Updated August 8, 2025
Contents
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Overview
Purpose: As defined in the Texas Education Code, an FDL is a leave of absence for a faculty member to dedicate time and effort "for study, research, writing, field observations, or other suitable purpose."
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*Note that FDLs are distinct from course releases that result in 0-teaching loads. FDLs release faculty from normal University obligations so they can focus solely on research. Course releases that result in 0-teaching loads are for teaching release only; faculty are expected to fulfill other University obligations and duties.
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Award Timing
The application process for UT-FDLs opens at the start of the fall semester of one academic year for UT-FDLs starting in the following academic year (e.g. applications submitted in Fall 2025 are for UT-FDLs occurring in AY 2026-27).
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Eligibility Criteria
UT-FDL application information and other requirements are provided on the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost's Faculty Development Leave website.
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Faculty must be tenured at UT Austin when they apply for and have a UT-FDL.
At the start of the UT-FDL, the faculty member must have already completed at least six full academic years employed as a full-time faculty member by UT Austin, with the six years including at least two full academic years of consecutive full-time service at UT Austin and received no other FDLs during that six-year period. (See UT’s FDL Guidelines for further details and examples).
Faculty must have a demonstrated record of and trajectory for continuing excellence in their research, scholarship and creative endeavors as defined by their college/school. This includes meeting or exceeding expectations in at least three of the most recent full academic years preceding the application for the FDL.
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Application Information
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Applications can be submitted September 2, 2025 - October 1, 2025 via the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost website.
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Post-
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Award Requirements
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Upon completion of the FDL and by the conclusion of the first term (fall or spring) after the FDL has ended, the faculty member must submit a one-page summary report documenting FDL activities and products (where relevant), an accounting of all grants supplemental to the FDL (where relevant), and the impact of the FDL on the faculty member’s professional development. The Report should list any scholarly activities such as conference presentations, publications, performances, exhibitions, patents, digital resources, or other research/creative activity that resulted or will results from work done during the period of the leave. Note, a failure to submit the report will make the faculty member ineligible for another FDL.
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Review Committee
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COLA-FDL ELIGIBILITY. When an external grant, fellowship, residency, contract, or other external opportunity buys out a faculty member’s teaching or service, or when there is a faculty professional leave without pay, the dean decides on a case-by-case basis as to whether this qualifies as an FDL based on the specifics of the individual’s circumstances in relation to the Texas Education Code. If it is determined that the circumstances fit the definition of an FDL, the faculty member will be invited to apply for a COLA-FDL using an ad hoc process that includes review by the elected committee.
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9a580d78-8453-46a1-be8d-e612e0a6076b 9a580d78-8453-46a1-be8d-e612e0a6076b COLA Co-Sponsored External Fellowships (CSEF) COLA faculty who are awarded prestigious external fellowships may apply for supplemental funding from the College of Liberal Arts to support their fellowship award. If the College funds 50% or more of the faculty member's salary across an academic year, the award may qualify as an FDL. In such cases, eligibility and processes must follow FDL guidelines. COLA-CSEF application information and other requirements are provided on the College’s Co-Sponsored External Fellowship website.
University Policies
University policies for university FDL and FDL-related activities can be found on the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost website.
Contact
For questions, contact: la-academic@austin.utexas.edu