New program to help faculty with grant writing, attaining promotion

March 21, 2017 | UToday
By Madison Vasko



The UT Scholars Institute Program is a new opportunity for faculty members to gain broad perspectives on many aspects of externally funded projects.

The program was developed by Dr. Amy Thompson, professor of public health and fellow in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

“I am thrilled to create and launch the UT Scholars Institute. As a full professor, I want to help junior faculty earn promotion and tenure and improve their grant writing skills. This can help them in their journey to become productive scholars and to earn tenure and promotion. I never would have been promoted without other faculty helping me. Now I want to give back and help others,” Thompson said.

Information presented in these sessions will be tailored to the needs and interests of those in the institute. Attendees also can expect presentation from various experts in the field.

“Many faculty members have not received training in grant writing or how to navigate our grants system,” Thompson said. “This can be overwhelming and act as a huge barrier for submission. I want to make research and scholarship a smooth process at UT. This will be a useful program that will also hopefully get faculty to connect with other disciplines and exchange ideas and questions.”

The 2017 UT Scholars Institute Program will convene in May and meet for six monthly Friday morning sessions, concluding in October.

Participation is open to all non-tenured faculty members who are within their first four years of hire.

The deadline for applications is Friday, March 31. Those selected for participation will be notified by Friday, April 14.

Those interested in the Scholars Institute Program can find more information and the application to join at utoledo.edu/research/SIP.html.