To be eligible for a Catalyst Award, faculty must meet the following requirements: 

• Be a full-time Chapman University faculty member (tenure-track, tenured, or non-tenure-track). 

• Accumulate 30 Catalyst credits through mentoring undergraduate students enrolled in 291/491. 

• Not be on sabbatical, family leave, or teaching overload during the requested course release term. 

• Not have received a Catalyst Award course release within the past two years.  

• • The two-year eligibility period is based on the term in which the prior course release is used, not when the application is submitted. 

• Awards are limited and granted based on: 

• • School/college approval 

• • Award priority 

• • Availably of funding

A Catalyst credit representsone successfully completed studentcredit  in a 291/491 course. The faculty member mentoring the student earns one Catalyst credit for each studentcredit completed. For example, if a student successfully completes a one (1)-credit 291/491 course, the faculty mentor earns one (1)Catalyst credit. 

• Catalyst credits will become available at the launch of the program in Fall 2026. 

• Catalyst credits remain pending until the class/term is complete and final grades have been posted. Pending credits cannot be used toward a Catalyst Award application. 

• If a class receives an incomplete, the associated Catalyst credits will remain pending until a final grade is posted. 

• Once a faculty member reaches 30 Catalyst credits, any additional credits earned will be recorded but will not count toward future eligibility.  

• If a Catalyst Award is approved, the faculty member’s Catalyst credits reset, and only credits earned after the approved Catalyst Award application will count toward the next eligibility cycle. 

• Example: A faculty member has 29 completed Catalyst credits at the application deadline and is also mentoring a student enrolled in a three (3)-credit 291/491 class. The faculty member is not eligible to apply during that application cycle because the additional three (3) Catalyst credits are still pending and cannot be counted toward the 30-credit minimum. 

Faculty may view their current Catalyst credit balance and credit history here. 

Application and Course Release Timeline: 

Applications and required approvals must be completed by the established deadlines to be considered for a Catalyst Award. The timeline below outlines the submission, approval, and course release requirements. 

• Applications will be accepted beginning on the first day of Interterm and will close at 11:59 p.m. on the last Friday of Interterm. 

• Applications will not be considered complete until required approvals from both the Program Director/Chair and Associate Dean/Dean are received by Friday of Week Two (2) of the spring semester.  

• Applications without the required approvals by this deadline will not be considered. 

• Faculty are responsible for monitoring the application approval workflow and following up with approvers as needed to ensure all required school/college-level approvals are completed by the published deadline.  

• The requested course release in a Catalyst Award application may only be taken during the academic year immediately following the academic year in which the application is submitted. 

• Applicants will be notified of award decisions on or about the fifth week of the spring semester. 

• Approved course releases must be taken during the approved academic year and may not be deferred or carried forward. Unused course releases will be forfeited 

Mentoring Philosophy and Impact Statement  

• Reflect on your mentoring practices by describing your mentoring philosophy and the ways in which you have supported your students. (no more than 300 words) 

Future Impact of Award Statement 

• Describe how receiving a course release will support your work mentoring undergraduate students in research or creative activities. (no more than 300 words)  

Outcomes List 

• List any notable student outcomes resulting from these research or creative activities (e.g., presentations, publications, conference participation, awards, or performances). 

Complete the following steps to apply for a Catalyst Award. Before submitting your application, confirm your eligibility, gather the required materials, and coordinate your requested course release with your department. 

• Confirm you have 30 Catalyst credits through the online credit accounting system - [Online
  Credit Accounting System — Coming Soon]

• Collect the required documents to complete your application. 

• Meet with your department chair or program director to identify a mutually agreed upon term for your course release. 

• Complete and submit the online application by the published deadline. [Application Link — Coming Soon]

Applications are reviewed through a multi-level process involving the department/program chair, dean/associate dean, CUE, and the Provost. Final Catalyst Awards are determined based on eligibility, required approvals, priority, and the availability of funding for course releases during the academic year. 

• The Provost will make final Catalyst Award decisions based on the number of course releases available for that academic year. Additional awards may be granted if additional funding becomes available. 

• If an application is not approved, the faculty member will be notified and encouraged to apply again in a future term.

If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of available course releases in an academic year, awards will be allocated using the following priority order. 

      1. First Priority: Non-Promoted Faculty with Research Expectations

• • Are non-promoted faculty (e.g., assistant professors), and 

• • Have explicit research expectations as part of their appointment or workload. 

    2. Second Priority: Applicants Who Have Never Received a Catalyst Award
 
    3. Third Priority: Applicants Who Have Previously Received a Catalyst Award

Ranking Within a Priority Group 

If the number of eligible applicants within a priority group exceeds the number of available awards, applicants in that priority group will be ranked based on the total number of catalyst credits received for mentoring students in the Catalyst program. 

Catalyst credits will be counted from: 

• The applicant's most recent successful Catalyst Award application, if they have previously received a Catalyst Award; or 

• The applicant's first eligible Catalyst credit, if they have never received a Catalyst Award. 

Applicants with a greater number of Catalyst credits earned during the applicable period will receive higher priority for a Catalyst Award. 

If there are still more eligible applicants than available course releases after applying the priority order and ranking criteria, a random lottery will be conducted among the tied applicants to determine the award recipient(s).