News and Information for Ohio State Faculty
FACULTY AFFAIRS
December 2025
AI Fluency Forum brings Ohio State community together to brainstorm, solve problems
The AI Fluency Forum brought together Ohio State faculty, graduate teaching associates, postdoctoral researchers and staff at the Ohio Union. Throughout the event, faculty and staff made presentations and participated in panel discussions on teaching AI and its field applications, utilizing AI to enhance or optimize teaching and learning, and applying AI in research.
Nominations open for Provost’s Midcareer Scholars: Scarlet and Gray Associate Professor Program
A new cycle is open and nominations are being accepted for the Provost's Midcareer Scholars: Scarlet and Gray Associate Professor Program. It supports tenure-track faculty who have recently been appointed to the rank of associate professor and is designed to acknowledge and reward scholarly, teaching and service excellence. Nominations due Jan. 16, 2026.
Learn More and Submit a Nomination
Distinguished University Professor nomination deadline Jan. 30
Distinguished University Professor award nominations are due Jan. 30, 2026. The Office of Academic Affairs awards the permanent, honorific title of Distinguished University Professor on a competitive basis to full tenure-track professors who have truly exceptional records in teaching, research, scholarly or creative work and service.
Learn How to Submit a Nomination
Faculty Affairs Leadership Podcast: Sandhya Shanker
This episode explores the concept of intercultural citizenship and why it offers a more meaningful framework than “global citizenship” in higher education. Sandhya Shanker, education program senior specialist at the Center for Languages, Literacies and Cultures, defines the term and explains its importance for students, faculty and institutional leaders.
Start smart on digital accessibility: Title II resources available now!
Title II digital accessibility regulations will be enforced starting April 24, 2026, requiring all university digital content — including course materials — to meet accessibility standards. This is a shared responsibility, and designing accessible course materials is key to ensuring every student can fully engage and succeed.
Title II and You
Register for The Faculty Network Winter Social
You're invited to The Faculty Network's Winter Social at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Palm House) on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 5-6:30 p.m. Attendees will receive complimentary admission to the conservatory, including access to the Conservatory Aglow exhibit where you can step into a holiday wonderland as the gardens and interior biomes come alive with dazzling lights and captivating experiences. RSVP for you and a guest by Dec. 11.
Opportunities
Faculty Pathways 2025-26 programming
Starting out as a faculty member can be challenging, but our Faculty Pathways program is designed specifically for new and early career faculty at Ohio State to provide essential resources and development opportunities.
This program offers practical workshops and learning experiences to help you build skills in teaching, research and service. It’s also a chance to connect with other faculty members who are navigating similar stages of their academic careers. The next sessions are:
Limited Submission Opportunities
The Office of Foundation Relations manages the limited submission process for private foundation opportunities, which are listed on the Research Funding and Awards site.
Open and Upcoming Opportunities:
- Science and Engineering and Medical Research Programs (Keck Foundation 2026 Spring Cycle)
Internal deadline: Dec. 10; Pre-application counseling period: Jan. 1-Feb. 15, 2026; Phase I application due date: May 1, 2026 - Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering (David and Lucille Packard Foundation)
Anticipated posting date: Dec. 16; Anticipated internal deadline: Jan. 19; Funder deadline: February 2026; Full proposal due: April 2026
Apply Now: University Outreach and Engagement Awards
Ohio State is seeking nominations for the 2026 University Outreach and Engagement Awards, which honor faculty, staff and students for outstanding achievement in producing engaged scholarship and community impact. Awards will be given in three categories: Community Engaged Scholar, Community Engaged Practitioner (for staff) and Community Engaged Graduate Student. Apply by Dec. 19.
Call for Proposals: Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship
To support and promote high-impact engaged scholarship, the Office of Outreach and Engagement certifies programs of excellence in engaged scholarship. The certification process seeks to identify up to 20 projects annually that demonstrate excellence in community-engaged scholarship and meet the criteria of high-impact engaged scholarship. Proposals are due Dec. 19.
National Academy of Medicine membership nominations
The nomination period for membership in the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) runs from Nov. 1 to Feb. 1. While the process is confidential and nominations must come from outside the nominee’s institution, we encourage faculty to familiarize themselves with NAM’s criteria and consider colleagues whose contributions to health and medicine may merit recognition. Institutional support, such as providing CVs, biosketches and other materials upon request, can play a valuable role in facilitating nominations.
Register for Focusing on the First Year Conference
First Year Experience (FYE) will hold its annual Focusing on the First Year Conference on Jan. 29, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Ohio Union. Designed for Ohio State faculty and staff, the FYE conference serves as a professional development opportunity, providing the latest knowledge and most effective strategies to guide and empower our newest students on their collegiate journey.
CTSI Spark Awards available
Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Spark Awards are designed to support preliminary research and generate essential data for new and ongoing projects. Spark Awards provide investigators with resources to advance their research, aiming to jump-start pilot studies and support future extramural grant applications or scientific initiatives. Applications will be received through March 15, 2026, or until designated funds are exhausted.
Don’t forget: You have full access to NCFDD
A quick reminder that our institution has a university-wide membership, which means every faculty member can create a free account and access their full suite of resources. If you haven’t activated your account yet, now is a great time to log in and explore everything available to you. NCFDD offers practical, research-informed tools to support your productivity, writing, work-life balance and overall well-being as a faculty member.
Apply now: Community-Engaged Course Development Grants
Ohio State instructors are invited to apply for a grant of up to $4,000 to support the development of a new community-engaged course or revising an existing course to include community engagement. Grants can support courses offered on any Ohio State campus and at either the undergraduate or graduate level. The application closes at 9 a.m. on Jan. 26, 2026.
Faculty Affairs events calendar
Faculty Affairs has a wide range of engaging events throughout the year. Check out the events calendar for the latest on opportunities for the 2025-26 academic year!
In the News
- Research Impact launched to showcase Ohio State innovation
- Engaged Scholar Q&A: Hollie Nyseth Nzitatira
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- Why undisturbed sleep is important to brain injury recovery
- How personalized algorithms lead to a distorted view of reality
- Prebiotic in diet linked to less impulsivity in gambling rats with TBI
- Will my kid be a pro athlete? Study finds what parents think
- Open spaces in cities may be hotspots for coyote-human interaction