Faculty Fellows

Page Contents:01.About the program02.How to apply03.Selection process04.Frequently asked questions

About the program

The SHASS Faculty Fellows Program, administered by the MIT Human Insight Collaborative, offers faculty the opportunity to participate in a supportive intellectual community on campus.

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.

Learn about the cohort named for the 2026-27 Fellows program.

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 (Fellows should not teach during the fellowship term). Program activities will include: an offsite retreat prior to the beginning of the semester; biweekly lunches; the sharing of work in progress with other Fellows; and the opportunity to present to or attend a dinner with the undergraduate Burchard Scholars. Fellows will be expected to remain in residence at MIT.

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

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

The call for applications with 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 Submittable. 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 due October 19, 2026 and will include:

  • a completed application form
  • a 500-word 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 via Submittable. Endorsements are due October 30, 2026 and should take into consideration the three aims of the program (above), the guidance given to the review committee (see the CFA), the preparedness of the applicant to carry out the proposed work, and the curricular and service needs of your unit.

Selection process

An annual review committee of former fellows representing the diversity of SHASS fields will be convened by the Associate Dean for Faculty (ex officio). The committee will review applications 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 consider the recency of professional leave, upcoming promotions, and what applicants are likely to bring to and get out of the Fellows program at this time.

 

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.

  • Yes! Fellows who take a one-semester, tenured sabbatical leave in the same academic year as their fellowship do not need to teach that year or make up teaching credits later. N.B.: this is an exception to the usual expectation that, when taking a leave or holding a Faculty Fellowship for one semester, faculty will teach 2 subjects in the alternate semester. Pre-tenure faculty should discuss with their Head the teaching implications of taking a Faculty Fellowship alongside a Junior Research or Old Dominion leave since a robust teaching record is necessary for promotion cases. (Again, service is expected while being a Faculty Fellow.)

Sign up for the SHASS newsletter

* indicates required