Faculty Resources

Northwestern University offers many resources to support faculty achieve their scientific goals. Find a curated list of tools to help get you started.

The Office of Foundation Relations connects private professional foundations with faculty members. Services for faculty members range from identifying funding opportunities to managing grants post-award. Want to learn more, reach out to one of their team members and sign up to receive funding opportunities right to your mailbox.

will assist researchers in partnering with foundations and private companies to build positive and productive relationships. Interested in 

Corporate Relations Office. Whether you have an existing relationship or are interested in establishing new corporate partnerships, the Corporate Relations Office can help you navigate those conversations leading to mutually beneficial relationships. Subscribe to their newsletter to receive updates on industry activity on campus.

Navigating the Research Enterprise is an annual seminar series for early-career faculty and postdoctoral fellows at Northwestern University who have protected research time. It’s designed to provide them with the support they need to focus on developing the key skills young scientists require in order to progress beyond research. Attendees will be introduced to issues such as finding sources for research funds, writing effective grants and building a network of professional colleagues.

Grant Writing Coaching Groups - To teach the style and content of proposal writing, Rick McGee, PhD, associate dean for Professional Development, has developed a novel grant writing coaching group approach that builds upon highly effective tools of teaching and learning. This approach has been refined over the past 20 years, and applied at Northwestern since 2008.

The NUCATS Grants Repository serves as a centralized resource for grant writers and investigators at various career stages and allows access to training, research, and career development awards from various funding agencies. The repository includes templates, stock/boilerplate language, and other resources and tools, all housed in DigitalHub, an institutional repository for the research and scholarly output of Northwestern Medicine maintained by the Galter Library. Use the form link above to request access.

Explore additional career and networking development opportunities below.

The Faculty Senate is the elected and representative body of the faculty. It considers, makes recommendations, and passes resolutions concerning matters of general university interest, including educational, and research endeavors, hiring policy, tenure and promotion system, and campus life.

Women Faculty Organization (WFO) promotes the career development of women faculty at all ranks and nurtures a welcoming, supportive community locally and beyond. WFO organizes a range of networking, mentoring, and educational opportunities.

The Minority Faculty Association is committed to enhancing the recruitment, retention and promotion of underrepresented minority (URM) faculty through mentorship, professional development and networking.

Northwestern University Leadership Education Advancement Program (NU-LEAP) provides a unique opportunity for Feinberg School of Medicine faculty to develop as a cohort of emerging leaders who can draw on each other to leverage opportunities and solve problems as mentors, investigators, and practitioners.

The Medical Faculty Council serves as a liaison between the Feinberg faculty and medical school administration and is a platform for faculty to voice their concerns and offer feedback related to the medical school.

Promotion & Tenure Planing: The promotion and tenure review process occurs on an annual cycle, with awards of promotion and tenure taking effect on September 1 of the year following application. Faculty are evaluated for promotion or tenure based on the criteria established by their career track. Also, be sure to read through Feinberg's Information Guide for Appointments with an illustrated flowchart of the promotion and tenure process. 

Northwestern Faculty Handbook: The Faculty Handbook constitutes a description of the rights and responsibilities of membership in the faculty of Northwestern University. The Faculty Handbook constitutes a description of the rights and responsibilities of membership in the faculty of Northwestern University. 

Faculty in CDB actively participate and contribute to the growth of several scientific societies. Below is a non-exclusive list of the most pertinent societies used by CDB faculty.

• American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) - ASCB is an inclusive, international community of biologists studying the cell, the fundamental unit of life.
• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) - Advancing science, engineering and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people.
• Society for Neuroscience (SFN) - SfN exists to advance scientific exchange, support the neuroscience community, educate and engage the public, and advocate for the field.
• American Heart Association (AHA) - AHA's mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. The AHA has invested more than $4.8 billion in research, making us the largest not-for-profit funding source for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease research next to the federal government.
• American Diabetes Association - Join thousands of diabetes professionals like you in helping the American Diabetes Association on the road to a cure for diabetes. ADA Professional Membership provides exclusive education, career development, and engagement resources that benefit you, your patients, and your practice.
• Society for Developmental Biology (SDB) - SDB employs an inclusive philosophy to further the study of developmental biology and related disciplines; to foster, support and provide a forum for all investigators in these fields; to educate non-specialists, educators, the general public and policy makers about developmental biology and related disciplines; and to promote fair, respectful, ethical and equitable practices throughout the scientific enterprise
• American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB) - membership is open to individuals who have educational, research, clinical, and/or patient advocacy roles in the field of extracellular matrix biology or an allied field and to other interested members of the public. ASMB is dedicated to fostering a diverse, welcoming, and accessible community. 
• American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) - The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is an international nonprofit scientific and educational organization. With over 11,000 members, made up of students, researchers, educators and industry professionals, the ASBMB is one of the largest molecular life science societies in the world.