Faculty External Fellowships Program

Overview

The Faculty External Fellowships Program is aimed at helping faculty increase their competitiveness when applying for external, project-based fellowships. Participants will learn how to best position themselves to pursue a fellowship to support their research, scholarship, or creative endeavors.

An external, project-based fellowship is a competitive award funded by an organization outside the university that supports an individual to carry out a defined research, scholarly, or creative project.

Examples of External Fellowships:

Note: The fellowships listed below are examples that would align with the content covered in this program; faculty are welcome to explore other opportunities beyond this list. For guidance or questions, please contact Katie Romey, External Recognition and Awards Coordinator.

Format

The four-session program will consist of a combination of instruction and interactive workshops. These activities are designed to help participants be strategic in applying for external fellowships. Program sessions will be taught by R&I staff.

Program Outcomes

Participants will:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of the external fellowships application process,
2. Develop an external fellowship application draft, and
3. Navigate the essential steps toward submission of an external fellowship application.

Eligibility

Applications are welcome from full-time UNL faculty who are in the early stages of developing an external fellowship application. Those who participate in the Faculty External Fellowships Program may not re-apply in subsequent years.

2026 Schedule

Participants are expected to attend all program activities, which consist of four sessions running from January – March 2026.

Date	Time	Location*
Tuesday, January 20, 2026	3:00 – 4:30 p.m.	Whittier 152
Tuesday, February 3, 2026	3:00 – 4:30 p.m.	Whittier 152
Tuesday, February 17, 2026	3:00 – 4:30 p.m.	Whittier 152
Tuesday, March 3, 2026	3:00 – 4:30 p.m.	Whittier 152

*In the event classes are to follow instructional continuity plans, the session will take place virtually.

Application Materials

1. A document (no more than two pages, 11-pt font, one-inch margins on all sides) containing:

• The name of the external fellowship you are interested in pursuing. (If you have questions about the specific fellowship you are targeting or if you are undecided, please reach out to Katie Romey, External Recognition and Awards Coordinator, to schedule a consultation to discuss).
• A summary of the vision for the proposed research, scholarship, or creative activity you will pursue as part of the external fellowship.
• What you hope to gain from your experience in the Faculty External Fellowships Program.
• How this experience will benefit your career, department, and/or the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

2. Your full curriculum vitae or resume.

Please upload these materials as a single PDF in the application portal (see Application Deadline below).

Selection Criteria

There will be up to 12 participants in the cohort. The selection committee will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

• The applicant’s ability to clearly summarize a vision for their research, scholarship, or creative activity for which they would like to seek an external fellowship.
• The applicant’s ability to articulate relevant and feasible goals for participating in the Faculty External Fellowships Program.
• The readiness of the applicant for the Faculty External Fellowships Program. Relevant factors may include prior work experience, demonstrations of proof-of-concept, existing work products (e.g., publications), etc.

Application Deadline

Applications to participate in the Faculty External Fellowships Program must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. CST on December 17, 2025.

Applicant Notification

The applicant notification process will be completed in early January 2026.

Questions?

For more information, contact Heather Borck, Research Development Program Coordinator | 402-472-4090.