McKnight Awards
Distinguished McKnight University Professorship 
The Distinguished McKnight Professorship program recognizes outstanding faculty members who have recently achieved full professor status. Recipients hold the title “Distinguished McKnight Professor” for as long as they remain at the University of Minnesota. This program is administered by the Graduate School.
McKnight Arts and Humanities Endowment
The McKnight Arts and Humanities Endowment was established in 1991 with a generous grant from the McKnight Foundation, a non-profit organization in Minnesota. From the beginning, the Endowment’s mission has been to support, sustain, and enliven arts and humanities research and activities on the four University campuses. Each year it fulfills that mission by supporting scholarly and creative projects and initiates that benefit the University community and communities beyond.
McKnight Land-Grant Professorship
The goal of the McKnight Land-Grant Professorship Program is to advance the careers of new assistant professors at a crucial point in their professional lives. The designation of “McKnight Land-Grant Professor” is held by recipients for a two-year period. This program is administered by the Graduate School.
McKnight Presidential Endowed Chairs and Professorships
The McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair and the McKnight Presidential Endowed Professorship are among the highest honors for faculty at the University. Recipients are recommended by their college dean and chosen at the discretion of the president based, in part, on their academic and research accomplishments and their contributions to advancing the University among its peers.
McKnight Presidential Fellows
The McKnight Presidential Fellows Program is targeted at the most promising faculty who have been newly granted tenure and promotion to associate professor, to recognize their accomplishments and support their ongoing research and scholarship. Candidates are considered for these awards at the conclusion of the regular promotion and tenure review process each year.
McKnight Presidential Leadership Chair
The McKnight Presidential Leadership Chair is for individuals who exemplify the leadership qualities that inspire the rest of the University. Recipients of the award are deans and other leaders who are recognized both for extraordinary scholarly achievements and prominence in an academic field, as well as for their role as a respected leader and mentor.