Background:
To provide new faculty members with a reduced teaching load or funds to support research at the earliest stage of their appointment at Centenary College. In a taxing period of adjustment to a new environment, the chair will assist the faculty member to establish a research program and/or to accomplish specifically research-related tasks such as preparing a grant proposal to fund the faculty member's research/joint research with students or to help fund the research itself. Should the incumbent elect to receive released time, the chair will not automatically provide for a supplementary research stipend. If surplus funds are available, however, after the chair holder's salary, benefits, and other expenses associated with the chair (e.g. part-time replacement salary) are paid from accrued interest on the endowment, the incumbent may petition for a grant in aid with which to support a specific research project.

Focus:
For purposes of this award, research is defined as original, potentially publishable scholarly or scientific investigation, undertaken by the applicant individually, in collaboration with another investigator, or with students under the supervision of the applicant. The chair is not intended to support efforts primarily related to teaching or service activities.

Eligibility:
Each year, newly appointed, full-time faculty on permanent (non-visiting) appointments will be eligible to compete for a chair appointment to begin in August. Persons on visiting appointments that are converted to tenure track shall also be eligible to apply in the first year of their tenure-track appointments. Holders of endowed professorships, endowed chairs, and faculty on released-time appointments are ineligible for this award.

Application Procedure:
To be considered for an August appointment, applications must be submitted to the Office of the Provost no later than July 1. New faculty signing contracts after July 1 may still apply but will not be considered for a chair appointment until the new cycle begins the following year. Such persons shall submit applications by April 1 of the first year in which they assume their duties and, if selected, shall serve in the chair during their second year.

Appointment:
Upon recommendation of the Faculty Development Committee and approval by the Provost and the President, an academic year appointment will be made to a qualified, research-focused individual who can forcefully demonstrate that the award will have a significant impact on his/her research agenda and the research presence of the college. In the absence of a candidate who qualifies for the award under the established criteria, appointment to the chair may be withheld to allow the supporting endowment to grow. As an alternative, and in exceptional circumstances, the current incumbent may be extended for a second and final year in the chair. Those wishing to be considered for such extensions shall provide compelling evidence of the chair's positive impact on their research during the first year as well as a convincing outline of projected benefits that would accrue from a second year. There will be no automatic awards, and an applicant pool of one in any given year shall not in and of itself guarantee appointment to the chair. All applicants must qualify under established criteria.

Application Format:
All applications are due in the Office of the Provost no later than July 1 of each academic year and must include the following information:

1. Name, department, date on which appointment as permanent (non-visiting) full-time faculty member at Centenary College was accepted by applicant. If on visiting appointment that is converted to tenure track, indicate effective date.
2. Statement of applicant's research philosophy, together with tangible evidence to substantiate a personal commitment to research.
3. Detailed description of how released time or grant in aid of research will be employed by applicant, if appointed to the chair.
4. Anticipated impact, in specific, of released time or grant in aid of research on research program.
5. Supporting letters. As a minimum, should include nomination and endorsement by department chair.
6. Released time option: include plan from department chair with which to cover courses that would not be taught by applicant, if appointed to chair. Note: No award will be made unless 1) a qualified part-time replacement is obtained for the awardee or 2) viable reasons are presented to support cancellation of the courses in question without rendering harm to the program or to students.