Tenure-Track Faculty Writing Award

The Center for RIDGS (Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender, and Sexuality) Studies is offering a limited number of awards, in the form of one-semester course buyouts, to junior faculty members working in RIDGS areas who are near completion of a book or other manuscript. We prioritize faculty in RIDGS departments/units. 

This award is intended to provide the crucial time required to focus on and complete a major writing project. We encourage applications from junior faculty members in their third, fourth or fifth year of the tenure track. The Tenure-Track Faculty Writing Award is made possible through the generous support of the Ruby Pernell Fund.

Guidelines and Review Process

• The course buyout will need to be used in spring 2025.
• A committee of faculty from RIDGS departments and programs will review applications and determine awards based on eligibility, merit, and demonstrated need. Selected applicants will be informed by May 10.
• Factors involved in determining award recipients include:
  • Relevance and proximity of the work to RIDGS fields
  • Demonstrated need of the award and quality of work plan
  • Importance of the project to receiving tenure or other retention-related considerations

Application Requirements

1. Download and fill out the RIDGS Ruby Pernell Tenure-Track Faculty Writing Award Application Form (PDF), including an endorsement from your department chair.

2. Prepare a 1–2 page description of your project.

3. Prepare a 1–2 page work plan describing how you would use the awarded time to complete your project.

1. 4. Please combine all of these documents into one PDF document. Email that PDF to ridgs@umn.edu by noon on Monday, April 29.