Scholarly Activity and Faculty Development
External Grants
The College encourages the faculty to seek external funding for their scholarly activity. You should discuss your proposal with your Division Head and the Financial Officer early in the application process, particularly if the proposal includes matching funds, equipment, space needs, new employees, course release, or supplemental salary. The Chancellor and the Associate Dean will be notified of any such requests by the Division Head and the Chief Financial Officer for their review and approval prior to submission of your grant.
Please contact the Finance Office and your Division Head, even if you are applying for a grant or fellowship that would be awarded to you as an individual, or if you are going to serve as a co-Principal Investigator, or if you wish to collaborate on a grant proposal with another institution. Do not sign any paperwork on behalf of Penn State University; these papers must be signed at University Park.
Send your completed grant and budget proposal to the Financial Officer at least one month prior to the deadline so that his office can assist you in drafting your budget, completing the necessary forms, and obtaining the needed signatures. In general, it is advisable to contact the Financial Officer early in the process for guidance about budget preparation, since this office serves as the college liaison to the University Park Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), where grant proposals are sent for University approval. A copy of your completed grant and budget proposal should also be sent to your Division Head.
If you do not work with the Finance Office and the Office of Academic Affairs, the College reserves the right to decide not to submit your proposal, or not to accept your award.
Helpful links to many University websites on research and grants may be found through the website of the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of The Graduate School
Course Release Policy for Tenure-Line Faculty Engaged in Externally Funded Projects
The following guidelines are designed to serve as an incentive for full-time tenure-line faculty members who apply for externally funded projects.
Eligible faculty must apply to the Chancellor or the Associate Dean of the College for time release to work on a sponsored project for a purpose that relates to the University’s teaching, research, and service missions. Approval will be contingent upon the needs of the faculty member’s Division and the faculty member’s workload.
Tenure line faculty members who wish to be released from a three credit hour course during a semester must request 10 percent of their academic year salary and associated fringe benefits from an external or other funding agency to secure this release time. Courses that count for fewer credits or more credits will be calculated proportionately.
