The Office of the Provost and the Office of Research and Partnerships invite proposals for strategic faculty cluster hires. These proposals should align with the university’s strategic imperatives and academic success goals. Proposals should address one or more of the five strategic research initiatives. Proposals may be submitted by any college with letters of support from the partnering college(s). Deans and department heads are encouraged to collaborate in developing proposals to ensure alignment across units and to strengthen the overall submission. The Fall 2026 submission period closes on December 14, 2026.

This University-wide initiative is designed to recruit outstanding early career postdoctoral scholars whose research advances the university’s mission as a land-grant institution and advances our strategic imperative to engage in research that is innovative, makes a community impact and shapes the future. Applications open: August 31, 2026. Submission deadline: November 4, 2026 at 12 p.m.

The Finishing Fellowship was established to advance the university’s strategic imperatives and demonstrate Provost Prelock’s commitment to supporting graduate student success and timely program completion. The fellowship provides financial and academic support to help recipients complete their GIDP master’s or doctoral degree during the award period. The nomination session will open September 4, 2026. Deadline to submit the maximum nominations per eligible GIDP is November 1, 2026

Managed by the Office of the Provost, this new fund supports units in hosting scholarly activities such as conferences, symposia, workshops, speaker series, and poster sessions. Funding is limited to hosting and does not cover professional development or individual travel to external conferences. Requests of up to $5,000 will be considered. Rolling deadlines: September 1, 2026, December 1, 2026, February 1, 2027 and April 1, 2027.