Introduction | Application Process | Evaluation Criteria | Related Information

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This program is supported by the Charles Dunn Hardie Trust Fund.

Introduction

An appointment to the BER Faculty Fellows Program offers many advantages, including: (1) resources for programmatic research; (2) an opportunity to develop new research programs; and (3) capacity to leverage external funding.

The Fellows Program has been configured to offer faculty flexibility in how they use Fellows funding. Total support for each Fellow will be a maximum of $15,000. Each Fellow will have the option of using the money in the following ways:

1. Buy-out of up to two courses per year ($6,000/course) to be decided in consultation with Department Heads or Chairs.
2. Graduate research assistance (including appropriate fringe benefits, obtain exact dollar amounts from the Business Office).
3. Travel support: Maximum of $1000 for conference travel. Funds for research travel--amount to be justified.
4. Summer salary up to campus cap ($6,000), including the appropriate fringe benefits.
5. Equipment and supplies directly related to proposed research.

Fellows will maintain their department offices.

Fellows will be required to present a seminar on their research and to submit a brief report summarizing their experience as a Fellow in August, 2009. A regular series of Fellows meetings will be scheduled. Fellows will be encouraged to collaborate with one another to enhance research efforts.

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Application Process

Applications are invited for one year, renewable appointments to the Faculty Fellows Program beginning August 16, 2008 for three to four faculty members. Successful applicants may reapply for a maximum appointment of three years.

Deadline for applications: February 15, 2008 at 5:00pm. No late applications will be accepted. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

Tenure-track faculty of all ranks who are full-time in the University and budgeted at least part-time in the College of Education are eligible and encouraged to apply. Applicants wishing to receive feedback and advice prior to submitting a formal proposal are encouraged to submit a proposal draft to Lizanne DeStefano, who will pass it on to former Fellows for feedback with the goal of helping develop the proposal.

Research Proposal

Provide a clear and detailed statement of plans for research during the period for which you seek an appointment. Write the proposal as though it was going to a major external-funding agency, such as NSF or OERI. Include a clear statement of the problem, discussion of prior literature, presentation of methodology, etc. Write your proposal so that it is accessible to readers outside your field. The proposal should be limited to 10 double-spaced pages. It should include a budget statement, a timeline for carrying out activities, and an evaluation plan.

Joint applications from one or more faculty that represent inter-disciplinary collaboration will be considered.

Past Research:

•   Curriculum Vitae
•   Three representative publications.

Present Research:

Two-page (maximum) discussion of current research interests and work in progress. Up to two examples of papers or proposals in progress may be included.

Letters of Recommendation:

Application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from Department Head or Chair. Two other letters from colleagues who are competent to judge your work are requested. At least one of these should be from outside the university. These letters should address the quality of the proposal.

Fellowship Renewal Applications:

Candidates seeking renewal should include a review of past progress as a Fellow and a rationale for continuation.

Submit six copies of all materials to:

Faculty Fellows Program
c/o Bureau of Educational Research
38 Education Bldg.
MC-708

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Evaluation Criteria

The selection of Faculty Fellows is a competitive process, and is based on the evaluation criteria listed below. Faculty Fellows are chosen based on a consensus of the members of the College Research Committee.

• Overall quality of the proposal (e.g., statement of problem, review of research, methodology, timeline, budget, evaluation plan).
• Explicit linkage to previous research and theoretical and methodological soundness.
• Potential contribution to field of education.
• Potential impact on the applicant's career.
• Feasibility of the proposed project.
• Potential for obtaining later external funding.

NOTE: Research is interpreted broadly and not limited to any one type of scholarly activity.

Faculty who apply and are not offered an appointment will be given feedback and may choose to leave their application on file and apply next year. Faculty who do so are encouraged to update and revise their application, as necessary.

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Related Information

List of Faculty Fellows

For further information, contact Andrea Ellinger or any committee member. Copies of proposals from previous years are available in Room 38, Education Building.

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