Assistant Professor Leave Grant Program
Internal — Williams College only
Assistant Professor Leave Grant Program supports Williams College assistant professors with backstop salary funding to maintain their base pay during pre-tenure professional leave.
Funder: Williams College
Due Dates: 1–2 years before anticipated leave (required Grants Office consultation)
Funding Amounts: Up to 25% of annual salary to supplement the 75% base salary provided during the two-semester leave year
Summary: Backstop salary support helps reappointed Williams College assistant professors maintain their base salary during pre-tenure professional leave when external funding cannot be secured.
Key Information: Faculty are expected to seek external funding; no formal AP Leave Grant application is required.
Description
Williams College’s Assistant Professor (AP) Leave Grant provides backstop salary support for reappointed tenure-line assistant professors taking professional leave before their tenure decision. The grant complements the college’s AP Leave policy, which provides two semesters of paid professional leave, by supplementing institutional leave-year salary when outside funding cannot be secured.
The program supports continuity of salary during professional leave rather than replacing the pursuit of external grants. Williams expects faculty to seek external funding to supplement their leave salary. The Grants Office supports this effort through guidance on identifying prospective funders and navigating the application lifecycle. Early consultation with its Director establishes eligibility for the backstop support and helps faculty plan their leave funding.
