Initiative for the Future: A New Junior Faculty Development Program

The Office of Research & Engagement, in cooperation with the Office of the Provost, announces a distinctive new program to support the accomplishments of junior faculty in all fields. The program will focus on prestigious national faculty awards and on interdisciplinary collaborations in fields of emerging significance.

The program has two primary aims:

1. To support applications for prestigious national faculty awards, especially those listed by the Center for Measuring University Performance (CMUP) as one of nine measures of research universities. Because these awards are so highly competitive, participants in this program will receive specific instruction and intensive coaching at multiple levels and will construct a pre-tenure calendar of award applications.
2. To develop interdisciplinary collaborations outside departmental boundaries,especially in fields of emerging significance. In response to the difficulty noted by junior faculty in meeting potential colleagues outside their own department, this program will help to identify collaborators and to facilitate meetings.

Eligibility:

You must be a University of Tennessee, Knoxville tenure-track faculty member. At the time of application to this program, you must have completed at least one academic year of tenure-track service at an institution of higher education.

Program Components

Monthly dialogue: During monthly meetings, UT staff and faculty and distinguished visiting scholars will present information and facilitate discussions on a range of topics.

Individualized coaching: Participants will receive individualized coaching from ORE staff with relevant expertise, including the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research

Funder meeting preparation and travel support: Participants will receive tailored support to identify potential funders and program officers. ORE will provide financial support for travel to the in-person meeting with a potential funder.

Application

Applications will be routed through InfoReady. Submit an application. Selection and notification of acceptance will occur in August 2019. Programming begins in September 2019. Please contact Alan Rutenberg at arutenberg@utk.edu with questions.