The Instructure Learning Strategy Team is excited to announce that nominations are now open for the Academic Excellence Awards, recognizing those in education who have made significant contributions to the learning community. This is a wonderful opportunity to honor those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in education.
About the Academic Excellence AwardsThe Academic Excellence Awards aim to celebrate educators who have gone above and beyond in fostering student success and advancing educational practices. Winners will receive a prestigious panda trophy, exclusive Instructure swag, and will be recognized through a press release, social media posts, and honored at their regional conference—either InstructureCon or CanvasCon—our annual conferences dedicated to educational excellence.
Nomination Criteria
Winners will be selected across three categories using the criteria included in the rubrics provided for each category, which can be reviewed on the Academic Excellence Awards page.
- Outstanding Course: A course that stands out due to its innovative approach, comprehensive content, exceptional delivery, and positive outcomes for students.
- Innovative Technology: A technology developed to enhance teaching and learning, characterized by its usability, effectiveness, innovation, accessibility, and impact.
- Transformative Program: A program designed to support and improve teaching and learning, notable for its comprehensive design, effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability.
When considering nominees, think about educators and innovators who:
- Innovate in Teaching and Learning: Redefine traditional classroom activities to help students meet their academic goals and prepare for future challenges.
- Promote Inclusivity: Support inclusion and improve achievement for at-risk populations, ensuring all students have the opportunity to succeed.
- Inspire Students: Spark curiosity and support student growth and achievement, leading to measurable results.
How to Nominate
To nominate an outstanding educator or innovator, visit the Academic Excellence Awards nomination page for your region and complete the nomination form. Provide specific examples of the nominee's contributions and impact on the educational community. The deadline for submissions is May 15, 2026 for the Americas and APAC and August 15, 2026 for EMEA.
Nominations for your region can be submitted, using the links below.
To help you as you plan your nominations, you can also review a PDF version of the full entry form.
Join Us at InstructureCon or Your Regional CanvasCon 2026
Award winners will be recognized at either the CanvasCon in their respective region or InstructureCon 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky; where educators from around the world come together to share insights, learn from each other, and celebrate achievements in education. This year's conference promises to be an inspiring event, and we look forward to honoring those who have made a difference in the lives of students and colleagues.
Let's come together to acknowledge and celebrate the educators and innovators who inspire us all. Nominate someone today and be part of recognizing excellence in our educational community.
