Call for applications
Call release date: Dec. 6, 2023
Applications are due by noon on January 16, 2024
About: The Institute for Diversity Science will fund two visiting junior scholars for the academic year 2024–2025. The goal of the Visiting Junior Scholars Program is to bring promising junior faculty or post-docs to the UW–Madison campus. The typical length of stay for visiting scholars will be one academic year (9–12 months).
Eligibility: The visiting scholar needs to be able to collaborate on a project with an IDS affiliate, and the affiliate will need to submit the application on behalf of the visiting scholar (i.e., the IDS affiliate is the “PI”). Each affiliate can submit at most one application. Key criteria for selection are: (a) past accomplishments and likely trajectory of the visiting scholar (do they have the potential to become a leader in their field?) (b) importance of the proposed collaborative research (and the extent to which the research qualifies as diversity science), and (c) the extent to which the visiting scholar will help IDS work toward its mission and goals. Junior visiting scholars must have obtained (or plan to obtain) their Ph.D. no earlier than 2015.
Funding: Like UW–Madison, many universities across the country offer their faculty the choice between a one-semester sabbatical (with 100% of the salary) and a two-semester sabbatical (with a reduced salary). For junior faculty the Junior Visiting Scholars Program will cover (a) the difference between the reduced and the full salary, (b) moving costs ($10k), and (c) research funding ($20k). For post-docs the Junior Visiting Scholars Program will cover (a) the 12-month salary, (b) moving costs ($10k), and (c) research funding ($20k).
There are no restrictions on how the research funding ($20k) is spent, except it cannot be used for teaching buy-out for UW–Madison faculty, cannot be used to fund graduate students and (other) postdocs at UW–Madison, and cannot be used for any salary other than for paying student hourlies.
The difference between the full and the reduced salary is capped at $45k. It can only be used for junior faculty who are on sabbatical leave from their home institution. The 12-month salary for a post-doc is capped at $70k (which corresponds to a maximum stipend of $53,377 plus 22% fringe). IDS affiliates can offer a higher salary but the additional costs would have to be covered by the $20k research funding.
The visiting scholar is expected to establish residency in the Madison area and to spend the majority of their time at UW–Madison. They will be provided an office at the Institute for Diversity Science (700 Regent St.). The visiting scholar is further expected to actively participate in the scientific activities and social events of the IDS.
IDS will inform applicants of the funding decision by the end of January 2024. The awarded funds must be spent between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
Goals: The IDS Visiting Scholars Program aims to support innovative collaborations in the field of diversity science. The proposed research can be fundamental or applied, and it can advance knowledge on diversity, equity, and inclusion over the short or long term.
In the online form applicants will be asked to explain how their proposed research is related to diversity science. What is Diversity Science?
Please be aware that diversity science examines the barriers of numerous groups in our society. These groups are defined by dimensions such as gender identity, ethnic/racial identity, religious identity, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, age, socio-economic status, being a first-generation college student or not, being from a rural vs. urban background, political affiliation, weight, appearance, and physical and mental health. In case of a tie, preference will be given to projects on groups that have historically been the target of the most severe discrimination and for which the greatest disparities exist in the United States.
Length of Stay: As mentioned above, the typical length of stay for visiting scholars will be one academic year. However, since many junior scholars do not qualify for sabbatical leave pre tenure, but can at best hope for one “research semester” with no teaching obligations, exceptions are possible. Please contact Markus Brauer, IDS Executive Director, to discuss exceptions. Priority will be given to junior scholars who will spend the entire academic year in Madison.
Application Deadline: January 16, 2024, at noon. Click the button to apply. You will be asked to provide the information listed below.
If you prefer to work on your answers in a Word document before entering them into the online form, you can download the questions here.