Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants:

ELIGIBILITY

Q: Do I have to be an underrepresented minority to apply for this fellowship?

A: No. The program is open to all persons who meet the eligibility criteria without regard to race, gender, or ethnicity.

Q: Can I still be considered if I do not have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency?

A: Yes.  Successful applicants must present documents demonstrating that they are legally authorized to work in the United States without restrictions or limitations. The University will not sponsor H-1B visas for this fellowship. Please note that in compliance with federal law, all persons selected 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. Information regarding citizenship, gender, race and ethnicity is requested for statistical purposes only and will not be provided to the Selection Committee.

Q: I'm an assistant professor. Can I still apply?

A: No. The fellowship is designed to give new scholars an opportunity to become more competitive candidates for tenure-track faculty appointments. 

Q: I received my PhD or PharmD over 5 years ago. Am I still eligible to apply for this fellowship?

A: Yes. You are still eligible to apply if you are preparing for a career in university teaching and research. Please note that if you have served in postdoctoral fellowship appointments at any university for over five years or if it has been more than 5 years since you received your PhD or PharmD, you will be required to explain your reason for applying for this additional training at this stage in your career.

 Am I guaranteed a faculty position at the end of my fellowship?

A: No. While a faculty position cannot be guaranteed, it is expected that the College will have several positions over the next few years.

FINDING A MENTOR

Q: How do I find a faculty mentor?

A: Faculty who are interested in hosting a fellow are listed (here). We encourage you to reach out to faculty whose area of research is of interest to you.

Q: What are the expectations of the faculty mentors during the fellowship?

A: Please see the Faculty FAQ section.

Q: Can a faculty member serve as a mentor for more than one applicant?

A: Yes, faculty may serve as a mentor for more than one applicant for the College of Pharmacy Collegiate Fellowship Program.

Q: What should be covered in my faculty mentor's letter of support?

A: The faculty mentors will be asked to address the following in a letter of support:

• applicant's planned research;
• expected coursework, if any;
• extent to which the applicant will participate in departmental and campus academic activity (e.g., seminar programs);
• extent of applicant's anticipated participation at national/international research meetings;
• facilities and resources available to the fellow.

APPLICATION

Q: What materials are needed to submit an application?

A: You are required to submit the following materials:

• Dissertation abstract (PhD) or research program proposal (PharmD) of 1 page max.Research Proposal – 2-3 pages (not including references and citations).
• Personal statement and diversity commitment that includes your demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through scholarship/research, and/or teaching/mentoring, and/or service/engagement, (1-3 pages).
• Curriculum vitae.
• Writing sample - sample publication or unpublished paper, please limit to 35 pages (not including references and citations).
• Teaching statement that describes your teaching philosophy (1-3 pages).
• Three letters of reference (Letter writers must submit letters of reference by March 31, 2024)

Q: Should I send my graduate transcripts along with my online application?

A: No. The program does not require transcripts to be sent with the application. However, the program will request official graduate transcripts to confirm degree conferment if you are selected as a finalist. Final fellowship offers will not be extended  until official graduate transcripts are received.

Q: How will I know when my faculty mentor and reference letter(s) have been uploaded to my online application?

A: You will receive email confirmations from the online application system each time a letter is uploaded to your application. You can check on the status of your application, including the arrival of your mentor and reference letters, by using the username and password you created and returning to the application information page.

Q: What is the application deadline?

A: The deadline for submitting the online application is March 31st. 

Q: When will the final decisions be announced?

A: Finalists will be notified 6-8 weeks after the full application has been received. Please consider restraint when contacting the program office about the selection results. Successful candidates are notified first. Alternates are notified if awardees do not accept or if current fellows do not renew their terms. Additional fellowships are awarded to candidates on the alternate list through June, if resources become available. The program makes every effort to notify all candidates as soon as possible.

REVIEW AND SELECTION

Q: Who will review my application?

A: Applications will be reviewed by at least two faculty during the first round of review. If your file moves forward in the review process, it will be read and discussed by a panel of faculty, students and administrators.

Q: What criteria are considered by the selection committees when reviewing applications?

A: The review committee evaluates applicants according to their potential for success in an academic career with special consideration given to potential for contributions to the diversity and equal opportunity as described in our evaluation, selection and eligibility criteria.

Q: I'm unable to relocate because of family reasons. Can I still apply?

A: The program requires that you are in residence and establish a presence in your mentor's lab on campus.. 

FUNDING SUPPORT

Q: Is there additional funding for  space?

A: No. The College of Pharmacy provides a salary of $50-60,000 (split 80% College/20% faculty mentor), and $3,000 for professional development. The College of Pharmacy support also includes enrollment in a health plan for fellow and dependent(s), group life insurance, three weeks of sick leave, and one month (non-accrual) of vacation. It is required that departments and faculty mentors will make appropriate arrangements for space within their currently assigned space and other necessary resources, including research supplies

Faculty Mentors:

Q: Can a faculty member serve as a mentor for more than one applicant?

A: Yes, faculty may serve as a mentor for more than one applicant for the College of Pharmacy Collegiate Fellowship Program.

Q: What should be covered in the faculty mentor's letter of support?

A: Faculty mentors will be asked to address the following in a letter of support:

• applicant's planned research;expected coursework, if any;​
• extent to which the applicant will participate in departmental and campus academic activity (e.g., seminar programs);
• extent of applicant's anticipated participation at national/international research meetings 
• facilities and resources available to the fellow

APPLICATION

Q: How will the applicant know when the faculty mentor and reference letter(s) have been uploaded to the online application?

A: The applicant will receive email confirmations from the online application system each time a letter is uploaded to the application. The applicant can check on the status of their application, including the arrival of the mentor and reference letters, by using the username and password they created and returning to the application information page.

Q: What is the application deadline?

A: The deadline for submitting the online application is March 31st. 

FUNDING SUPPORT

Q: Does the support from the College of Pharmacy include space?

A: No. The College of Pharmacy provides a salary of $50-60,000 (split 80% College/20% faculty mentor), and $10,000 for research and professional development. The College of Pharmacy support also includes enrollment in a health plan for fellow and dependent(s), group life insurance, three weeks of sick leave, and one month (non-accrual) of vacation. It is required that departments and faculty mentors will make appropriate arrangements for space within their currently assigned space and other necessary resources, including research supplies.

Q: What are the expectations of UM host departments?

A: Host departments are encouraged to welcome the fellow into the department and make every effort to ensure that the fellow is included in communications about departmental colloquia, seminars and social events. Host departments are expected to provide the fellow with information about salary and benefits and administer the fellow's research and professional travel funds. Host departments are expected to provide the fellow with appropriate work space. In addition, College of Pharmacy Collegiate Fellows will be provided with opportunities for career development, including consideration for a faculty position at the University of Michigan.