Faculty Updates for UT Austin
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026
End Strong. Plan Forward. Lead On. 
Please share the following information with your colleagues and those you mentor.
This week's newsletter highlights tools and opportunities to support your teaching, scholarship and well-being as the semester ends. 
In this issue...
  • Key Dates
  • 2026–27 Academic Calendar 
  • Faculty Development
  • Faculty Research & Grant Opportunities
  • Check Your Course Evaluations
  • HealthPoint Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Wellness 
  • Canva Campus is Now in Session for Faculty and Staff 
  • New Research Commercialization Resources 
  • Digital Accessibility Training & Office Hours
  • Request a Longhorns Listen: Suicide Prevention Training
  • UT Sage – Get Ready for Fall with an AI Tutor!  
  • End the Semester on a High Note with Enterprise Technology 
  • Comments for Responsible Use of AI in Graduate Education
  • International Travel Registry
  • Faculty Events
  • News
KEY DATES
Monday, Apr. 27
  • Last class day
Tuesday, Apr. 28 – Wednesday, Apr. 29 
  • Study days 
Thursday, Apr. 30 – Monday, May 1, 2 & 4 
  • Final Exams 
Monday, May 4 – Thursday, May 7 
  • Grades are due. Review University grade submission deadlines and policies. 
2026–27 Academic Calendar  
The 2026–27 Academic Calendar is available online to support your planning for the year ahead.

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT 
Aspiring Leaders Academy 
Applications are now open for UT's signature faculty leadership program, the Aspiring Leaders Academy. Academic leaders play a vital role in guiding the University’s strategic direction by fostering innovation in research, teaching, service, clinical practice and mentorship. This program is intended for mid-career faculty interested in exploring leadership opportunities, as well as current academic leaders seeking to further develop and refine their skills. Faculty who are curious about leadership pathways but have not yet held a formal leadership position are especially encouraged to apply. 
Apply to the Aspiring Leaders Academy
Dossier Prep Sessions
The provost’s Faculty Affairs team will be holding two information sessions focused on the creation of promotion dossiers on Tuesday, May 5. Dossier Prep Sessions are intended for faculty promotion candidates who will be undergoing promotion review in fall 2026. Please note that these sessions are not intended for faculty in the Dell Medical School. No registration is required to attend a prep session. 
Professional-Track Faculty Dossier Prep Session
Tuesday, May 5, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
EER 0.904 (Mulva Auditorium)

Tenure/Tenure-Track Faculty Dossier Prep Session
Tuesday, May 5, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
EER 0.904 (Mulva Auditorium)

FACULTY RESEARCH & GRANT OPPORTUNITIES  
Texas Global Spring Grants
Texas Global is accepting proposals through Friday, May 1 for the Global Career Launch program and the President's Award for Global Learning to support faculty-driven internships and global experiential learning. Questions may be directed to txglobal-grants@austin.utexas.edu. 
Texas Global Opportunities
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award Competition is now open, offering more than 380 opportunities for U.S. citizens to go abroad in Fall 2027 – Spring 2028. The competition closes on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Interested faculty may contact txglobal-grants@austin.utexas.edu for guidance.   
Fulbright U.S. Scholars Program Application
SEC Faculty Travel Program
Are you interested in collaborating with colleagues at other SEC universities? The SEC Faculty Travel Program offers funding opportunities to support such initiatives. Applications are due by 5 p.m. CDT on Monday, May 18, 2026. 
Learn More about SEC Faculty Travel Program
Faculty Travel Grants
2025–26 Policy and Application  
Eligible faculty may receive up to $1,400 per academic year for travel expenses to support their presenting original papers at scholarly and professional meetings.   
Apply for Faculty Travel Grants

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Check Your Course Evaluations
All faculty can review course evaluations in the online system. If you are expecting an evaluation and you do not receive an email, or the evaluation is not present in your view of the system, please contact your Course Evaluation Liaison (CEL) immediately. Unsure how to view details for your survey(s)? Check the CES Guide.
HealthPoint Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Wellness  
Faculty well-being matters — and support doesn’t have to be a solo effort. UT Austin's HealthPoint Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Wellness can partner with your department to offer a tailored presentation on faculty well-being, benefits and available resources. If your department is interested in hosting a session, reach out to eap@austin.utexas.edu to schedule.  
Canva Campus is Now in Session for UT Austin Faculty and Staff 
Faculty and staff can create professional, accessible and on‑brand content with premium features from Canva. Your Canva license includes access to UT‑approved templates and resources, making it easy to create presentations, course materials, event flyers, social media graphics and other digital or print materials that align with University brand standards. Watch the UT Faculty Info Session (recorded Apr. 1) and, for additional resources and office hours, visit the Canva at UT Austin website. Need help using Canva or have questions? Come to Canva office hours on Wednesday, Apr. 29 from 2 – 2:30 p.m. See schedule and sign up here.
New Research Commercialization Resources 
Discovery to Impact has new resources to support faculty advancing their innovations. These include an AI-enabled disclosure portal that streamlines the invention disclosure process and makes it easier for faculty to work alongside the IP team to protect their ideas, as well as an Express License program designed to accelerate the path from discovery to startup. Faculty Ambassadors are also available to discuss research commercialization opportunities and provide guidance to colleagues. Contact us to learn more about serving as an ambassador. 
Responsible Use of AI in Graduate Education 
The Office of Academic Technology and the Graduate School welcome comments and feedback for the responsible use of AI in graduate education at UT. Share your comments by Sunday, May 31.  
Request a Longhorns Listen: Suicide Prevention Training 
This 90-minute interactive workshop for all members of the UT community equips participants with the skills to recognize warning signs, engage in empathetic conversations and connect those in need to the right resources. By listening with empathy, asking difficult questions and offering support, every Longhorn can build a stronger, healthier community together. Request a Longhorns Listen: Suicide Prevention Training for your group or team.  
UT Sage – Get Ready for Fall with an AI Tutor!  
UT Sage lets you build AI tutors trained on your course material that help students practice and reinforce course concepts using learning science principles. Tutors integrate directly with Canvas, so students can access them right where they already learn. Join an introduction workshop at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6 to learn more and start building.  
End the Semester on a High Note with Enterprise Technology 
With finals looming and end-of-semester tasks upon us, Enterprise Technology is sharing a list of curated learning technology updates to help you successfully navigate the close of the academic year with confidence, efficiency and support. 
International Travel Registry 
Texas Global has launched the new International Travel Registry (ITR) hosted on Via, a travel-planning platform. The registry is a mandatory component of the international travel process required for UT Austin students and employees traveling for University business. The Global Risk and Safety (GRS) team will host drop-in training sessions to introduce travelers and their proxies to the new platform. Please contact the GRS team for assistance or more information.
Digital Accessibility Training & Office Hours 
The Digital Accessibility Center (DAC) offers trainings and office hours. Office hours will be housed Thursdays 1 – 2:30 p.m. Faculty can bring inquires on course material accessibility and campus digital accessibility requirements. View upcoming trainings and register for DAC office hours at ET Events and use the Digital Accessibility filter. Have a Canvas or Ally question? Canvas Office Hours are offered every Friday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Workshops & Office Hours

EVENTS 
Annual Center for Biomedical Research Support 2026 Research Showcase
Wednesday, May 13 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Mulva Auditorium (EER) | Register
The annual CBRS Research Showcase is a gathering of faculty, staff and student researchers who use or are interested in using the resources of the Center for Biomedical Research Support (CBRS) to advance their research. This event is an opportunity to explore ongoing research projects and learn more about the facilities and services offered by CBRS. Attendees can also learn about relevant vendors for our campus research community and network with peers at a social hour. Register now for this in-person meeting and discover how CBRS can contribute to the success of your research endeavors. 
Drama for Schools Symposium 
Friday, May 15 – Saturday, May 16 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Register 
The Drama for Schools Symposium will gather local, national and international research partners to consider how drama-based pedagogy (and related practices) can be used to create more welcoming and engaging learning environments for all. The DFS Symposium will provide a critical gathering space to reflect on past work, learn new methods and envision a better possible educational future. UT faculty, staff and students receive a 20% discount. Registration for the DFS Symposium closes on Monday, May 4. 
More Faculty Events
NEWS
Clarence Thomas
CAMPUS
Video: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Delivers Special Lecture at UT Austin
Watch Video »
Dell Medical
CAMPUS
Michael and Susan Dell Surpass $1 Billion in Giving to UT Austin 
Read More »
Share your feedback
The Faculty Update is a bi-weekly newsletter. Please contact provost.office@utexas.edu for more information. 
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