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Udall Center Fellows Program

Eligibility | Topics | Application Procedures | FAQS |

The Udall Center Fellows program allows faculty members and researchers at The University of Arizona (UA), with release from their teaching and other major responsibilities, to engage in research on any topic related to public policy.

Since 1990, the Udall Center has hosted 116 Fellows from 36 departments and centers across ten colleges at the UA.

The aim of the program is to (1) encourage and enhance public-policy scholarship at the UA, (2) establish and maintain a network of policy scholars, and (3) increase interdisciplinary public-policy research opportunities.

Fellowships are for one semester.

Each spring (usually in February or March) the Center issues a call for applications. Applications are reviewed by a panel drawn from former Fellows; typically two to four Fellows are selected for each academic year.

The salaries of successful applicants will be covered by release-time, sabbaticals, or other funds provided by the home colleges, departments, or research centers.

The College of Social and Behavior Science (SBS) and the Institute for the Environment have provided small stipends to departments to assist with the release costs for Fellows affiliated with those two units.

The success of this established program can be measured by the consistently high degree of interest shown by faculty members, the rich disciplinary diversity of Fellows, the extensive record of research publications produced by Fellows, and an established and active network of policy scholars at the UA and elsewhere.

ELIGIBILITY

For faculty members at The University of Arizona (UA)?

The Udall Center Fellows Program is restricted to faculty members at The University of Arizona.

Full-time or part-time?

Since a department head or director must approve a priori an applicant's request for leave from teaching or other responsibilities (should the applicant be chosen as a fellow), the decision whether to support the application of a part-time faculty member will be up to the head or director. In some instances, nominal stipends are awarded to a fellow's unit to help defray part, but not all, of the costs related to the fellow's leave – meaning that the unit has to absorb the remainder of the expense. Thus, units might grant priority to full-time faculty over part-time faculty, but that's a decision made by the head or director.

Tenure or continuing track?

Generally speaking, only faculty members with tenure, continuing, tenure-track, or continuing-eligible appointments have been successful applicants.

Any UA academic department or research center?

Since the program was initiated in 1990, 116 UA faculty members have been selected as fellows, representing 36 departments or centers across the UA.

However, since fellowship funding currently is supported regularly only by the College of Social and Behavior Science (SBS) and the Institute for the Environment, applicants not employed or affiliated with those units would need to secure another source of funding for the release costs to the department or center (such as through a grant, sabbatical-leave support, or funds from a college or outside entity).

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Any topic related to public policy?

Applicants may propose to work on research related to any topic concerning public policy.

Research conducted by previous fellows has been wide ranging but tends to cluster into the following areas: (a) environment and natural resources;(b) women, minorities, and indigenous peoples; (c) health and human development; (d) theory of democracy and institutions; (f) conflict resolution and decisionmaking; (g) economic development; and, (h) science, technology, and society.

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Each applicant should submit: (1) a brief statement describing general policy research interests; (2) plans for a specific project to be undertaken as a Udall Center Fellow (up to five pages); (3) a plan identifying any specific proposals already submitted or to be submitted for external support for the project; (4) a curriculum vitae; (5) a letter of support from the department head, center director, or dean; and (6) a letter of reference.

Applicants need to specify the semester for which they are applying (fall, spring, or no preference). Faculty members interested in science and policy or those associated with the Institute for the Environment should consult the guidelines for the IE-Udall Center Fellows.

Packets should be submitted to the Udall Center at 803 East First Street (corner of E. First St. and N. Euclid Ave.) The deadline is specified in the call for applications (typically mid-to-late March).

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SOME APPLICATION FAQs

Q1: In regard to the letter of reference not written by my dean or department head, should this letter specifically speak about the research project, or more broadly about my research capabilities?

A1: This letter should speak to both your research project and your research capabilities.

Q2: May I reapply if I have already been a Udall Fellow in the past? Is there a minimum amount of time I need to wait before reapplying?

A2: You are free to reapply at any time, and we have had several repeat fellows. In the past, however, our selection committees (composed of former fellows) have tended—other things equal—to favor first-time applicants. They also will consider, among other criteria, the extent to which your proposed project departs from your previous project.

Q3: Is there a preference among new research, continuation of ongoing research, preparation of a textbook, or development of curricular materials?

A3: In general, the Udall Center prefers to encourage new policy-related research.  In the case of scholars in the physical or biological sciences (i.e., those falling within the Institute for the Environment component of the program), innovative curriculum development projects may be acceptable.

For more information, contact Kim Harlow at kharlow@u.arizona.edu or 520-626-4593.

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