Candidates in all fields are evaluated by faculty reviewers in their own fields and in related fields. Faculty reviewers will evaluate candidates according to their academic accomplishments, the strength of their research proposal, and their potential for faculty careers that will, as determined by the University of Michigan and in accordance with law, contribute to the core values of the University of Michigan, and to equal opportunity in higher education, through their research, teaching, and/or service. Faculty reviewers also may consider the mentor's potential to work productively with the candidate.

The program is particularly interested in scholars with the potential to bring to their research and undergraduate teaching the critical perspective that comes from their non-traditional educational background or understanding of the experiences of groups historically underrepresented in higher education. This experience can benefit the candidate’s potential to serve the broadly diverse student body at U-M; moreover, experience working with, teaching and/or mentoring a wide range of people from different backgrounds can enhance the candidate’s potential to contribute to innovation in their field by broadening their perspectives and their approach to their work.

All candidates will be evaluated based on their proffered demonstration of these factors, without regard to their individual identity (that is, there is no presumption for or against any candidate on the basis of identity, with respect to these or any other evaluation factors). Candidates will also be evaluated on fit with current needs and strengths of the institution and future funding possibilities. 

Throughout this document, the terms "diversity" and "equal opportunity" are meant to be interpreted as defined by the University of Michigan and in accordance with law. U-M considers diversity to be expressed in myriad forms, including race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, first generation status, socioeconomic status, language, culture, national origins, religious commitments, age, disability status, and political perspective. By equal opportunity, we mean efforts to reduce educational disparities based on these factors. An individual applicant’s own race, ethnicity, sex, or other protected identity characteristics may never be considered.

Applicants’ protected identity characteristics (such as race, ethnicity, sex, etc.) will not be considered in evaluating or selecting fellows. Faculty reviewers will submit their recommendations to the Office of the Provost, where the final selections will be determined. 

In evaluating the candidates' potential to contribute to diversity and equal opportunity through their academic careers, faculty review committees may consider the following criteria:

Research

(Applicants are encouraged to address these points in their Research Proposal.)

• Applicants who have research interests focusing on underserved populations and understanding issues of inequalities, particularly regarding equal access to higher education. For example,
  • research that addresses issues such as diversity and equal opportunity, keeping in mind that U-M considers diversity to be expressed in myriad forms, including race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, first generation status, socioeconomic status, language, culture, national origins, religious commitments, age, disability status, and political perspective;
  • research that addresses topics such as health disparities, educational access and achievement, political engagement, economic justice, social mobility, civil and human rights and other questions of interest to historically underrepresented groups;
  • artistic expression and cultural production that reflects culturally diverse communities or voices not well represented in the arts and humanities.
• Applicants with the potential to bring to their academic research the critical perspective that comes from their understanding of the experiences of groups historically underrepresented in higher education.
• Applicants who have the potential to make research contributions to understanding the barriers facing members of groups who have been historically underrepresented in these fields in higher education. For example,
  • studying patterns of participation and advancement of women, racial minorities, first generation students, and other groups in academic fields where they are underrepresented;
  • evaluating research programs, curricula and teaching strategies designed to enhance participation of students from groups underserved by higher education.

  Teaching and Service

  (Applicants are encouraged to address these points in their Education Background Statement.)

• Applicants who have the potential to contribute to higher education/the mission of the University through their understanding of the barriers that individuals face in accessing higher education. Examples include but are not limited to:
  • attendance at a minority serving institution;
  • ability to articulate the barriers facing women, racial minorities, first generation participants, people with disabilities, and other groups, particularly in fields where those groups are underrepresented;
  • Applicants with a record of leadership or significant experience in activities that advance access to higher education for groups in fields where those groups are underrepresented, aiming to reduce disparities, including those based on race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, first generation status, socioeconomic status, language, culture, national origins, religious commitments, age, disability status, and political perspective.
• Applicants with a record of leadership or significant experience teaching and mentoring (among others and in particular) students from groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education, that can enhance the candidate’s potential for teaching, mentoring, and research innovation as described above.
• Applicants who have demonstrated significant academic achievement by overcoming barriers such as economic, social or educational disadvantage.

Other Factors that May be Considered

Faculty review committees may give less consideration to applicants who:

• Have had significant postdoctoral experience
• Propose to work in the department where they received their Ph.D. or currently hold postdoctoral appointments with their proposed mentor

Applicants in the situations above should address their circumstances in their application. Norms vary widely by field in the amount of postdoctoral experience that is expected, and applicants may speak to those norms. Applicants who currently hold tenure-track positions in another institution are not eligible to apply.

Faculty review committees will also consider the candidate’s fit with current needs and strengths of the institution and future funding possibilities.

Eligibility

Successful applicants must present documents demonstrating that they are legally authorized to work in the United States without restrictions or limitations. The University will not sponsor employment visas for this fellowship. Please note that in compliance with federal law, all persons selected will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

The Program is open to all persons who meet the eligibility criteria without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, or any other protected identity characteristic. Candidates’ protected identity characteristics will not be considered in their evaluation. Information regarding citizenship, gender, race and ethnicity is requested for statistical purposes only and will not be provided to the Selection Committee.