Internal Competitive Research and Scholarly Leaves

Each Fall Semester the University requests applications for competitive research leaves paid from Kenan, Pogue, William R. Kenan, Jr., William N. Reynolds, and R.J. Reynolds Industries.

Faculty are strongly urged to apply outside the University for support for their research and creative projects.  Faculty who expect any kind of leave consideration will buttress their case if they have applied for both the University leaves and those awarded by outside agencies.

The following terms apply to the leaves:

Any full-time salaried member of the faculty is eligible to apply unless fewer than five years have elapsed since the applicant's return from one of the leaves listed above.

Preference will be given to applicants who have tenure and to those who have not had an off-campus assignment during the past three years.

Individuals holding fixed-term appointments will generally be considered as less competitive.

Length and distinction of the service of the applicant may be recognized by the Committee in making its recommendations for leave awards, but the quality of the research proposal itself will be the paramount consideration.  The Committee will be influenced by the research experience of the applicant and by the prospect that work done during the leave will make a significant research contribution or, in the case of proposals dealing with the creative arts and letters, creative contribution.  The Committee may also consider the contribution which the research is likely to make in furthering the career of the faculty member and the research interests of the University.

Proposals dealing with creative activity and study by artists, musicians, and writers will be considered together with proposals for scholarly research.

Funds supporting these leaves usually pay a full salary for half of the annual service period of the applicant or a half salary for the full annual service period up to a maximum amount of $60,000.

While on leave with full pay, successful applicants may not receive through the University payroll office any salary payments other than leave pay from one of the sources mentioned above (e.g. Kenan, Pogue, etc.); or in cases where the rate of pay exceeds the predetermined maximum, another non-state (i.e. trust funds) source of funds.  Persons receiving half pay while on leave may not also hold half-time teaching posts in the University.

Impact on Benefits

Faculty awarded competitive research and scholarly leaves will retain benefit eligibility while on leave with an expectation that the faculty member will return from such leave or assignment and complete one full year of service.

Applicants should submit the application to the Office of the Provost, CB #8000, 218 South Building.  Completed applications must be received in the Office of the Provost before 5:00 p.m. on the due date indicated in the annual Fall announcement in order to be considered by the Committee.

Applications should consist of the original and seven copies of:

• a letter to the Chair of the Committee on Faculty Research and Study Leaves
• a description of the work to be undertaken during the leave.  The description should provide some detail, but under no circumstances should the description exceed two pages in length.
• the description should also indicate what the research leave would do for the applicant and for the institution, describe the significance of the research work to the field, and relate the significance of the research work to the applicant's overall research and career development.
• Specify the time period proposed for the leave and identify any non-University sources of support which may be available during the period of the proposed leave.
• a curriculum vitae of the applicant with indications of past leaves or released time or reassignment of duties.
• a supporting statement from the immediate superior of the applicant.  When there is a case of more than one application from a department or school, the chair or dean/director will be asked to rank the applications.

The Committee on Faculty Research and Study Leaves will usually consist of the following individuals:  the Deans of the School of Medicine and the College of Arts and Sciences, two faculty members (one from Academic Affairs, one from Health Affairs), the Executive Associate Provost, the Associate Provost for Academic Initiatives, and the Provost as Chair.