The Ambrose Amos Shaw Endowed Chair Program

The aim of the AAS Endowed Chair program is to support applied research, creative or scholarship activities that enhance opportunities for student engagement and collaboration in research. Recipients will be selected by the College Tenure Evaluation Committee in each college and will be recommended by the Dean with final approval from the Provost. 

Up to eight endowed chairs will be appointed each year with a total funding of $7,000 per recipient (one from each college). Awards are most often made for individual applicants; however, awards may be approved for other faculty and students as co-investigators. Projects that require equipment and supplies should come with a statement of funding support from the college dean.

Priority will be given to high quality proposals that involve applied research ideas that span disciplines, and provide opportunities for significant engagement and collaboration with students. Consideration will only be given to faculty who have a demonstrated track record of high quality teaching and research at Weber State University.

Projects need not be completed in one year but should demonstrate significant progress. Recipients will be recognized and required to present along with students at the annual Faculty Symposium in March.

Projects which involve professional development, course enhancement or other curriculum development activities will not be considered. There are other sources of funding for these activities.

A faculty member must be returning to Weber State University for the following academic year to be eligible to receive a Faculty Fellowship. A person is not eligible to apply for a Faculty Fellowship and sabbatical leave during the same academic year. Any additional funding currently received by the faculty member (internal or external) should be disclosed in the application.

Proposals must not exceed 1500 words and include the following:

• Section 1. Project Description
  Describe the project goals and provide the research context as well as the process of engagement with students.
   
• Section 2. Project Significance
  How does the project address the goals of the Endowed Chair program and how does it advance the body of knowledge in your discipline and/or address social, cultural, economic and environmental challenges facing our communities?  Why should the university give this proposal significant consideration?
   
• Section 3. Methodology and Timeline
  Please detail the methodology, the timeline, role and participation of student(s) in your description. Include your preliminary, past research or evidence from the discipline or field that supports the need for this proposal. Describe the facilities, supplies and any equipment that will be needed for the research and attach a statement of support from the dean.
   
• Section 4.  Expected Deliverables
  Describe the specific outcomes that will result from the research. Also, include how these results will be disseminated internally or externally.
   
• Section 5.  Budget and Disclosures
  Faculty must indicate whether the grant is for a stipend, expenses, course release, student and other support.  Course releases should have the approval of the department chair (Note: Benefits for stipends at 22% and course release at 15% need to be covered by the award).  Additionally, all other sources of current funding or pending grant requests should be disclosed.

Proposals are due to the College Tenure Evaluation Committee by March 29, 2024, with the announcement of recipients by the end of April.