Diversity and Community Engagement
The University of Mississippi

Faculty Development Grant

Grant Description

The purpose of the Faculty Development Grant (FDG) funded by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DCE) at the University of Mississippi is to support development opportunities for tenure-track faculty to aid in the tenure process. The FDG will be awarded on a competitive basis to tenure-track faculty seeking ways to fund a development opportunity that will support their activities related to service, professional development, presentation of research and scholarly work, and teaching.

Development opportunities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Attending an academic conference, workshop, training, or webinar.
  • Supporting a presentation of research and scholarly work done on campus to a professional organization.

Grant Criteria  

  • To be eligible, an individual must be a University of Mississippi tenure-track faculty.
  • If awarded, an individual may only apply for funding once every two years.
  • Funds may not be utilized to conduct research. Click here to learn about the Achieving Equity Grant (AEG) for information on funding from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement to conduct research.

Application Process and Requirements  

To apply, please complete this online application form via Qualtrics and attach the following:

  • A brief description of the development opportunity. Description should address the goal for the grant with any appropriate details connected to the development opportunity.
  • A budget which includes all the expenses related to the opportunity, and how much funding you are seeking through FDG.
  • A letter of support from department chair or college dean.

Funding Stipulations   

  • Amount of funding and number of grants will depend on the funds available each fiscal year for the grant. The maximum amount of funding per grant is $2,000.
  • Because of the temporary nature of the funds and fiscal deadlines, funds must be expended by the date listed in the award offer. Unspent funds will not be held over.
  • Please visit the Office of Procurement Services to review the University of Mississippi spending policy.
  • Please provide proof of activity completion and final budget (must provide itemized receipts).
  • Recipient must complete a post-event report (please check below). Reports will be shared on the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement website.

Application Format

Contact Information

  • First Name (Preferred)
  • Last Name
  • UM Email
  • UM Phone Number
  • UM Department and Title
  • Department Chair Email

Program Information

  • Type of Development Opportunity
  • Amount Requested
  • Area of Inclusive Excellence (Academic Engagement, Climate, Access and Equity)
  • Application Packet (PDF) – Please compile a brief description of the development opportunity, requested amount/budget, and letter of support from Department Chair*
    • Please note: You will be redirected to another page in order to submit PDF at the end of survey.

Review Process

  • Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis.
  • Each proposal that meets the grant criteria will be evaluated by a review committee.
  • Evaluations will be based on (1) the completeness of the application, (2) the potential contribution to the development and tenure process of the applicant, (3) the potential contribution to the department and/or university, and (4) the potential application of the Inclusive Excellence Model.
  • Committee members will evaluate applications using the UM FDG Review Committee Rubric according to the timeline outlined below.

Timeline:

  • 2023-2024 Review Cycle
    • Friday, August 18, 2023—Applications open online via Qualtrics form.
    • Monday, September 18, 2023—Applications are due online via Qualtrics form no later than 11:59 pm.
      • Application data will be compiled and distributed to review committee; review committee will consist of faculty and administrators across the UM campus.
    • Monday, October 2, 2023—Applicants notified via email.

Completion Reporting

Recipients of the Faculty Development Grant must submit a post-event report no later than 30 days after the completion of their development opportunity. The form provides a place to submit the following information:

  • Description of the opportunity and its impact/outcomes
  • Description of how the activity advanced your development and how you can apply it to your academic department at the University of Mississippi

You can find the online submission form here.

Point of Contact

If you have any questions about your application, please contact us via email at DiversityEducation@olemiss.edu.

Jazmine D. Kelley
Diversity Education and Strategic Initiatives Director
Division of Diversity and Community Engagement

Reed Roberson
Graduate Assistant, Diversity Education and Strategic Initiatives
Division of Diversity and Community Engagement