The College of Sciences (COS) accepts nominations for several college and university level Graduate Student Excellence Awards. These awards recognize outstanding research, creativity, and service by graduate students.
We are now accepting nominations for the College of Sciences Excellence Awards.
All COS submissions must be completed and received by COS Graduate Services by December 4, 2026 to be included in the pool of applicants.
Selections will be made in January 2027, and recipients of the College of Sciences award will be notified via email. Award recipients will also be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies for consideration for the university-level award.
Award requirements vary, so please carefully review the eligibility criteria for each award before submitting a nomination. Nominations should be submitted by faculty members who supervise the student for GTA awards, or thesis/dissertation/project advisors for the thesis, dissertation, and creative work awards.
Each award requires submission through DocuSign – links to the submission form are included below.
Outstanding Dissertation Award
This award recognizes exceptional scholarly achievement demonstrated through a doctoral dissertation, including originality, significance, and overall quality of research.
Eligibility & Requirements:
View Outstanding Dissertation eligibility page
COS Submission Deadline: December 4, 2026
Nomination Submission:
Nominations should be initiated by the student’s Dissertation Advisor/Chair, or member of the student’s dissertation advisory committee. The faculty nominator initiates the form and uploads a letter of support (one page). The form will then route to the student to upload the remaining required documentation. See the above eligibility link for a list of required documents. Once the student completes their portion, the form will automatically route to COS Graduate Services for inclusion in the pool of applicants. Please note that forms received after the deadline will not be considered.
Complete the nomination form here: COS Outstanding Dissertation Award Nomination (DocuSign)
Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award
This award honors a student’s master’s thesis that demonstrates outstanding research ability, originality, and scholarly contribution within the discipline.
Eligibility & Requirements:
View Outstanding Master’s Thesis eligibility page
COS Submission Deadline: December 4, 2026
Nomination Submission:
Nominations should be initiated by the student’s Thesis Advisor/Chair, or member of the student’s thesis committee. The faculty nominator initiates the form and uploads a letter of support (one page). The form will then route to the student to upload the remaining required documentation. See the above eligibility link for a list of required documents. Once the student completes their portion, the form will automatically route to COS Graduate Services for inclusion in the pool of applicants. Please note that forms received after the deadline will not be considered.
Complete the nomination form here: COS Outstanding Dissertation Award Nomination (DocuSign)
Outstanding Graduate Creative Work Award
This award recognizes exemplary creative accomplishments by graduate students in disciplines where creative work is a primary scholarly output.
Eligibility & Requirements:
View Outstanding Graduate Creative Work eligibility page
COS Submission Deadline: December 4, 2026
Nomination Submission:
Nominations should be initiated by the student’s Advisor, Department Chair, or Faculty Member who has worked closely with the student on the creative work project. The nominator initiates the form and uploads a letter of support (one page). The form will then route to the student to upload the remaining required documentation. See the above eligibility link for a list of required documents. Once the student completes their portion, the form will automatically route to COS Graduate Services for inclusion in the pool of applicants. Please note that forms received after the deadline will not be considered.
Complete the nomination form here: COS Outstanding Creative Work Award Nomination (DocuSign)
Excellence by a Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
This award acknowledges graduate teaching assistants who demonstrate excellence in instructional support, effective collaboration with faculty, and a strong commitment to enhancing the undergraduate learning experience.
Eligibility & Requirements:
View Excellence by a Graduate Teaching Assistant eligibility page
COS Submission Deadline: December 4, 2026
Nomination Submission:
Nominations should be initiated by program leadership (Graduate Coordinator/Director or Department Chair), or a Faculty Member who has supervised the student as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. The nominator initiates the form and uploads a letter of support (one page). The form will then route to the student to upload the remaining required documentation. See the above eligibility link for a list of required documents. Once the student completes their portion, the form will automatically route to COS Graduate Services for inclusion in the pool of applicants. Please note that forms received after the deadline will not be considered.
Complete the nomination form here: Excellence by a Graduate Teaching Assistant Award Nomination (DocuSign)
Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching Award
This award recognizes Graduate Teaching Associates with primary instructional responsibilities (instructor of record for undergraduate courses) who demonstrate excellence in teaching effectiveness, innovation, and student engagement.
Eligibility & Requirements:
View Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching eligibility page
COS Submission Deadline: December 4, 2026
Nomination Submission:
Nominations should be initiated by program leadership (Graduate Coordinator/Director or Department Chair), or a Faculty Member who has supervised the student as a Graduate Teaching Associate. The nominator initiates the form and uploads a letter of support (one page). The form will then route to the student to upload the remaining required documentation. See the above eligibility link for a list of required documents. Once the student completes their portion, the form will automatically route to COS Graduate Services for inclusion in the pool of applicants. Please note that forms received after the deadline will not be considered.
Complete the nomination form here: Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching Award Nomination (DocuSign)
Important Notes
- Students and nominators should review eligibility criteria carefully, as requirements differ by award.
- Completed application packets must be recieved by the College of Sciences Graduate Services office by the posted due date above. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
- You can view prior recipients of the College of Sciences and College of Graduate Studies awards here.
- Questions regarding COS submission procedures should be directed to the College of Sciences Graduate Services office at cosgrad@ucf.edu.