About the Program

This is a partnership program between the Office of the Provost and the Office of Research, Innovation, and Impact. The program accepted the first class of Fellows in 2020. This program is designed to provide development opportunities to associate professors (tenured and NTT faculty) prior to promotion to full Professor. Selected faculty participate in workshops and career-building events that focus on topics of balancing service commitments, engaging in collaborative work, understanding promotion criteria, research and teaching supports, and other topics of concern to mid-career faculty.

During the two-year program, participants are expected to attend monthly 1.5-hour sessions on a range of topics, engage in discussions with peer researchers and participate in individual consultations with staff.

Development topics are adapted to meet the needs of the cohort. Topics may include:

• Career possibilities and pathways.
• Refocusing your research and/or teaching agenda.
• Identifying potential funding opportunities and collaborators.
• The path to promotion.
• The role of public engagement in your work.
• Developing effective research and/or teaching teams.
• Engaging students in research and/or teaching.
• Balancing mid-career service obligations.

Other benefits of program participation include:

• Optional writing retreats.
• Networking and building community with other associate professors.
• Priority registration for research development events.
• Additional one-on-one consultations for proposal review, strategy development, and career support.
• Annual stipend for participation.
• Funding for professional development or external mentor.

Applying for the 2025-2027 Cohort

Applications for the next cohort of Fellows into this 2-year program are available. Please apply here.

Applications will stay open through January 20, 2025 and selections will be made by March 15, 2025. 

Eligibility: This opportunity is open associate professors (tenured & NTT faculty) who have not yet been promoted to full professor and are seeking career-development support.

Program Timeline: The two-year program will span the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years.

The following information and documentation are required (submitted as 1 PDF file):

1. Statement of Interest: Why would you like to participate in the Mid-Career Research Development Fellows Program? Please include your professional goals during the 2 years of the cohort (3 page max).
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Letter of support from your department chair or center director

Selected participants are expected to participate in at least 85% of the cohort activities & meetings.

Click here to view a list of program participants.

For questions about the program, please contact Brooke Hartman (hartmanem@missouri.edu) in the Provost’s Office.