 Faculty Fellowship Award
March 1, 2026 nomination deadline
- Presidential Award for Outstanding Department Head
- Presidential Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Includes two separate awards, one for faculty and one for graduate teaching assistants.
- University Outstanding Scholars Award. This program was created in 2024 under the auspices of the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan, Theme 2: Build and sustain the next-generation land-grant workforce at K-State. The awards aim to recognize outstanding faculty members who are on an accelerated path for academic distinction.
To view all award opportunities aggregated by the Office of the Provost, as well as past awardees, visit the academic excellence and advancement web page on the provost’s website. Additionally, watch for an announcement from Human Resources next spring as they open nominations for unclassified professional staff and university support staff awards.
—Submitted by Office of the Provost