Preparing Future Faculty (PFF)

PFF (formerly known as AGEP) is a signature two-year scholarship program within the Graduate School that helps prepare Purdue graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for faculty careers. The program is cohort-based with new cohorts beginning in fall semester. The program offers a series of personal and professional development workshops, mentoring, and outreach activities to help prepare students for the professoriate.

Application cycle

  • Application Open Date: May 1st, 2024
  • Application Close Date: June 30th, 2024
  • Decision released: Early August 2024
  • Program Dates: Fall 2024 – Summer 2026 
  • Meetings: cohort will meet for lunch the first Wednesday of every month, starting on September 4, 2024.

Eligilibity: 

  • Postdoctoral scholars or Graduate students who have advanced to candidacy and are interested in pursuing a career as a faculty member.
  • U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asyless or individuals who have attended a U.S. High School. Canadian-born Native Americans who meet specific criteria under the Jay Treaty of 1794 are also eligible.
  • Applicants who are the first in their family to attend college, served in the U.S. Armed Forces, were a Pell grant recipient, or attended a minority-serving institution are particularly encouraged to apply. 
  • This program is open to all eligible scholars regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender.

Benefits

  1. The program will provide mentoring, workshops, and activities designed to help scholars stay on track to complete their dissertation.
  2. Scholars will gain insight about preparing for and succeeding in academia by attending mentoring sessions with faculty who come from a variety of disciplines, backgrounds, perspective, and institutional types.
  3. The program will help Scholars prepare key application materials such as teaching philosophy statement, an updated CV, a mentoring statement, and a cover letter for an academic position.
  4. Scholars will benefit from joining a supportive community of current graduate students and by gaining access to PFF program alumni.
  5. Scholars will receive an annual stiped paid in three installments and based on program participation.

Application Components:

  • Application to Purdue PFF through the application portal.
  • Upload a current CV.
  • Upload a 1-page description of your research.
  • Short essay questions (maximum of 500 words per question)
    • Please describe your long-range career goals and how participation in the PFF program will advance your career.
    • Please describe your interest in and ability to contribute, as a future faculty member, to the support of students who have diverse perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences. You may address one or more of the following areas: teaching and mentoring; research and scholarship, engagement, and service. Please note anything in your background, education, employment, community service efforts, professional development, or research and teaching that speaks to your qualifications for the PFF program.
  • Faculty name and contact information.