Faculty Co-Funding
A. - Goal
In support of its mission to integrate materials research across the university, the MRI will accept proposals to co-fund faculty appointments. These appointments must enhance the broader, more interdisciplinary areas of Materials, and should aim to create new, unique and creative educational activities and research programs. The MRI will typically provide one-third of the permanent salary and start-up funds. For the purposes of promotion and tenure, the co-funded faculty will be a regular member of an academic department.
B. - Eligibility
A co-funded faculty position can be proposed by any academic unit at University Park or Hershey. All appointments must be within an existing academic department. Each of the three principal MRI Colleges - EMS, Engineering and Science - can present up to two faculty proposals each year, while other units will be limited to one per year.
C. - Procedure
Each proposal must be developed in collaboration with the appropriate department and dean. The dean will submit the proposal to the Director of the MRI. The Director will present the proposals to the MRI Advisory Board Members for their input and suggestions. There will be two submission dates per year: April 15th and October 15th. The decision to co-fund will be made by the MRI Executive Committee.
D. - Criteria
- Enhancing the quality of education and research in Materials
- Promoting interdisciplinarity and innovation
- Current and future importance of the research area
- Support of ongoing MRI initiatives
E. - Commitments
The departments and colleges that enter into co-funding agreements with MRI must provide, in writing:
- A plan for how the new faculty hire will improve undergraduate education in materials
- A description of the graduate teaching assignments and research activities
- A commitment to interdisciplinary research, and some proposed measures for evaluating the impact in each case
The written agreement will be maintained in the MRI, College and Department offices, and will be reviewed every five-years for renewed co-funding.
