The University of Iowa has created a new award to recognize and retain outstanding tenured faculty.

The Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Award will provide funding to assist top, mid-career faculty across academic disciplines. The awards will target tenured associate professors, generally within five years after receiving tenure, who have an established national and/or international reputation in their discipline and are exceptional teachers in and outside the classroom. Up to four awards will be made each year, and each recipient will be given $25,000 per year for three years to support their scholarly activities.

“This program will help the University of Iowa retain top faculty at a critical time when they are most likely to be recruited away to other institutions,” says Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Kregel. “We want these faculty to recognize that Iowa is a stimulating and supportive place to build the next phase of their careers.”

In addition, each scholar will work with mentors to create a development program to identify and support future growth opportunities, including leadership training, grant writing, and support for interdisciplinary collaborations. An annual symposium will allow the scholars to showcase their work to the university community.

Nominations will be accepted from college deans and department executive officers early in the spring 2022 semester. Awardees will be announced before the end of the semester, with a July 1 or fall 2022 semester start date.