Center for Research Excellence

Applications Open Faculty Director, Nationally Competitive Awards

Faculty Director, Nationally Competitive Awards

Eligibility: Full-time Faculty (TT and NTT)

Term: 3-year appointment, starting in January 2027

Compensation: $2,500 summer stipend + one 3-credit course release each semester

Reports To: Director, Center for Research Excellence

Deadline: September 14, 2026

Position Summary

The Center for Research Excellence invites applications for the Faculty Director for Nationally Competitive Awards, a leadership role responsible for advancing the University’s success in obtaining prestigious national and international fellowships, scholarships, and awards, for both students and faculty.

Nationally Competitive Awards are funded by government agencies, private foundations, and institutions to support individuals in their studies, research, and careers. The Faculty Director will oversee two parallel portfolios:

  • Student Awards – prestigious fellowships and scholarships supporting undergraduate, graduate, and recent-alumni research, study, and service. Examples include Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, and Truman awards.
  • Faculty Awards – nationally and internationally competitive fellowships and grants that support faculty research, teaching abroad, and scholarly recognition. Examples include Fulbright, Guggenheim, ACLS, NEH, NSF, and Mellon fellowships.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

  • Identifying and promoting student and faculty opportunities to Xavier students, recent alumni, and faculty
  • Building student pipelines for competitive annual submissions to key student awards programs
  • Mentoring students through application processes, including providing feedback on applications and mock interviews
  • Advising faculty applicants on proposal development
  • Administering the processes for student and faculty awards that require centralized University nominations or institutional endorsement
  • Chairing a faculty advisory group to identify students, mentor applicants, and review applications for centralized nominations
  • Hosting information sessions and responding to inquiries about student and faculty awards programs
  • Representing the University in national fellowship networks (e.g., NAFA – National Association of Fellowships Advisors)

Qualifications

  • Terminal degree required
  • Strong record in scholarship, preferably including experience with competitive external awards (student or faculty)
  • Demonstrated engagement with peer review (serving on editorial boards, prize committees, etc.)
  • Demonstrated student mentorship
  • Strong writing and editing skills preferred

Application Process

Full-time faculty from all disciplines are eligible to apply. Applicants must submit proposals following the format outlined below. The Director for the Center of Research Excellence will have the final voice in the selection process.

Statement of Qualification and Interest (no more than 1 page): Please describe your qualifications and interest in the Faculty Director for Nationally Competitive Awards position. In your response, address the following:

  • Scholarship and Awards Experience: Describe your scholarly expertise, including any experience with competitive external fellowships or awards (as an applicant, mentor, or reviewer).
  • Mentorship Experience: Describe your experience mentoring undergraduate research or writing.
  • Advocacy: Explain your philosophy on the value of increasing Xavier’s success in obtaining nationally competitive awards for both students and faculty.

Statement of Goals (no more than 1 page): Please describe your vision for the Nationally Competitive Awards program at Xavier. What do you see as potential opportunities to enhance current programming or establish new directions? In your response, address the following:

  • Pipeline Building: Strategies for building a pipeline of students who are interested in and competitive for nationally competitive awards.
  • Opportunity Promotion: Strategies for identifying appropriate student and faculty awards and promoting these to students, recent alumni, and faculty.
  • Mentorship: Strategies for providing constructive feedback to encourage and develop competitive applications.

The following must be sent as one file to cre@xavier.edu by September 14, 2026:

  • Name, title and department
  • Statement of Qualification and Interest (no more than 1 page)
  • Statement of Goals (no more than 1 page)
  • Abbreviated curriculum vitae

A supporting letter from the Department Chair can be sent with the application or as a separate e-mail. Support letters should attest to the candidate’s qualifications and the department’s ability to accommodate the needed release time.

Applicants should carbon copy their Department Chair and Dean on this application.

The appointment will be announced by the middle of the fall 2026 semester.

For questions about the position or application process, contact Scott Breloff (breloffs@xavier.edu) or Amy Whipple (whipplea@xavier.edu).