Faculty and Staff

New professional development program launched for non-tenure-line faculty

Applications for the Opportunity Grant Professional Program pilot program are due Oct. 6. Credit: Michael Owen / Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State is piloting a new professional development program for non-tenure-line teaching, clinical and professors of practice faculty, providing funding for professional development through a self-proposed development project. 

Non-tenure-line clinical and teaching faculty with instructional duties can now apply to the Opportunity Grant Professional Development Program. Applications are due Oct. 6 for the pilot-program funding available for the spring 2025 semester. Another application window will open in November for 2025-26 academic year projects. 

“We’re excited to pilot this program to help our talented clinical and teaching faculty members to grow professionally and further enhance their capacity to provide high-quality instruction to our students,” said Kathy Bieschke, senior vice provost. 

To be eligible, faculty must have reached second rank or higher, have taught full-time at Penn State for five years or more, have a reasonable expectation for reappointment for the academic year in which the project will be funded, and the support of their academic unit head. 

Course buyouts will not be available during the pilot phase of the program in spring 2025 but will be available for projects in academic year 2025-2026. Those who receive funding during the spring 2025 pilot semester will not have to wait five years before reapplying. The five-year waiting period will begin for those who receive funding in fall 2025 and beyond. 

Examples of the types of professional development opportunities supported include: 

  • Adoption of new pedagogies. 
  • Development of new materials, modules, technology, assessment, courses or programs. 
  • Utilizing tools and interventions for improving student success. 
  • Pedagogical research design/study as applicable to teaching. 
  • Acquiring skills in advancing technology.
  • Refining clinical skills. 
  • Obtaining professional certifications.
  • Other professional development work related to their teaching or clinical duties. 

Selected recipients for the spring 2025 pilot will be announced in November. 

The Opportunity Grant Professional Development Program is supported financially by the Office of the President. 

Future funding and application cycles 

Applications for the second round of the Opportunity Grant Professional Development Program will open again in November. A committee will review applications in December, and successful applicants will be notified in January about the funding of their projects, including any course buyouts, for the following academic year. This schedule will continue in subsequent years. 

The Opportunity Grant Professional Program is administered by the Penn State Office of Faculty Affairs

Last Updated September 12, 2024