Transitions Program

ADVANCE at WSU recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance for the career advancement of faculty. The Transitions Program provides short-term assistance for eligible faculty in the midst of major life events (e.g., significant personal medical illness, family illness) for which existing work-life policies and university resources may not adequately prevent delays in career advancement.

Support may be offered for up to two semesters for the faculty member. Examples of support that the program provides include funds for a Research Assistant to assist with managing laboratory work; a Teaching Assistant to assist with instruction in the classroom. Applicants are encouraged to seek a contribution from their department and/or college and that it be reflected in the proposal. 

The Transitions Program complements tenure-clock extension. Please see the Faculty Policies and Procedure handbook for WSU policies and programs that assist with work-life balance, including leave policies, eldercare, and childcare. Further information about legal consultation, financial counseling services, and mental health resources are available at the Employee Assistance Program website.

Dr. Joanna L. Kelley featured, photo by Kate Jennings Photography

For questions, please contact:

We are now accepting applications.

Priority deadline for submissions is March 15th, 2026.

“I requested this funding at a time when I was in great need of support. I had a small infant who was not sleeping at night, a class to teach, and a new very large grant which began in March 2011.  I was not able to sustain all of these activities and do them well. The Advance Transitions grant program provided me with funding to buy out the remainder of the course I was teaching, from Spring break until the end of the term.  This relief in my job responsibilities offered me the breathing space to get the grant off the ground. As a result, the grant is now thriving and has proven to be very productive to date. My ability to focus on the grant at a critical time for the research, was substantially enhanced by the Transitions Grant.”

– Dr. Cheryl Schultz, Biological Sciences