Faculty Fellows

Page Contents:01.About the program02.How to apply03.Additional guidelines and resources04.Frequently asked questions

About the program

The SHASS Faculty Fellows Program offers faculty the opportunity to participate in a supportive intellectual community on campus.

Applications are due Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

The Faculty Fellows program has three core aims: (1) to provide SHASS faculty with time to focus on their research, writing, or artistic production, and to receive collegial support for the same; (2) to foster social and intellectual community within the School, including between faculty and students beyond the classroom; and (3) to provide informal opportunities to develop intergenerational professional mentorships.

Meet our past and current Fellows.

The SHASS Faculty Fellows is a competitive program, requiring an application from a member of the tenure-line faculty and a brief endorsement by their Head. Fellowships are for one semester. If selected as a Fellow, faculty will receive one course release to allow for in-person participation in the full activities of the program (the expectation is that Fellows will not teach during that term). Program activities will include: biweekly lunches; the sharing of work in progress with other Fellows; and presentations of research to the community. Fellows will be expected to remain in residence at MIT, and to deliver one public lecture and/or give a student-oriented talk to the Burchard Scholars. The SHASS Research Chair leads the Faculty Fellows Program.

Fellows will be provided with the opportunity to apply for paid UROP support of their research activities.

Fellows will be expected to continue their service to their Unit, School, and/or Institute, as well as maintain their advising commitments while in residence.

The call for applications which contains additional information can be found here.

If you have questions about the program or how to apply, contact us for support.

How to apply

To apply, submit online via the InfoReady website. Prospective applicants should consult with their department head and director of administration and finance as soon as possible to discuss their interest in the program and the implications of potential participation for their teaching plans for the following year. Applications are to include:

  • a completed application form
  • a one-page description of current research including specific plans for the Fellowship term
  • indication of interest in and commitment to the community aspect of the Fellows program
  • an updated CV (including MIT service)

Applications will not be considered complete until the department head has submitted their endorsement. Heads should submit applicant endorsement forms via InfoReady by October 7, 2025. Endorsements should take into consideration the three aims of the program, the guidance to the review committee, the preparedness of the applicant to carry out the proposed work, and the curricular and service needs of your unit

You can access the application here.

Additional guidelines and resources

Selection process

An annual review committee will be composed of four faculty members representing the diversity of SHASS disciplinary fields, to be appointed by the Dean and/or Associate Dean for Faculty, plus the SHASS Research Chair and the Associate Dean for Faculty (ex officio). The SHASS Research Chair will chair the committee. The committee will review applications per the below guidelines to compose a disciplinarily diverse cohort of fellows, up to six per semester. In addition to considering the preparedness of the applicant for the proposed project the committee will also take into account what applicants are likely to bring to and get out of the Fellows program at this particular time.

Important dates

  • The application deadline for both Fall ‘26 and Spring ‘27 cohorts is October 7, 2025.
  • Deadline for head endorsements is October 7, 2025.

Eligibility

  • SHASS tenure-line faculty.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No.

  • No.

  • No.

  • Yes.

  • Only after a period of six years has elapsed.

  • Limited support may be available after consultation between the Unit Head and Director of Administration and Finance.

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