Faculty Excellence Program

Dean’s Faculty Fellowships
The college offers Dean’s Faculty Fellowships to provide selected faculty members with one semester off from teaching one course to focus on a major initiative in research and scholarly work or the development of substantial educational materials or initiatives. This semester may not be combined with or taken within one year of a sabbatical or an instructor's differentiated workload semester. The faculty member is expected to continue service, student advising and research responsibilities during the fellowship period and to remain primarily in residence at CU Boulder. Applications are due to the dean’s office on February 20 for either semester of the following academic year. They should include a one-page description of the purpose and anticipated benefits of the faculty fellowship. Also, include a brief endorsement from your department chair or program director* confirming that your course release can be accommodated by the unit. Please submit both documents as a single PDF. The dean’s office will provide $10,000 to the fellow’s home department or program for teaching relief. A maximum of four fellowships will be awarded each year. 

Dean’s Seed Fund for Novel Ideas
The college has set aside discretionary funds to provide seed support for new ideas. Faculty may submit a proposal at any time. It should include a one-page description of the idea and its anticipated benefits, including a brief budget. The amount requested from the dean’s office should be matched 1:1 from the department or program, and the total should not exceed $10,000 ($15,000, if two units are involved). Note that a supporting letter from the chair or director is not required; instead, the dean’s office will send the chair or director an email to confirm the match for each selected proposal that requires matching funds. 

For Spring 2024, the application materials for a Dean’s Faculty Fellowship or Dean’s Seed Fund should be forwarded to the Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Advancement, Penina Axelrad or Director of Faculty Advancement, Robyn Sandekian.

*The endorsement must come from the chair or director responsible for course assignments. This differs in certain programs based on where the faculty member is rostered and by whom course assignments are made. [clarification added 3-6-2024]