Applicant FAQs
Traditional LSA Collegiate Fellowship
The following addresses some of the more commonly asked questions about the LSA Collegiate Fellowship Program. If you have a question about the program that is not adequately answered by the FAQs, please email your inquiry to lsacollegiate@umich.edu.
Eligibility
Do I have to be a member of an underrepresented group to apply for this fellowship?
No. The program is open to all persons who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, or other identity characteristics.
What academic disciplines are allowable for applicants?
Academic departments and units eligible for the LSA Collegiate Fellowship Program are listed on the main program page under “eligibility.”
If I have applied for another fellowship or faculty position at the University of Michigan, can I still apply?
The University of Michigan has numerous postdoctoral fellowship programs and open faculty positions. If you have applied to another program or position, you may still apply to the LSA Collegiate Fellowship Program, but you must disclose this on the application.
Can I still be considered if I do not have US citizenship or permanent residency?
Yes, provided that you can demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired 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.
I'm an assistant professor. Can I still apply?
The fellowship is designed to give new scholars an opportunity to further their professional development prior to starting tenure-track faculty appointments at the University of Michigan. It is not a fellowship program for individuals already on the tenure track to take time out for research with the intention of staying at their current institution. Candidates with tenure-track appointments are not favored in the selection process, unless there is a clear explanation of how an award to the candidate would further the goals of the program.
I received my PhD over five years ago. Am I still eligible to apply for this fellowship?
Generally, no. We do, however, have different eligibility windows for different disciplines:
For applicants in the natural sciences, doctoral degrees should be completed between January 1, 2019 and July 1, 2024 (6-year window).
For applicants in the social sciences and humanities, doctoral degrees should be completed between January 1, 2021 and July 1, 2024 (4-year window). Within the social sciences, applicants for predoctoral fellowships in the fields of economics and political science must complete their doctoral degree by July 1, 2024.
For applicants in the natural sciences, doctoral degrees should be completed between January 1, 2019 and July 1, 2024 (6-year window).
For applicants in the social sciences and humanities, doctoral degrees should be completed between January 1, 2021 and July 1, 2024 (4-year window). Within the social sciences, applicants for predoctoral fellowships in the fields of economics and political science must complete their doctoral degree by July 1, 2024.
I will finish my doctorate after July 1 of next year. Am I still eligible to apply this fall?
Only applicants in the fields of Economics and Political Science may be considered for a predoctoral fellowship, and must complete their doctoral degree by July 1, 2025.
Finding a Mentor
Do I need to find a faculty mentor?
All successful candidates will receive career advising from a mentor during their fellowship. Mentors will be assigned by the home department; however, if you would like to identify someone on the faculty in an LSA department whom you might like to have serve as your mentor, you will be able to provide their names in the application.
Application
Should my materials be single-spaced or double-spaced?
Most applications are single-spaced (or between 1.0 and 1.5) with breaks between paragraphs; we need enough information about you to make a decision, but also need to be able to read your submission easily. Please ensure that your formatting makes it easy for reviewers to read.
Are there sample applications available for review?
No, though we do provide guidance on writing research, diversity, and teaching statements that include your demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage you to read our guidelines on these statements. There are many variations on successful applications. Applicants are encouraged to consult with their academic advisors or mentors about how to submit a competitive application. You may wish to look at the profiles of our current Fellows to get an idea of the varied scholarly disciplines and diversity commitments that this fellowship supports; note that this is not meant to be restrictive, but to underscore the breadth of the fellowship.
Should I send my graduate transcripts along with my online application?
No. The program does not require transcripts to be sent with the application. However, the program will request official graduate transcripts if you are selected as a finalist and will not offer you a fellowship unless official graduate transcripts are received and deemed satisfactory.
When will the final decisions be announced?
Finalists will be invited to the University of Michigan campus in January or February. When invited, expectations for that visit will be communicated. Offers will be made by March 2024.
Can I apply for a joint appointment in two LSA departments?
During the fellowship period, fellows will hold a position in only one department; however, tenure-track offers may include a joint appointment provided one department is hiring a collegiate fellow (see list here).
Senior LSA Collegiate Fellowship
The following addresses some of the more commonly asked questions about the LSA Senior Collegiate Fellowship Program. If you have a question about the program that is not adequately answered by the FAQs, please email your inquiry to lsacollegiate@umich.edu.
Eligibility
Do I have to be a member of an underrepresented group to apply for this fellowship?
No. The program is open to all persons who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, or other identity characteristics.
What academic disciplines are allowable for applicants?
Academic departments and units eligible for the LSA Collegiate Fellowship Program are listed on the main program page under “eligibility.”
If I have applied for another faculty position at the University of Michigan, can I still apply?
If you have applied to another faculty position at the University of Michigan, you may still apply to the LSA Senior Collegiate Fellowship Program, but you must disclose this on the application.
Can I still be considered if I do not have US citizenship or permanent residency?
Yes, provided that you can demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired 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.
I am going up for tenure this year. Can I apply?
Yes, you may apply to the program in the year you are going up for tenure at your current institution. As the goal of the program is to hire new associate professors, prior to receiving an offer, candidates will undergo promotion and tenure review at the University of Michigan, following LSA’s typical process for tenured hires.
I'm an assistant professor. Can I still apply?
The Senior Collegiate Fellowship Program is intended for scholars early in the associate professor rank. Assistant professors may apply to the Senior Collegiate Fellowship Program if they feel they are ready for tenure and promotion to associate professor at the University of Michigan.
What do you mean by “early in associate rank”?
We expect most applicants for the Senior Collegiate Fellowship program to apply in the year they are going up for tenure and promotion at their current institution, or within their first 2-3 years at the associate rank for natural science or social science applicants and within their first four years at associate rank for humanities applicants.
If I am hired through this program, I am required to take part in DEI Leadership Training. Does that mean I am expected to take on a formal leadership role?
The LSA LEAD Leadership Training program is designed to create a cohort of mid-career scholars engaged in DEI, and provide them with a network and tools to increase the impact of the DEI work they are already doing in their service roles. There is no expectation that Senior Collegiate Fellows take on formal leadership roles at any time in their career, although we would certainly support Fellows who desire a leadership pathway.
Application
Should my materials be single-spaced or double-spaced?
Most applications are single-spaced (or between 1.0 and 1.5) with breaks between paragraphs; we need enough information about you to make a decision, but also need to be able to read your submission easily. Please ensure that your formatting makes it easy for reviewers to read.
Are there sample applications available for review?
No, though we do provide guidance on writing research, diversity, and teaching statements that include your demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage you to read our guidelines on these statements. There are many variations on successful applications. Applicants are encouraged to consult with their academic advisors or mentors about how to submit a competitive application. You may wish to look at the profiles of our current Fellows to get an idea of the varied scholarly disciplines and diversity commitments that this fellowship supports; note that this is not meant to be restrictive, but to underscore the breadth of the fellowship.
When will the final decisions be announced?
Finalists will be invited to the University of Michigan campus in January or February. When invited, expectations for that visit and the timeline for the process going forward will be communicated.
Can I apply for a joint appointment in two LSA departments?
Yes, provided that one of the departments is hiring a collegiate fellow in this application cycle. Please see the list here.