Dear colleagues,

As spring approaches, I want to share with you some opportunities for professional growth coming up through the end of the academic year that I hope you will consider.

Over the next few months, the Office of the Provost will offer a broad range of programming on a variety of topics related to teaching, research and career development. Here are just a handful of upcoming opportunities (don't forget to see Mark Your Calendar below for more):

• April 7-30: University Practicum: The Science of How Students Learn. Now in its sixth year, the Practicum brings colleagues together from across the University in an online format for pedagogical development. Keynote speaker Mesmin Destin will present "Understanding and Amplifying Student Motivation" on April 7. Register here.
• April 9-10: Buffett Symposium: Brave New Futures. The spring symposium will convene international thinkers to explore how human relationships, information ecosystems, labor and the planet itself are being reshaped in this moment of uncertainty and possibility. Register here.
• April 21: Northwestern Computation and Data Exchange (CoDEx) Symposium. This campus‑wide event brings researchers from across the University together to connect, collaborate and explore innovative approaches in research computation and data science. Register here. 
• Throughout April and May: Office of the Provost Career Development Programs calendar of events

Finally, I encourage Spring Quarter instructors to review the Spring Quarter updates regarding Syllabus Standards, Academic Accommodations for Religious Observance, and other information that was sent to all instructors last week.

All of us in the Office of the Provost hope spring break allows you to recharge for the work ahead.

Sincerely,

Sumit Dhar 
Associate Provost for Faculty
Hugh Knowles Professor of Hearing Science

News and Notes

Office of the Provost Awards reception

On Feb. 16, nominators, colleagues, friends and family gathered to celebrate the recipients of the Daniel I. Linzer Award for Faculty Excellence in Service. Shown from left to right: Samir Khuller, who nominated Sara Sood; Michele Zugnoni, who nominated Ted Quiballo; Michelle Manno, who participated in reviewing nominations; Provost Kathleen Hagerty; Noriko Taira Yasohama and her nominator Melissa Macauley; Vicky Kalogera and her nominator Julie Allen; and Daniel Linzer, for whom the Linzer Award is named. Thank you for your service and congratulations!

Sustainability Faculty Lunch Series and Seed Funding Competition

In alignment with Northwestern’s priority to lead in sustainability, faculty are invited to a short series of interdisciplinary networking lunches (April 6 and 27) leading to an internal competition for seed funding for projects at the intersection of the environment and health. Please see more information and express your interest in participating by responding to this short questionnaire by March 27.

In case you missed it

• The Office of the Provost and the Faculty Senate will co-host an online conversation with faculty about AI assistance in grading and assessing student work on March 19.
• President Henry S. Bienen and Provost Kathleen Hagerty sent a message to the community responding to the military conflict in the Middle East that is affecting many members of the Northwestern community and the operations of our Qatar campus. A new website with guidance and resources has been created for the NU-Q community.
• Mark Jackson, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation, shared his vision for Northwestern Athletics in a community message. The Intercollegiate Athletics Committee launched in January 2026 with the charge of advising Northwestern's president on issues related to the welfare and academic performance of student-athletes.
• The Feinberg School of Medicine has awarded a pioneer in infectious disease genetics the 2026 Mechthild Esser Nemmers Prize in Medical Science.
• Northwestern announced its 2026 honorary degree recipients: Michael Graetzel, Heather Headley, Sarah Jessica Parker and David Skorton.
• View more news from around the University.

Faculty Support and Services

Funding Opportunities

Buffett Institute's Global Collaboration Grant

The Global Collaboration Grant from the Buffett Institute allows faculty to further their international research and teaching collaborations. Partners can be faculty members at other colleges or universities, leaders from global civil society or individuals from government, private sector or community organizations. Spring applications are due April 15. The maximum annual award is $10,000 per applicant. Learn more.

Alumnae of Northwestern University Academic Enrichment Grant

The Alumnae of Northwestern University is soliciting faculty-sponsored proposals to bring distinguished guest scholars, speakers and artists to campus for lectures, masterclasses or performances in the 2026-27 academic year. Up to $34,000 is available, which may be awarded in its entirety to support one project or in smaller amounts to several projects. Many past recipients have combined their grant award with other funding resources. Proposals are due by 11:55 p.m. CST April 8. Learn how to apply. 

Mark Your Calendar

• April 6: Sustainability Faculty Lunch – At the Intersection of the Environment and Health (first in series)
• April 8: Recently Tenured Mid-Career Faculty Institute and Celebratory Lunch
• April 15: Recently Promoted (Teaching/Clinical/NTE) Mid-Career Faculty Institute and Celebratory Lunch
• April 21: Communicating Your Research: Engaging New Audiences
• April 27: Sustainability Faculty Lunch – At the Intersection of the Environment and Health (second in series)

Key dates

• March 21: Spring break begins
• March 24: Winter grades due by 3 p.m. 
• March 31: Spring Quarter classes begin with Northwestern Monday on a Tuesday.
• April 1: Registration opens for TEACHx 2026, which will take place May 13-14, online and in Evanston.

More resources

• Faculty Resources
  • Academic Calendars
  • Career Development and Leadership
  • Faculty Handbook
  • Past Newsletters

Help us build future newsletters! If your school or department is working on a project that is relevant to the entire faculty, please send an email at least one month prior to the desired month of publication to faculty@northwestern.edu.