Who Is Eligible

The Early Career Faculty Development Grant supports probationary and other eligible non-tenured faculty at Sacramento State.

Priority consideration is given to:

• ABD faculty completing dissertation work
• Non-tenured assistant professors
• Other non-tenured faculty

Before applying: Faculty should discuss their proposed project and intention to apply with their department chair before submitting an application.

What Can the Grant Support

The Early Career Faculty Development Grant provides faculty with time and resources to move a defined project forward during the Spring semester.

Projects may include:

Research & Scholarship

Advance a research project, scholarly manuscript, data collection or analysis, or other discipline-specific scholarly work.

Creative Activity

Develop creative work, performances, exhibitions, digital projects, or other forms of faculty creative activity.

Teaching & Pedagogy

Develop or enhance curriculum, courses, teaching practices, instructional resources, or other projects designed to strengthen student learning.

Professional Development

Pursue focused professional development directly connected to the proposed project and the faculty member's expertise.

Application Requirements

A complete application should provide reviewers with a clear understanding of the proposed project, its significance, and what the faculty member intends to accomplish during the grant period.

Applicants will be asked to provide:

Project Overview

Provide an overview and background of your proposed project and describe the activity you plan to complete.

Objectives

Identify the primary objectives of the project and explain how the work relates to your area of expertise.

Project Impact

Describe how the proposed project will benefit:

• Sacramento State students
• Your professional development
• Sacramento State

Project Timeline

Provide a realistic timeline for completing the proposed activities during the Spring semester.

Proposed Budget

Explain how you would use the $500 in professional development funds to support the project.

How to Apply

Step 1: Develop Your Project

Identify a focused project that can meaningfully advance during the Spring grant period.

Consider the outcomes you hope to achieve, the activities required to complete the work, and how the project contributes to your professional development, benefits students, and supports the University.

Step 2: Discuss Your Project With Your Department Chair

Discuss your proposed project and intention to apply with your department chair before submitting your application.

This conversation provides an opportunity to discuss your project plans, Spring release time, and your request for a letter of support.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application

Prepare the required application materials, including:

• A brief activity plan
• An overview and background of the proposed project
• Project objectives and relationship to your expertise
• Anticipated benefits to students, your professional development, and Sacramento State
• A project timeline
• A budget describing the proposed use of the $500 professional development funds
• A letter of support from your department chair

Step 4: Obtain a Letter of Support From Your Department Chair

Applicants must include a letter of support from their department chair as part of their application.

The letter should demonstrate the chair's support for the proposed project and acknowledge the three units of Spring release time associated with the award.

The letter of support must be included with the application at the time of submission.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete the Early Career Faculty Development Grant application through Qualtrics and submit all required materials by the application deadline.

Download the Project Proposal Template (must submit with application)

Apply for the Early Career Faculty Development Grant

2026–27 Application Deadline: October 30, 2026

Step 6: Committee Review

Complete applications will be reviewed by the designated review committee. Applications will be considered based on the program's eligibility, priorities, application requirements, and available funding.

Step 7: Award Notification

Award decisions will be communicated in November to provide sufficient time for faculty, departments, and colleges to plan for Spring release time.

Selected recipients will receive three units of Spring release time and $500 in professional development support to complete their approved project.

Share Your Work

Early Career Faculty Symposium

Scholarship has greater impact when it is shared.

Early Career Faculty Development Grant recipients will participate in the Fall 2027 Early Career Faculty Symposium, where they will present the work supported by their grant and engage with faculty colleagues and the broader Sacramento State community.

The symposium will provide recipients with an opportunity to:

• Share project findings, outcomes, or works in progress
• Discuss their scholarly, creative, or pedagogical work
• Exchange ideas with colleagues across disciplines
• Highlight connections between faculty development, scholarship, teaching, and student success
• Build connections with other early-career faculty across the University

Fall 2027 Symposium
Anticipated: Early November 2027
Additional details will be announced.

Participation in the Fall 2027 Faculty Symposium is a required component of the Early Career Faculty Development Grant.

After the Grant

Award recipients are expected to complete their approved project and document the work accomplished during the grant period.

Recipients will:

1. Complete the approved project during the Spring semester.
2. Present their work at the Spring Early Career Faculty Symposium.
3. Submit a final project report.
4. Submit a one-page project poster in PDF format.
5. Provide a copy of the final report to their department chair and college dean.

Final reports and posters are submitted to the Graduate Excellence & Engagement Program at geep@csus.edu.

Selected project materials may also be featured on the Graduate Excellence & Engagement Program website to highlight the work of Sacramento State faculty. The existing program already publishes recipients' reports and posters online.

Previous Projects

Explore Previous Projects

Ready to Apply

Move Your Project Forward

The Early Career Faculty Development Grant provides dedicated time and professional development support to advance your scholarly, creative, or pedagogical work.

Your Next Steps

1. Review the eligibility and program requirements.
2. Develop your proposed project and objectives.
3. Discuss your intention to apply with your department chair.
4. Prepare your project timeline and $500 budget.
5. Submit your application through Qualtrics by the deadline.
6. If selected, plan to participate in the Fall 2027 Early Career Faculty Symposium.

Download the Project Proposal Template (must submit with application)

Apply for the Early Career Faculty Development Grant

2026–27 Application Deadline: October 30, 2026

Questions?

Graduate Excellence & Engagement Program
River Front Center, Room 215
geep@csus.edu
(916) 278-4397