Initiatives to Support Our Academic Success Goals
We are sharing key initiatives and funding opportunities that will help advance our shared goals and better support every Wildcat.
Dear colleagues,
Last week, I reported on our progress to the Arizona Board of Regents and presented our newly established Academic Success Goals that will serve as foundational guidance in advancing our strategic imperatives.
To help advance our shared goals and work together to deliver on our promise, I am pleased to share key initiatives and funding opportunities.
Transdisciplinary Strategic Cluster Hire Program
In collaboration with the Office of Research and Partnerships, we are launching a strategic cluster hire program with the goal of hiring up to 20 new faculty per year for the next five years to drive convergence through transdisciplinary research focused on one or more of the five strategic research initiatives:
- National Security in Space
- Promise of Fusion Energy
- AI-Driven Health Care Innovation
- Future of Sustainable Mining and Critical Minerals
- Environmental Systems, Arid Lands Agriculture and Water
Funding: The Office of the Provost will allocate up to $2 million annually to cover 50% of the salary for the first two years. The Office of Research and Partnerships will provide 50% of the start-up expenses, up to $4 million annually.
Graduate Student Stipend Increase
Starting in fiscal year 2027, we are establishing a new minimum annual stipend rate for graduate students to attract highly qualified applicants who will contribute to our research and teaching missions.
Funding: The Office of the Provost will provide a one-time investment to cover 50% of graduate student stipend increases in fiscal year 2027. We will provide additional details in a separate memo to deans and division leaders.
Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
As part of our commitment to advance excellence and innovation in teaching, research and service, we are introducing a new fellowship program to recruit outstanding early career postdoctoral scholars whose research will enhance our land-grant mission and strategic imperatives. Participating fellows must have the potential to be considered for a future tenure-track position at the U of A.
Funding: The Office of the Provost will provide funding for salary and research support for the first two years of the fellowship.
Provost Bridge Funding Program for Student Success
To sustain projects that directly advance undergraduate and graduate student success, retention, and graduation, we are creating the Provost Bridge Funding Program for Student Success. This program will provide short-term institutional support to principal investigators and project teams to maintain momentum when experiencing temporary gaps or delays in federal grant funding.
Funding: A total of $200,000 is allocated for this program as a one-time investment in spring 2026.
Provost Scholarly Engagement Fund
In September, we established the Provost Scholarly Engagement Fund to support departments and units across the university in hosting scholarly activities, such as conferences, symposia, workshops, speaker series and poster sessions.
Funding: Requests are accepted for amounts up to $5,000.
Provost’s Author Support Fund
We continue to offer the Provost’s Author Support Fund to all faculty of all tracks and ranks and academic professionals whose roles include research, publication, or creative activity.
Funding: An allocation of up to $1,500 is available on a competitive basis.
In addition to these initiatives, we have established the Provost Fellows for Academic Success Goals to support deans and our partners across campus in implementing our Academic Success Goals and our strategic imperatives. In January, we will have selected the Fellows who will help guide our efforts to integrate these goals into the priorities of each college and division and assess progress over time.
I am deeply grateful for your contributions to developing our Academic Success Goals over these past months and for the dedication you bring every day to support student success. This work belongs to all of us, and achieving these ambitious goals will require continued collaboration across all departments and units.
We have exceptional faculty and staff, and together, we will shape a bright future for Wildcats.
With gratitude,
Patricia A. Prelock
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
This email was sent to Deans and Department Heads, Chairs, Directors, Assistant/Associate Deans, Provost Integrated Leadership Team, university academic and administrative senior leaders