Full Proposal Requirements

Proposals must not exceed 5 pages (excluding references, appendices, and letters of support)

1. Group (Cluster) Theme/Title – Provide a short descriptive title of the strategic theme.

2. Overview – Provide a brief overview of the EMU-Group/Cluster Hire area of scholarship, including its connection with campus priorities identified in the strategic plan, how it connects to existing strengths, and how it enhances the reputation and visibility of our campus.

3. Cluster Units – List the participating units (departments, schools, colleges, and centers/institutes) and any governance information that you feel is relevant. 

4. Proposal Description – Address each of the following questions:

   • Define the Group/Cluster

     • Describe the group/cluster theme, the problem being addressed, and how this cluster will support the mission, vision, values, and strategic plan of the university.

     • Describe the faculty composition. In addition to listing the department/area/college, what will each hire contribute to the success of the cluster theme. 

   • Academic benefit

     • How would this EMU-Cluster Hires enhance curricular offerings and the ability of participating units to address student needs and experiences, especially for undergraduates?

     • How the cluster will increase EMU's capacity to address current or emerging issues or challenges to our school and community, the country or the planet.

   • Research benefit

     • How would the proposed EMU-Group/Cluster Hires enhance faculty strength across all participating units in research. 

     • What are the possible external funding opportunities and resources that the EMU-Cluster Hires can compete for and access?

   • Group/Cluster continuity and efficacy

     • How would the hiring units collaborate to ensure that the EMU-Group/Cluster Hires take full advantage of the synergy among the relevant faculty members through the hiring process and beyond? Describe strategies for mentoring, building support networks, and enhancing the engagement of faculty members with each other.

     • How would the hired faculty members (and current faculty members who fit the strategic theme) build and sustain their collaboration and engagement with each other to ensure that the EMU-Group/Cluster Hire program fulfills its promise?

5. Letters of Support – The application must include the letters of support:

   • College/Center/Institute Letters of Support (required) – A brief statement from the department head/school director of each participating department/school, the dean of each participating college, and director of any Center or Institute. 

   • Each letter must include:

     • A statement confirming support for the EMU-Group/Cluster Hire strategic theme and summary of relevant department faculty input.

     • How the cluster theme fits within the colleges mission, vision and strategic plan.

     • Description of any anticipated additional costs associated with faculty recruitment that will be incurred (e.g.,expected salary beyond the maximum amount for each rank, start-up packages, etc.).