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Federal Actions and Funding Loss Extensions

Certain faculty members whose research productivity has been disrupted due to current federal actions may request one one-year extension to their probationary period. To qualify for this extension, a faculty member must:

  • Be currently scheduled for a tenure review within academic year 2026-27 or 2027-28.
  • Have research projects that have been disrupted due to a federal directive or cancellation enacted since January 20, 2025, including a stop work order, termination of a research grant, prohibition of a specific line of research, funding that has been frozen for an approved grant, or a travel ban to the site of intended research.  
  • Not currently be receiving other sources of funding by Northwestern University or another entity that is intended to support the research fully as a result of federal directive or cancellation since January 20, 2025.
  • Demonstrate that the federal interruption has had a significant effect on progress towards tenure that is beyond commonly encountered delays.
  • All other conditions for review and approval of this extension request should conform to the norms within the relevant school, such as: 
    • Demonstrable and specific delays in imminent award of extramural funds in cases where active extramural funding is expected for tenure review consideration. 
    • Lack of access to archive, research site, or other resource critical to the faculty member’s research plan.  

Process:

  • Faculty members should complete the application form (see link below) and submit it to their Dean’s office.
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to articulate how an extension will achieve the levels of scholarly productivity that is usual and customary for consideration of tenure at Northwestern University in the applicant’s department.  
  • Upon receipt of a complete application, the Dean’s office will review it and submit a recommendation to either approve or deny the request to the Provost’s Office.  
  • The Provost’s Office will review the application and Dean’s recommendation, and communicate an approval or denial decision to the Dean’s office.  
  • The Provost’s Office will inform the faculty member of the decision.  
  • The Provost’s decision is final and non-appealable.  

Complete this form to request to extend tenure probationary period due to federal policy and funding changes.