Members of the University of Michigan community have until Jan. 30 to nominate faculty who have developed outstanding teaching innovations.

Unlike other opportunities to honor overall teaching excellence, this prize draws attention to specific innovations that improve student learning. Now in its 18th year, the Teaching Innovation Prize competition will award $5,000 each to up to five faculty projects.

Students, faculty members, graduate student instructors, department chairs, directors, deans and staff members may submit nominations using a brief online form. Faculty self-nominations are welcome, as are re-submitted nominations.

“It is always inspiring to see the creativity that faculty bring to promoting student learning,” said Angela Dillard, vice provost for undergraduate education. “This competition draws attention every year to ideas and strategies worth emulating. I encourage our students, staff and faculty to submit nominations and bring to the surface the excellent work that they’ve discovered in their units.”

Nominations are welcome for any new approaches to creating inclusive classrooms, new uses of instructional technology, new ways to engage students in the learning process, new approaches to student collaboration, or new methods for replicating the advantages of a small course in a large lecture.

This year’s guidelines particularly encourage nomination of innovations that enhance student success through the use of alternative forms of assessment, create student-centered learning environments that empower students to succeed by narrowing gaps in outcomes, help students develop skills for a future that includes generative artificial intelligence, explore tech-free learning environments that promote deep thought and focus, or make creative and meaningful linkages among coursework, curriculum, and career preparation, with an emphasis on transferable skills.