President's Excellence Awards
The university’s most prestigious awards for teaching, research and engagement recognize individual faculty members and academic/administrative units whose work has had a significant impact on students, the university and the state. Winners are selected by a committee of faculty members—and in the case of the engagement award, community members—and receive a monetary prize, a presidential medallion and an engraved plaque.
The application and nomination period for the 2026 President's Excellence Awards will begin October 15, 2025. All applications are due by January 9, 2026. Please review the Apply for Awards section below.
About the Awards
Faculty IP Innovation and Commercialization Award (FIPICA)
Honors members of the University of Nebraska faculty who have developed and nurtured new intellectual property from concept to licensing / startup business.
Outstanding Research and Creative Activity Award (ORCA)
The Outstanding Research and Creative Activity Award (ORCA) honors members of the University of Nebraska faculty who have conducted outstanding research or creative activity of national/international significance. The winner is awarded $10,000.
Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award (OTICA)
The Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award (OTICA) honors members of the University of Nebraska faculty who have developed meritorious and sustained records of excellence in teaching and creativity related to teaching. The winner is awarded $10,000.
Innovation, Development, and Engagement Award (IDEA)
The Innovation, Development, and Engagement Award (IDEA) honors members of the University of Nebraska faculty who have extended their academic expertise beyond the boundaries of the University in ways that have enriched the broader community. The winner is awarded $10,000.
Innovations in Student Success Award (ISSA)
Honors a faculty led or faculty-involved team effort that has made a unique and significant contribution to improving undergraduate six-year graduation rates. This award honors specific and successful innovations designed to improve retention and graduation rates among students the unit serves in a major, within a school, within a college, or throughout a campus.
University-wide Departmental Teaching Award (UDTA)
The University-wide Departmental Teaching Award (UDTA) honors a department/unit at the University of Nebraska which has outstanding esprit de corps in its dedication to the education of students at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional levels. The honored department is awarded $25,000.
Apply for the Awards
The application and nomination period for the 2025 President's Excellence Awards will begin on October 15, 2025. All applications are due by January 9, 2026. Award recipients will be selected late Spring 2026.
Step 1: Review the 2026 President's Excellence Awards brochure
Step 2: Access the award competitions via NuRamp and submit your application
- Log in to NuRamp and start an application.
- Select a President's Excellence Award competition from the drop-down list.
- Verify you have selected the correct competition.
- Scroll down to "Start Application."