“Attracting the most talented faculty is the key to MIT’s work tackling the biggest global challenges and educating the next generation of leaders. Named professorships provide game-changing resources for our faculty: junior faculty receive critical support that enables them to pursue their most promising work early in their careers, while senior faculty gain the opportunity to explore bold new directions in their research and scholarship.”
History has shown us that MIT faculty members can, and do, change the world—the Institute counts among its current and former faculty 105 Nobel Laureates, 84 MacArthur Fellows, and 64 National Medal of Science winners.
When such world-class scholars make their home at MIT and are empowered to do their best work, the conditions are set for breathtaking discoveries and the dynamic education of our next generation of explorers and innovators.
Endowed chairs at MIT provide funding and a vote of confidence for experienced faculty, while career development professorships invest in the potential of early-career faculty, providing three years of funding to those who exhibit exceptional teaching and research promise. Beyond salary and benefits, a professorship provides a flexible annual allowance that gives faculty the power to explore options and seize opportunities.
Why are professorships so important?
- MIT-caliber faculty are constantly wooed by other institutions and by industry. The affirmation and financial resources that come with an endowed professorship encourage them to stay and to invest themselves in the MIT community.
- Endowed professorships provide support and flexibility, making it possible for faculty to take their research in exciting, untested directions.
- The presence of distinguished faculty attracts top students, drawn to MIT for the opportunity to learn directly from the most accomplished scholars in their field.
Outstanding Faculty Leaders One-Pager
MIT professors are among the world’s foremost experts and innovators in every discipline.
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Support Professorships at MIT
The support of a professorship publicly affirms the Institute’s faith in the quality and potential of an individual’s research, giving faculty the freedom to explore projects with the potential to change the world.
To learn more about giving in support of professorships, connect with Elizabeth Crabtree, executive director, Development Planning and Initiatives, at [email protected] or 617.715.5798.