DePaul University Research Services > Research Development > Research Faculty Mentor Program

Research Faculty Mentor Program

​​​​The Research Faculty Mentor Program is a two-year mentoring program thats pair tenure-track or tenured faculty mentees with tenured faculty mentors that have an active research and creative activity agenda to promote sustained collaboration, accelerate research independence, and provide structured support for grant development and submission. 

In addition to faculty collaboration, each mentoring team is paired with an ORS Pre-Award Specialist, who will:

  • Help identify relevant funding opportunities
  • Provide project management support throughout the year, and
  • Assist in the preparation and submission of grant proposals to external agencies, such as: Department of Energy, Illinois Arts Council, Institute of Education Sciences, Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Institutes of Health, and National Science Foundation.

Program Goals: 

  • Adding mentees as senior key personnel on proposals.
  • Assisting mentees in submitting proposals as Lead PI.
  • Co-authoring publications.
  • Integrating mentees into writing groups.
  • Expanding publishing networks through faculty connections. 

Mentor Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty.
  • Have a demonstrated record of research or creative activity productivity, including publications and external proposal submissions.
  • Be actively engaged in research and proposal development.
  • Have experience mentoring faculty, postdoctoral scholars, or graduate students.
  • Be willing to mentor two faculty mentees over a two-year period.
  • Commit to active participation in mentor–mentee meetings, collaboration with ORS, and proposal development activities.
  • Demonstrate the capacity to support interdisciplinary and externally funded research or creative activities.

Mentee Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be full-time tenure-track or early-career faculty.
  • Have an active research or creative activities agenda with potential for external funding.
  • Demonstrate a desire for mentorship in areas such as grant writing, research design, publishing, or interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Be willing to actively participate in mentoring meetings, workshops, and proposal development activities.
  • Commit to developing a research development plan and contributing to grant proposal preparation over the two-year program.

General Eligibility

All applicants must:

  • Be able to commit to the full two-year program.
  • Participate in required program meetings, workshops, and reporting activities.
  • Demonstrate interest in advancing externally funded research and scholarly visibility.
  • Be willing to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration across colleges and disciplines.

Mentor Application Materials

Submit the following through the program application form:

  • Statement of Interest (2–3 pages) outlining:
    • Current research or creative activities agenda and scholarly expertise
    • External funding history and proposal activity
    • Prior mentoring experience
    • Approach to mentoring and faculty development
    • Ideas for integrating mentees into ongoing or new research projects
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 5 pages) including:
    • Current and pending grant activity
    • Publications
    • Relevant scholarly and academic contributions

Mentee Application Materials

Submit the following through the program application form:

  • Statement of Interest (1–2 pages) outlining:
    • Research or creative activities agenda and long-term goals
    • Professional development goals
    • Specific areas where mentorship is needed
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 5 pages) including:
    • Current and pending grant activity
    • Publications
    • Relevant scholarly and academic contributions
  • Preliminary Research Development Plan (1–2 pages) outlining:
    • One or two research projects to advance through the program
    • Potential alignment with external funding opportunities

Application Review

Applications will be reviewed by an ORS committee. Selection will be based on eligibility, alignment with program goals, potential for growth, interdisciplinary fit, and overall program balance across colleges and disciplines.

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