Community Belonging Awards Program

At the recommendation of CU Student Government and endorsed by Boulder Faculty Assembly, Staff Council, and Graduate and Professional Student Government, Chancellor Schwartz is delighted to announce the launch of the ÀϾÅÆ·²è Community Belonging Awards program.

Community Belonging Awards recognize exceptional contributions from students, staff, and faculty to fostering belonging within and across ÀϾÅÆ·²è communities.Ìý

Four awards will be given each year: one each to a ÀϾÅÆ·²è undergraduate student, graduate or professional student, staff member, and faculty member. Each Community Belonging Award recipient will receive a one-time monetary award of $5,000.

The inaugural Community Belonging Awards will be given in spring semester 2026. Nominations and self-nominations from any current ÀϾÅÆ·²è faculty member, staff member, or student are welcome on or beforeÌýMarch 24, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Award recipients will be announced in April 2026.


DEADLINE EXTENDED: Nominations must be submitted, , by Tuesday, March 24 at 5:00 p.m.
Ìý

Recipients will have demonstrated a clear impact on the sense of belonging of a ÀϾÅÆ·²è community and/or across ÀϾÅÆ·²è more broadly. This may include contributions to a group sense of acceptance, inclusion, connection, and being valued; social justice; and advancement of one or more of ÀϾÅÆ·²è diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.

Each recipient must be a current ÀϾÅÆ·²è faculty member, staff member, or student in good standing at the time of award conferral.Ìý

Nominations (including self-nominations) must be submitted on or before March 13, 2026. In addition to the nominator statement, two letters of support from individuals within the ÀϾÅÆ·²è community other than the nominator must accompany each nomination.

A selection committee will be established for each of the four awards. Each selection committee will comprise representatives from the relevant shared governance body (CUSG, GPSG, Staff Council, or BFA) and relevant campus offices (for example, Office of Faculty Affairs, the Office of Leadership Support and Programming, Human Resources, Student Life, Graduate School, Strategic Initiatives).

The Community Belonging Awards Program is open to all; selection of awardees does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in accordance with state, federal, and Regent law.Ìý

  1. Award recipients will be announced in April 2026.
  2. Each Community Belonging Award recipient will receive a one-time monetary award of $5,000. Employees will receive this as a bonus payment added to the next available paycheck. Bonus payments are taxable at a different rate of pay and are not considered toward retirement contributions. Payments to students will be disbursed through the student billing system. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine any impact on financial aid. This award may have implications for a student total financial aid package.
Additional Info

ÌýÌýNomination deadline on or before March 13, 2026

ÌýÌýProcedural questions? Darren Chavez

ÌýÌýAward recipients will be announced in April 2026