Pre-Tenure Research Fellowship

• Eligibility: Tenure-track faculty in Year 3 or Year 4 of their appointment are eligible to apply on a competitive basis and upon completion of a mid-tenure dossier review.
• Mid-Tenure Review: For TT faculty who apply in Fall of year 3, the PTRF award is contingent upon successful completion of the mid-tenure review in Spring of year 3.  
• Frequency: Tenure-track faculty may receive the PTRF award only once.
• Term: The PTRF period covers one full academic year, starting in the Fall semester, and must be completed before submitting the tenure dossier. 
• Faculty Responsibilities: During the research fellowship period, a TT faculty member will have teaching duties of one course per academic semester and maintain service requirements. 

Applications open early in the Fall semester of the year prior to the anticipated PTRF period (e.g., Fall 2026 applications support Academic Year 2027–2028). You may access the application through the InfoReady website.  

All proposals must be submitted through the InfoReady portal and include:

1. Research Plan (Max 2 pages): A brief but specific plan (no more than 2 pages) describing the research efforts the faculty member intends to complete during the PTRF period. This research plan should include a brief statement about the expected benefit to the faculty member, the College, and the University.
2. Additional Funding Proposals: Applicants are encouraged to seek non-University support for the PTRF period and their research efforts. Attempts to obtain funds (planned and ongoing) should be included in the two-page proposal. Faculty members anticipating financial support from external funding should discuss this with their Chair or Director prior to submitting the proposal.
3. Curriculum Vitae: A current, comprehensive CV must accompany the proposal.
4. Chair/Director Endorsement: A formal endorsement detailing course coverage plans. Note: You must input your Chair/Director's email address in InfoReady before submission so they receive instructions; letters of support are requested after the applicant deadline.

Note: Faculty anticipating external financial support should confer with their Chair or Director prior to proposal submission.

Selection Priorities

Priorities to be used by the selection committee are:

• Proposals that advance scholarship and/or teaching.
• Proposals demonstrating clear potential to enhance contributions to the department/division, College of Arts & Sciences, and University.
• Proposals detailing a clear, actionable plan for the fellowship year.

Committee Composition & Review

• Committee: The committee is constituted by members of the College of Arts & Sciences Research Council and tenured faculty from the College's disciplinary areas and coordinated by the Associate Dean of Research. The committee members represent the three disciplinary areas of the College (Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Science and Mathematical Sciences). 
• Evaluation: Committee members evaluate each proposal into three categories: (1) definitely fund, (2) fund if budget permits, or (3) do not fund. A supporting rationale is provided.  
• Consensus & Leadership Review: If possible, the committee reaches consensus on each candidate's application. Based upon the PTRF Committee's recommendations, the Associate Dean coordinates with department Chairs/Directors on course coverage for recommended applicants and associated costs.  
• Dean's Review: The Associate Dean overseeing the program discusses committee recommendations and financial feasibility with the Dean and the Dean's leadership team.  
• Notification: The Dean's office issues decision letters to each applicant by approximately December 15 each year based on competitiveness, financial feasibility, and budget availability. The faculty member's Chair/Director is copied.

• Contract: Faculty recommended to receive a PTRF award will receive a contract from the Dean's office.
• Service Commitment: Faculty who are awarded a PTRF must agree to remain at the University of Memphis for at least one full academic year after the assignment is completed.
• External Grant Incentive Pay: Faculty who are awarded a PTRF and have sufficient external grant support can receive incentive pay. Formal approval to draw against external grant funds must be secured before contract signing.
• Online Final Report: Within three months after the end of the PTRF period, the faculty member will be prompted to complete an online reporting form describing the accomplishments and benefits of the leave. 
• Ongoing Engagement: Faculty shall continue engagement in both teaching efforts and service as departmental citizens.