The Dean's Professional Development Research Award Information

Purpose

The purpose of the Dean's Professional Development Research Award is to enable full-time tenured and advanced probationary faculty members to engage in significant research and professional development that cannot be undertaken in the course of the person's full-time university responsibilities. The award provides 4 WTUs of reassigned time for either the Fall or Spring semester (applicant's choice). 

Criteria

The impactful significance of the proposed endeavor is at the center of this award. Proposals are evaluated using the following criteria:

  1. The likelihood that the proposed endeavor will elevate the stature of the applicant's professional development and/or create greater visibility for the department, school, or university. This criterion can be satisfied by improving the intellectual reputation of the department, school, or university, and/or expanding the university's ability to serve the community.
  2. The extent to which the applicant's academic and research/scholarship background will support their ability to carry out the proposed project. This may include the applicant's prior interest and experience in the subject to which the project is devoted and the applicant's overall ability and reliability in planning and carrying out projects.

Eligibility

Full-time tenured faculty who are not taking a sabbatical during the academic year in which the award is given, and probationary faculty who will begin their 4th probationary year in Fall semester of the award year are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to applicants who have not received any reassigned time or leave for research in the previous academic year. 

Deliverables

The awardee will submit a report (approximately 3 single-spaced pages) of the professional development activity/activities undertaken by the end of the award period that includes:

  1. a detailed discussion of the nature and significance of the project(s),
  2. the status of your dissemination plan (i.e., public talks/professional presentations scheduled or given, publications submitted, etc.), and
  3. a reflection of how the activity/activities impacted your professional development.

Deadline

TBA. Early in the Spring semester.

What You Will Need to Complete the Application

  1. A completed copy of the Dean's Professional Development Research Award Narrative, in which you must address:
    • The title of your proposed project
    • Project Narrative: The narrative should include a full description of the proposed project including methodology, specific deliverables, and probability of its completion by the end of the leave period. You should also include your specific qualifications for engaging in this project and your need for the award to complete the project. [750 words, max.] 
    • Significance of Proposed Project: How is the proposed research or scholarship activity will impact your designated field of expertise? [175 words, max.] 
    • Potential for Increased Stature and Visibility: How is this project going to elevate your stature professionally or the stature and visibility of the Department, School, and/or University? [175 words, max.] 
    • Implications: Does your project have any implications that could be of interest to the general public? Explain why or why not.  If yes, explain how the public will have access to your work. [200 words, max.] 
  2. A Word Doc or PDF of your CV
  3. Approval from your chair (self-reported)