Big 12 Faculty Fellowships

Overview

University of Central Florida is proud to participate in the Big 12 Faculty Fellowships Program, an initiative designed to foster scholarly collaboration within the Big 12 Athletic Conference. This program offers faculty the unique opportunity to travel to member institutions, exchange ideas, and engage in collaborative research and creative activities.

The  Big 12 Faculty Fellowships Program allows faculty members to:

• Collaborate on research projects
• Deliver lectures or host symposia
• Acquire new research and creative activity skills
• Access specialized archives or laboratory facilities

Program Guidelines

• Fellowships Available:  Up to four funded fellowships may be awarded for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Proposals will also be reviewed for recognition as Big 12 Faculty Fellowships, even if no funding is requested in the budget. This option is for applicants whose proposal meets award criteria but have secured funding from other sources (e.g., departmental travel budget, research grants) to cover their expenses.
• Eligibility: All full-time tenured and tenure-earning faculty are encouraged to apply. Proposals from non-tenure-earning faculty will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Visitation: Faculty may visit any of the other Big 12 universities.
• Salary Coverage: UCF will maintain the faculty member’s current compensation status during the visit.
• Travel Expenses: To help defray reasonable travel, lodging, and meal expenses, up to $2,500 may be allocated per funded proposal in accordance with state travel policies.
• Duration of Visit: Duration of Visit: Visits typically last up to two weeks, but longer durations may be arranged.
• Duty Coverage: Duty Coverage: Faculty are responsible for ensuring their responsibilities are covered during their absence.
• Leave Restrictions: Leave Restrictions: The fellowship cannot be combined with sabbatical leave, external fellowships, or other types of leave.
• Post-Visit Report:  A brief report detailing the visit’s outcomes, including any future research and creative activity directions, must be submitted to the Provost within one year after the visit.

Application Form Requirements

Application materials may be submitted here as one PDF (not PDF portfolio, rather one PDF document) and should include in order:

1. Description of proposed visit, including the purpose and activities of the proposed visit (one page).
2. Explanation of how the visit will complement your current or proposed new area of research and creative activities, including how UCF and the host institution will benefit from this experience (one page).
3. Letter of support signed by the Department Chair or School Director detailing the coverage of duty during absence and benefits of the experience for the Department and/or School (one page).
4. Letter of support signed by the Dean (one page).
5. Letter of invitation from the host institution (variable length) that includes:
   1. Their willingness to accept you as a visitor, and
   2. How they will accommodate your specific technical needs (e.g., lab space, access to materials in the library, access to key individuals).
6. Detailed budget for transportation, meals, and lodging (one page) is required for
   1. Proposals with a total budget of ≤ $2,500
   2. Proposals with $0 requested (e.g., if a faculty member has secured alternative funding) for recognition as Big 12 Faculty Fellowships, but without any monetary award.

NOTE: Fellowship awards must be used/spent during the fiscal year for which they are awarded.

Submission Details

Applications are submitted through “Application for Big 12 Faculty Fellowships” form below. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be evaluated.

Application for Big 12 Faculty Fellowships

Opportunities for Incoming Faculty from Other Big 12 Universities

We also encourage our faculty to invite colleagues from other Big 12 institutions for visits that would enhance our academic community. If confirmed, please inform Faculty Excellence with details about the visitor and their intended contributions. Host departments should assist with temporary housing and logistical arrangements during the visit.

For additional inquiries regarding the program, please reach out to Faculty Excellence.

Join us in building a vibrant academic community through collaboration and exchange within the Big 12!