Regents’ Innovator Leave of Absence and Entrepreneur Designation nominations due Nov. 15

• First-round nominations deadline: Tuesday, Nov. 15

There are two new opportunities from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to support and recognize faculty efforts in innovation and research commercialization. The Regents’ Innovator Leave of Absence and Regents’ Entrepreneur Designation are outlined in the Board of Regents Policy.

The first opportunity, the Regents’ Innovator Leave of Absence, allows faculty to request leave from their full-time faculty duties to focus on beginning or growing companies that commercialize the faculty member’s research. The leave is unpaid, may be for an initial period up to three years, and may be full or partial leave. The details, criteria, and application process for the Regents’ Innovator are described in the academic affairs policy manual and will be added to the Provost Office’s website. Please direct any questions regarding the Regents’ Innovator Leave of Absence to Elizabeth Weeks, associate provost for faculty affairs.

The second opportunity, the Regents’ Entrepreneur Designation, recognizes faculty who have established their reputation as successful innovators who have taken their research into commercial settings. The designation includes an honorific title and one-time cash award. The first round of nominations for the Regents’ Entrepreneur Designation should be sent directly to the UGA InfoReady portal. Details, criteria, and nomination process are described in the award description. Please direct any questions regarding Regents’ Entrepreneur nominations to Derek Eberhart, associate vice president for research and executive director of Innovation Gateway.