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ACIFA Awards​

Each year at the ACIFA annual conference, exceptional educators are honored for their contributions to teaching, innovation, and research in post-secondary education. Sponsored by Belair Direct, these three awards celebrate excellence in scholarly teaching, creative instructional design, and distinguished commitment to learners. Do you have colleagues who are innovative, research-driven, and dedicated to teaching and learning? Recognize their impact by nominating them for an ACIFA award!

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In addition to individual recognition, each award includes a $1,500 prize for the recipient and a $500 contribution to their faculty association.

 

Full details about award eligibility and nominations can be found below.

Award Nominations and SoTL Application: Deadline: January 2, 2026

Winners Announced: February 9, 2026

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Awards sponsored by

DISTINGUISHED INSTRUCTOR AWARD

Established in 2016, this award aims to recognize teachers who exhibit commitment to teaching, learners, and learning through a variety of measures. 

ELIGIBILITY

The award is open to all ACIFA members who instruct at least one course.  The instructor may be someone who instructs learners in any learning platform and/or in any modality. A learner is considered any individual who is enrolled in a credit or non-credit course at an ACIFA institution.  With the consent of the nominee(s) an application may be for an individuals or a group/team.

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Award recipients are not eligible for nomination again until five years have passed since their previous win.

SELECTION CRITERIA

An instructor may qualify for the Distinguished Instructor Award if he or she demonstrates commitment to learners and learning through a variety of measures including:

  • Responds to the individual needs of learners in and out of the classroom by addressing questions in a respectful and timely manner and by respecting the diverse talents and ways of learning.

  • Promotes a quality, respectful and positive learning environment by encouraging cooperation among students, and by giving prompt feedback

  • Demonstrates innovative teaching and learning strategies, including communicating high expectations and       

       encouraging active learning.

  • Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of subject matter and strives to keep current in his or her field of expertise.

  • Explores professional development opportunities with interest and enthusiasm.

  • Models professional attitudes and values.

Award Winner Obiligations

  • Attend the ACIFA Conference to accept the award

  • Present their winning submission in a session at the ACIFA Conference.

  • Submit for publication in the ACIFA newsletter a description of the commitment they have made to learners and learning 

Winner Awarded:

  • an announcement published in the ACIFA Newsletter and on ACIFA Website

  • $1,500 reward for the winner and the faculty association for which they are a member will receive $500

  • Recognition at the ACIFA Conference

  • Conference registration, accommodations and travel expense provided ACIFA.

INNOVATION IN TEACHING AWARD

This award recognizes and encourages the use of innovative and creative teaching methods and designs.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection of the Innovation in Teaching Award will include consideration of the following criteria:

  • Evidence of student satisfaction and learning outcomes.

  • Evidence that the innovation was successfully integrated into the total learning process for the relevant course of

       study

  • The potential for the innovation to be applied to different fields of study

  • The extent to which the innovation made effective and efficient use of resources

Award Winner Obiligations

  • Attend the ACIFA Conference to accept the award

  • Present their winning submission in a session at the ACIFA Conference.

  • Submit for publication in the ACIFA newsletter a description of the commitment they have made to learners and learning 

Winner Awarded:

  • an announcement published in the ACIFA Newsletter and on ACIFA Website

  • $1,500 reward for the winner and the faculty association for which they are a member will receive $500

  • Recognition at the ACIFA Conference

  • Conference registration, accommodations and travel expense provided ACIFA.

Award Criteria

SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING AND LEARNING AWARD

Submissions are made by individual members.

A Scholarship of Teaching and Learning research project involves taking a systematic look at some educational practice and recording what was done and why, collecting and analyzing data, and reflecting on how the results might influence teaching endeavors.

 
Research has the potential to generate genuine and sustained improvements in our college and institutes. It gives educators new opportunities to reflect on their teaching, to explore and test new approaches, and to share feedback with colleagues.
 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award will be based on assessment of the project application as it relates to a teaching and learning practice, recording what was done and why it was done, data collection and analysis, and reflection on how the results might influence future teaching endeavors.

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The research project may span part or all of the current academic year but must not exceed that time limit.

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