Mini-Sabbatical Information

Mini-Sabbatical Application Form (Word)

The Faculty Development Committee is soliciting proposals for the Mini-Sabbatical Program for the period of January 1 through June 30, 2010 from tenured, tenure-track, adjunct, or visiting faculty who have been on contract at The University for two or more years and anticipate being on contract during the project year. An individual (or individuals), program, department, or any other operating unit may apply.

Purpose

The Mini-Sabbatical Program offers faculty the opportunity to acquire new academic skills through travel off-campus for a period of no less than five working days (excluding travel days) and up to one semester. For example, applicants are encouraged to work in a specialized laboratory, take courses at another university, work with a master artist or scholar, or undertake similar efforts of a professional nature. Please note that the committee will not support attendance at what they judge to be routine association meetings.

Goal

The goal of this program is to help faculty develop or acquire new knowledge, skills or abilities which will assist them in teaching, conducting research, scholarship, or performing creative activities.

Requirements

1. How the goal listed above will be achieved must specifically be addressed in the submission.
2. A detailed time schedule of the proposed activity must be provided.
3. A budget must be included. Please indicate requests for or commitments of, any matching funds, since these are viewed as very meaningful by the Faculty Development Committee.
4. When applicable, a letter of support from the individual or institution where the Mini-Sabbatical will be performed must be included.
5. A letter of support from the Department Chair must be provided. Letters of support from other departments will also enhance the proposal.
6. Please prioritize applications multiple proposals or proposals in more than one category of faculty development are submitted.
7. The UM Faculty Development Program should be acknowledged as having supported any activities which may result from this funding. Examples would be if manuscripts are published, presentations or performances given, or so on.

Support

Successful proposals may receive support to a maximum of $1,500. Proposals may include support for travel, facility usage fees, and other such appropriate expenses. Note that the Committee cannot consider requests for salary costs or for any costs related to securing a replacement for the applicant during the absence.

Other Information

UM faculty from outside the applicant's area of expertise will review the application. Avoid technical jargon and make certain the terminology and concepts all understandable to those who work outside the applicant's specialty field.

The original proposal shall be sent to the Office of the Provost, University Hall 126 (UH 126). No copies need be submitted, although applicants should keep a copy for their records. The proposal application form is accessible from the link at the top of the page and may be completed and printed or downloaded and saved. Please note that the application form requires a commitment from the department or academic unit granting the release time where applicable. Questions regarding the application may be directed to the Office of the Provost at (406) 243-4689.

Successful applicants are required to submit a brief report regarding their experience within one year of the date of the event. This report should be addressed to the Provost, and sent to the Office of the Provost. The report shall include a brief description of the project, the applicable dates, and an assessment of the impact on the faculty member's development as a teacher. In addition, anyone applying for an award who was a recipient of a Faculty Development Award in the past three (3) years, shall attach a copy of that report(s) to the current application.