UNLV Research Fellow

The UNLV Research Fellow is a leadership position that combines research activities and expertise with appropriations, inter-governmental advocacy, strategy, and community engagement to advance the overall research agenda for UNLV. The research fellowship appointment is designed to strengthen the university’s research engagement with public agencies, policymakers, and community partners.

This fellowship provides a research active faculty member with structured opportunities to contribute to institutional funding strategy, legislative engagement, and community-centered research initiatives while gaining hands-on experience in the state and federal appropriations processes.

The program is designed to cultivate faculty leaders who demonstrate interest and promise in research administration, public policy engagement, and externally funded initiatives, particularly those aligned with UNLV’s public mission and strategic priorities.

Objectives

  • Strengthen UNLV’s capacity to secure state and federal appropriations
  • Enhance institutional research priorities  at local, state, and federal levels
  • Advance research  initiatives aligned with funding priorities
  • Increase faculty understanding of legislative processes, budgeting cycles, and public funding mechanisms
  • Support strategic grant development that aligns community impact with institutional goals
  • Integrate diverse faculty perspectives into funding advocacy and engagement strategies

Program Structure

The fellowship includes two core components:

Policy and Leadership Development

The Research Fellow will participate in structured professional development focused on:

  • State and federal appropriations processes
  • Legislative budget cycles and institutional funding strategy
  • Government advocacy and stakeholder engagement
  • Research development and sponsored programs strategy
  • Community engagement frameworks and partnership development
  • Policy communication and advocacy

This component may include policy briefings, strategy meetings, workshops, and engagement with university leadership and government affairs professionals.

Applied Research and Strategic Initiative

The Research Fellow will be embedded within the Division of Research. and mentored by senior leader in Research and Governmental and Community Engagement.

The Fellow will lead or contribute to a strategic project such as:

  • Developing appropriations requests or funding justifications
  • Conducting legislative and funding landscape analyses
  • Drafting policy briefs or impact reports for policymakers
  • Strengthening relationships with community and governmental partners
  • Creating grant pipelines aligned with community needs and public funding priorities
  • Evaluating the impact of community-engaged research initiatives

The project must advance a key institutional priority related to funding, public impact, or governmental engagement.

Term and Time Commitment

The appointment will be for a 12-month period, with the possibility of renewal for an additional 12 months based on mutual agreement and institutional priorities.

The estimated time commitment is approximately 10-15 hours per week, with additional time required during peak appropriations cycles or major funding initiatives.

Participants are expected to attend relevant meetings, policy briefings, and engagement events aligned with their responsibilities.

Culminating Report

At the conclusion of the fellowship term, the Research Fellow will submit a report (maximum 3 pages) summarizing:

  • Leadership and policy development experiences
  • Description of the strategic initiative
  • Outcomes and measurable impact
  • Recommendations for strengthening institutional funding and engagement strategies

Compensation

The Research Fellow will retain full salary and benefits. A stipend of $1,250 per month will be provided consistent with the scope of responsibilities and time commitment associated with the fellowship.

Eligibility

The Research Fellowship is open to all regular Academic Faculty who have worked at UNLV for at least five years in a full-time position.

Application Process

All materials must be compiled into a single PDF file and submitted online through the UNLV InfoReady Opportunities Portal. No late submissions will be considered. The applicant will receive an automatic notification when the application packet has been received.

  • Cover Page with full name, job title, department/unit, college/division, email address, and phone number
  • Letter of support from supervisor (one page maximum)
  • Statement of interest (two page maximum)
  • References (no more than 3)
  • Current curriculum vitae or resume

Evaluation Process

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of the senior administrators in the Division of Research and the Office of Government and Community Engagement.

Candidates will be contacted for virtual and potential follow-up interviews and applicants will be notified of the decision via email in May.