Advancing Research Fellowships

Eligibility

Assistant, Associate, and Full Professors are eligible to apply for these fellowships.

Applicants are expected to consult with their Department Chair (or equivalent) about the possibility of receiving a course release prior to applying.

Applicants may not apply to this opportunity and one of the other three opportunities that constitute the Faculty Grants Programs (Advancing Research Fellowship, Provost’s Fund for Collaborative Research, Faculty Projects Grant) in the same academic year. Awardees may not receive more than two awards from the Faculty Grants Programs in a three-year period.

Eligible Projects

Projects eligible for the Advancing Research Fellowships are large-scale works that are already in progress beyond initial development or planning. To be considered, proposals must outline a clear path to completion, including a defined timeline and specific outputs/deliverables. This ensures the fellowship supports projects that are well-planned and have a high likelihood of reaching a successful conclusion.

Ineligible Projects

• Activities already defined as part of a faculty member's expected duties and responsibilities (i.e. teaching of established courses, service and committee work, etc).
• Activities for which the faculty member is already receiving additional compensation, a course release, or some other form of support from the College.
• Projects from faculty members who have received two Faculty Grants Programs awards in the previous three years.

Eligible Expenses

Funds may only be used for a single course release. No project expenses are allowed.

Criteria & Considerations

When reviewing applications, the selection committee will consider the following criteria:

• The feasibility of the course release facilitating the applicant to execute the work within the proposed time frame.
• The potential for the project to advance the scholarly record and career trajectory of the applicant.
• The potential of the project to advance the field or fields of study in which it is proposed, and make substantial contributions towards research, creative visibility, or create opportunities for external funding.
• The potential of the project to advance the mission, core values, and strategic initiatives of Emerson College.
• The applicant’s attestation of preliminary approval from the Department Chair and/or School Dean for the course release.

Application Form and Instructions

Applications can be submitted via InfoReady. InfoReady is a web-based workflow platform designed to streamline and simplify workflow tasks for academic institutions, including internal funding competitions.

All faculty can log in to InfoReady using their Emerson SSO credentials. After logging in, select the “Faculty Grants Program: Advancing  Research Fellowship” application from the list of grant programs and click the “Apply” button.

To prepare for the application, a list of the application questions can be found here.

In addition to the completed form, applicants should prepare the following attachments:

• A current CV
• Any additional documents (publishing contracts, collaborator letters, grant opportunity information, etc.)

Review and Selection of Applications

Applications will receive initial review and approval from the applicant’s Department Chair (or equivalent). Submissions approved by the applicant’s Chair will then advance to Provost’s Council review.

The Provost’s Council will review the applications and make award recommendations to the Provost, who will select the final recipients. 

FY2027 Calendar

October 1 , 2025

Application form opens in InfoReady. 

Before November 10, 2025

Applicants should consult with their Department Chair and/or School Dean to determine eligibility and appropriateness of their proposal idea to their research/scholarly/creative goals and the department, school, and institution's priorities.

The Executive Director for Research and Creative Scholarship will meet with eligible faculty members who have questions about preparing an Advancing Research Fellowships application.

November 10, 2025

Completed application form via InfoReady is due by 11:59 p.m. EST.

By November 24, 2025

Department Chairs and/or School Deans  will review and approve and/or decline applications. 

By December 19, 2025

The Provost’s Council will evaluate all proposals and make award recommendations to the Provost, within the funding amount available.

By January 20, 2026

The Provost, in consideration of the recommendations provided by the Provost’s Council, will make final selections and award determinations.

February 1, 2026

The Executive Director for Research and Creative Scholarship will notify all applicants in writing about funding decisions.

September 2, 2026 - May 7, 2027

Awarded fellows will receive a single course release in either the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 (subject to consultation with their Department Chairs) and conduct work on their projects. Awarded fellows shall meet as a cohort at least twice a semester to share their progress and receive insights on their work.

Spring 2028

Awardees will showcase the product of their work at the Spring Faculty Celebration.

Funding

The Advancing Research Fellowships program is funded through the Office of the Provost. 

Reporting and Fellowship Requirements

Fellows will join a cohort designed to be a catalyst for their work. This peer group will provide a forum for feedback and critical discussion, giving fellows valuable opportunities to present their scholarly and creative works, receiving input from a trusted group of colleagues. This cohort will meet at least twice a semester to share their progress and receive insights to continue their works to completion.

All awardees will showcase their work at the Spring Faculty Celebration. The Office of Research and Creative Scholarship will reach out to awardees with more details in their award letters.