Faculty Development Programs
Several sources of internal funds are available within the University to support professional development and special projects. Calls for Proposals are sent out via Campus Notices. If you receive funds from an award, the menu on the right can answer many questions you may have regarding your new budget.
Competitive Professional Development Funds
Tenured and tenure-track faculty members, full-time coaches, librarians and academic affairs staff with faulty rank may apply for competitive professional development funds to reimburse professional development expenses. These funds may be used for any legitimate professional development expense including faculty stipends, domestic and international travel, conference and workshop fees, research expenses, professional association memberships, sabbatical expenses, etc. The Call for Proposal for the Competitive Professional Development Funds is sent in December. An Internal Grants Cover Sheet is needed when submitting your proposal. Be sure to review the Internal Grants Guidelines before submitting. It is a detailed list of what is needed when submitting your proposal.
Faculty-Student Projects
This program funds a range of faculty-student projects including but not limited to laboratory research, archival research, research in preparation for honors theses or other significant student projects, and projects in the studio arts, music and theatre. Projects may involve collaborative faculty-student research, faculty supervised undergraduate research, or intensive projects in the arts, music and theatre. The goal is to accommodate different types of faculty-student projects aimed at improving student learning and strengthening faculty teaching and/or scholarship. Tenured and tenure-track faculty and academic affairs staff with faculty rank may apply. Part-time and visiting faculty may apply with departmental approval. The Call for Proposal for the Faculty-Student Projects Funds is sent in December. An Internal Grants Cover Sheet is needed when submitting your proposal. Be sure to review the Internal Grants Guidelines before submitting. It is a detailed list of what is needed when submitting your proposal.
Andrew W. Mellon Integrated Scholarly Community Program
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded Southwestern a three-year $150,000 grant to promote integrated (group, interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary) activities by faculty. The Awards Committee invites proposals focusing upon study abroad, research, innovative pedagogies, community-based learning and diversity on campus. This program encourages interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work. At least on team member must be faculty, but staff members are welcome in project teams. The Call for Proposal for the Andrew W. Mellon Integrated Scholarly Community Program Funds is sent in December. An Internal Grants Cover Sheet is needed when submitting your proposal. Be sure to review the Internal Grants Guidelines before submitting. It is a detailed list of what is needed when submitting your proposal.
Brown Junior Fellows Program
The Brown Junior Fellows Program is designed to provide tenure-track faculty with the opportunity to devote additional attention to the completion of scholarly and/or creative projects. Faculty may apply to have a release of three courses for the academic year (normally a 2-1 or 1-2 teaching load for one academic year). With appropriate justification, junior faculty may request the three-course reduction in one semester. Such proposals must provide a rationale for this request. In all cases, selected faculty members remain responsible for advising, committee work, and other departmental obligations during the semester in which the course releases are granted. It is anticipated that at least two fellowships will be awarded for the academic year. The Call for Proposal for the Brown Junior Fellows Program is sent in September.
Brown Senior Fellows Program
The Brown Senior Fellows Program is designed to give senior faculty with substantial research and/or creative projects additional time to conduct their professional work. Faculty may apply to have release from one semester of teaching responsibility or a release of three courses for the academic year (a 2-1 or 1-2 teaching load for one academic year). While the majority of awards will be for a one-year period, it will be possible for a faculty member to submit a proposal requesting course releases for a two-year period, not to exceed 3 courses per year over the two-year period (with corresponding increases in the budget and stipend). The Call for Proposal for the Brown Senior Fellows Program is sent in September.
Brown Fund for Innovation in Teaching
The Brown Fund for Innovation in Teaching is designed to provide support to faculty members who are interested in developing programs designed to enhance, improve, and inspire teaching at Southwestern University. Faculty will be invited to submit proposals on a yearly basis. The range of proposal topics may include programs to explore the development of interdisciplinary and team-taught courses, the development of pedagogy workshops and programs for Southwestern faculty, the development of peer networks for the improvement of teaching, and other innovative pedagogical programs. Faculty may request funds for materials and other program development expenses, a summer stipend, and a one-course release during the academic year to develop and implement the program. The Call for Proposal for the Brown Fund for Innovation in Teaching is sent in September.
Fleming Student Travel
This program funds student presentations at national and regional conferences. Usually, this student work results from student/faculty collaboration. The Call for Applications for Fleming Student Travel is sent in August.
The application needs to be submitted electronically to Christine Vasquez, vasquezc@southwestern.edu. The maximum award per student is $700. Faculty applies on behalf of students.
Sam Taylor Awards
The will of the late Sam Taylor set aside income from a portion of his estate to fund continuing education and development of faculty members at United Methodist-related colleges and universities in Texas. Grants may be used for graduate study or post-graduate research. The Call for Proposals for the Sam Taylor Funds is sent in May. The deadline for proposal submission is August 7th or the next business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday. Please submit proposals via e-mail to Christine Vasquez (vasquezc@southwestern.edu). Please direct questions to John McCann (x1233, mccannj@southwestern.edu).
Awards Committee
An Awards Committee will make awards for all internal, competitive faculty development programs. These include Competitive Professional Development Funds, Faculty-Student Projects, Brown Junior and Senior Fellowships, Mellon Integrated Scholarly Community Program, and any future competitive programs. Committee members will have staggered terms of up to three years. The Provost, Dean of the Sarofim School of Fine Arts, and Associate Dean of the Brown College will also serve on the committee. The Awards Committee membership is as follows:
- four tenure-track or tenured faculty elected by division/school
- three tenure-track or tenured faculty elected by the faculty-at-large
- one librarian or academic affairs staff member with faculty rank elected by the faculty-at-large
