BRN Faculty Fellowship 3.0

The BRN launched in October 2021 as a University of Toronto Institutional Strategic Initiative. We support Black excellence by enhancing the visibility and impact of Black-led research, sustaining a cross-divisional, interdisciplinary network of Black scholars and facilitating robust research engagement across U of T. 

Funding: Each Faculty Fellow will receive $10,000 (CAD) in support, which may be used for research and pedagogical projects, course release (with the chair’s permission), or honoraria—all subject to U of T guidelines.  

Amplification of Work: BRN Communications will collaborate with Faculty Fellows to amplify their research and pedagogical projects across BRN platforms.  

Course Release Requirements: If requesting course release, a note of consent and signature from the applicant’s chair/dean must accompany the application. For the 2025–2026 fellowships, course release must be scheduled for Fall 2026 and Winter 2027.  

Serve on the BRN Advisory Committee for a one-year term. Additional information about the BRN Advisory Committee is available here. 

• Participation in BRN Programming (e.g., research presentation, research conversation, mentorship initiatives and representing BRN at events)  

• Providing recommendations and suggestions for enhancing BRN Programming 

• A short report summarizing all fellowship activities (1 – 2 pages) at the end of the Fellowship term 

The BRN Faculty Fellows program is open to Black faculty in tenure-track or teaching-stream positions at U of T. The position must be filled by March or April 2026.  

Application deadline: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 11:59pm EST  

Applications should be submitted via the online application form.  

• University of Toronto CV Format (in pdf)  

• For tenure-track applicants: A 1000-word (max) overview of your research, discussing disciplinary field, methodology, and current or near-future projects.  

• For teaching stream applicants: A 1000-word (max) teaching and engagement overview outlining your pedagogical approach, curriculum development, and contributions to student learning. 

• A 750-word statement (max) outlining your interest in the BRN Faculty Fellow position.  

• Explain how your interest aligns with BRN’s strategic priorities and share your vision for advancing the BRN community nationally or internationally. 

• If selected as a Faculty Fellow, you will also serve on the BRN Advisory Committee. Describe how you would approach this role and note any relevant experience on advisory groups or similar committees.  

• Provide examples of past or potential collaborations with community partners. 

• If the BRN Faculty Fellowship will be applied to course release, a note of consent and signature from the applicant’s chair/dean must accompany the application. 

*Please note: Additional documentation may be requested, such as a writing sample (journal article, book chapter, etc.), exhibition documentation, and details. You may also be asked to provide details for two referees who would be able to comment on your work and its impact in the field, such as a department chair or mentor. 

Any questions may be directed to brn@utoronto.ca.  

1. I accidentally submitted an old CV and/or incorrect document and would like to upload a new one. Would that be possible?  
   Please resubmit your application using the online application form with the correct documents as soon as possible and by February 26 . In addition, please reach out to brn@utoronto.ca with the subject line: Full name _Faculty Fellows – Resubmission. Within the body of the e-mail, please outline your reason for resubmission.   

2. Will I receive a confirmation e-mail that my application has been received?
   Once you apply, the online form will direct you to a page confirming that the application has been sent. If you have concerns that your application might not have been received, please contact brn@utoronto.ca with the subject line “Full name _Faculty Fellows application” and outline your concern within the body of the email.    

3. Can we arrange a meeting with the BRN staff before applying to learn more about the faculty fellowship? 
   Please e-mail brn@utoronto.ca with your meeting request and we will try our best to arrange the meeting.  

4. How long is the fellowship? 
   The faculty fellowship is a one-year program.   

5. I recently joined a department at the University of Toronto as a lecturer (limited-term appointment). Could I apply for this fellowship?
   Unfortunately, no. The BRN Faculty Fellows program is open to Black faculty in tenure-track or teaching-stream positions at U of T.  

6. Could my graduate students or postdoctoral fellows attend research roundtables or speaker series on my behalf?
   Participation by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows is highly recommended and encouraged in our events, such as the speaker series. However, one of the core mandatory duties of the faculty fellow is to engage in and participate in events such as research roundtables, speaker series sessions and research talks. 
   
   For any additional questions, please get in touch with brn@utoronto.ca with the subject line: Full Name – Faculty Fellowship.