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About M-PACT

The Michigan Program for Advancing Cultural Transformation (M-PACT) is a federally funded, university-wide faculty initiative. It aims to drive transformative research, life-changing teaching, and accessible clinical care that will support the health of all, including communities who have been underserved. By partnering with faculty throughout their careers, M-PACT strengthens the capacity of those who serve as catalysts for change in academic and healthcare environments.

Utilizing a cohort-based model for hiring and retention, M-PACT partners with eleven schools and colleges in the biomedical and health sciences and offers comprehensive career development for faculty. Our program provides robust mentorship and sponsorship, cultivates leadership skills, and prepares both mentors and mentees to excel as future leaders and force multipliers across the biomedical and health sciences. 

The participating units include: 

  • School of Dentistry
  • College of Engineering
  • Institute for Social Research
  • School of Kinesiology
  • Life Sciences Institute
  • College of Literature, Science & the Arts
  • Medical School
  • School of Nursing
  • College of Pharmacy
  • School of Public Health
  • School of Social Work

We are committed to ongoing, evidence-backed program evaluation in order to continuously refine, expand, and share our impact—across the University of Michigan and beyond.

New tenure-track faculty who are hired under this program will receive the following:

  • Formal mentoring experiences related to becoming an effective and productive researcher in their field, obtaining NIH funding, and becoming a developmentally appropriate catalyst for change.
  • Formal sponsor-mentor relationships with senior scholars outside of their unit/department.
  • Training to help scholars effectively engage and utilize existing resources and support that are offered at the department/unit level.
  • Guidance through the myriad resources and support that are widely offered to faculty at the university-level.
  • Introductions to broader networks of faculty across the university with similar commitments to the promotion of inclusive excellence in order to facilitate a greater sense of community for themselves and their families.

2025-26 Hiring Units and Application Deadlines

School of Dentistry: Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics (BMSP) - Application deadline: Rolling until position is filled

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry (UMSD) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the areas of biomedical sciences at the Assistant Professor level.

We are seeking enthusiastic early-stage scientists who use cutting-edge approaches to advance the field of biomedical sciences and who are committed to joining our vibrant, burgeoning research community. This search is aimed at adding to the existing research strengths within the BMSP Department and School of Dentistry, and is open to a broad range of research topics and approaches, including basic, translational, and clinical research. The School of Dentistry is a highly multidisciplinary and collaborative environment.

Candidates are required to have both a PhD and clinical dental degree (DDS, BDS, DMD or equivalent). In addition, candidates need to be eligible for the Michigan Program for Advancing Cultural Transformation (M-PACT), a program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (NIH FIRST) initiative. M-PACT provides robust mentorship and sponsorship, cultivates leadership skills, and prepares both mentors and mentees to excel as future leaders across the biomedical and health sciences. M-PACT is restricted to candidates who have never held a tenure-track faculty appointment at an institution of higher education and are eligible for Early Stage Investigator Status for NIH grants. M-PACT scholars must have a demonstrated commitment and plan to promote health equity for all through their scholarship, teaching/mentor, and/or service activity.

Exceptional candidates will have demonstrated an ability (or strong potential) in obtaining independent grant funding. Candidates should demonstrate an interest in developing strong, productive interactions with faculty colleagues; the ability to add intellectual diversity; and the ability to work successfully with and mentor broadly diverse students/colleagues. Candidates should demonstrate the potential for or experience with leadership in research and professional activities, participation in collaborative and interdisciplinary initiatives, and service to the College, University, and broader academic community.

We welcome applications from outstanding scientists in any area of biomedical sciences complementary to existing expertise at the University of Michigan. Candidates with interests in social and cultural health disparities in biomedical sciences are also encouraged to apply.

Applicants should submit the following via the secure Interfolio portal:

  • Cover Letter indicating your interest in this faculty position (up to 2 Pages) 
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • M-PACT Statement (up to 3 pages)
  • Research Statement (3 pages)
  • Teaching Statement (1 page)
  • Service Statement (1 page)
  • Names of Three References

Questions regarding the position and responsibilities should be directed to both search committee co-chairs, Dr. Junichi Iwata ([email protected]) and Dr. Lauren Surface ([email protected]). For questions regarding the application or search process, please contact administrative support staff, Melanie LaPointe ([email protected]).

Applications will be accepted and evaluated on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. To optimize your chances, please apply as soon as possible. The search committee plans to begin reviewing applications on April 10, 2026.

Employment is contingent on the successful completion of a criminal background check and may involve an institutional reference check regarding misconduct. Applicants may also be required to complete a self-disclosure form and an authorization to release information..

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Application Process

Part 1: Complete the online InfoReady application

  • Cover Letter & Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • Include a 1-2 page cover letter with your current CV
  • Research Statement:
    • Research/scholarship proposal that outlines your scholarly work and includes your research plan for the program period. For applications to the Department of Clinical Pharmacy, research statements must include a description of 3 future research projects (no more than 5 pages total).
  • M-PACT Statement
    • A statement of no more than 3 pages as a single .pdf document that describes your record of past experiences and accomplishments related to addressing issues related to inequities in health outcomes including risk, disease progression, outcomes, and service as well as your future plans to address health equity issues through your scholarship/research, teaching/mentoring, and/or service/engagement throughout your career. To the best of your ability, please briefly describe how you plan to work towards greater health equity in your research, teaching, and/or service activities specifically at the University of Michigan. All selections will be made solely on the basis of applicants’ professional experiences, qualifications, and demonstrated achievements. In keeping with federal and university policy, personal identity characteristics—such as race, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation—will not be considered at any stage of the hiring or selection process.
  • Teaching Statement
    • Teaching statement that describes your teaching philosophy, which may incorporate experience from formal or informal teaching and mentoring. The statement should be no more than 3 pages (singled-space).
  • Service Statement
    • Discuss your involvement and contributions to your University at the department, college, and/or University levels, in your profession (national, disciplinary service) and any involvement in community service that is related to your disciplinary expertise. The statement should be no more than 3 pages (singled-space).
  • Reprint or pre-prints of articles or manuscripts
    • Please upload a maximum of 5 articles or papers that best exemplify your research interests, acumen, and/or proposed areas of study. Examples include published or unpublished research papers, journal articles, dissertation chapters.
  • Letters of recommendation
    • You are required to have at least three (3) reference letters but may request submission of up to four (4) letters of recommendation from individuals who can thoughtfully attest to your qualities and qualifications as a candidate for a tenure-track position at the University of Michigan. You will be asked to provide email addresses for letter writers and they will be contacted and provided up to 2 weeks to submit the letters.

The University of Michigan is committed to accessibility. If you have any problems completing this application, please contact [email protected]

The University of Michigan, including the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint campuses as well as Michigan Medicine, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following addresses some of the more commonly asked questions about the M-PACT Program. If you have a question about the program that is not adequately answered by the FAQs, please email your inquiry to [email protected].

Do I have to be a member of an underrepresented group to apply for this fellowship?

No. The program is open to all persons who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, or other identity characteristics.

What academic disciplines are allowable for applicants?

Academic departments and units partnering with the M-PACT Program are listed on the main program page under “Participating Units.” Each year different departments and units have openings. Be sure to check on an annual basis to see which units are hiring.

If I have applied for another fellowship or faculty position at the University of Michigan, can I still apply?

The University of Michigan has numerous postdoctoral fellowship programs and open faculty positions. If you have applied to another program or position, you may still apply to the M-PACT Program, but you must disclose this on the application.

Can I still be considered if I do not have US citizenship or permanent residency?

Yes, provided that you can demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

I'm an assistant professor. Can I still apply?

M-PACT is a program for individuals who do not currently have and have never had a tenure-track faculty appointment. Candidates who currently have or ever had a tenure-track appointment are NOT eligible for the program. 

I received my PhD over five years ago. Am I still eligible to apply for this fellowship?

Yes, as long as you have never held a tenure-track faculty position at a University and are eligible for Early Stage Investigator status.

I will finish my doctorate after July 1 of next year. Am I still eligible to apply this fall?

Applicants must complete their doctoral or terminal degree by July 1, 2026.

What academic programs are participating in MPACT and hiring this year?

See the full list of academic programs and application due dates at the top of this page.

Should my materials be single-spaced or double-spaced?

Most applications are single-spaced (or between 1.0 and 1.5) with breaks between paragraphs. Please ensure that your formatting makes it easy for reviewers to read.

Are there sample applications available for review?

No, though we do provide guidance on writing research, diversity, and teaching statements that include your demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage you to read our guidelines on these statements. There are many variations on successful applications. Applicants are encouraged to consult with their academic advisors or mentors about how to submit a competitive application.

Should I send my graduate transcripts along with my online application?

No. The program does not require transcripts to be sent with the application. However, the program will request official graduate transcripts if you are selected as a finalist and will not offer you a fellowship unless official graduate transcripts are received and deemed satisfactory.

Should I submit separate applications for each School, College or Institute I wish to apply for?

There is no need to submit separate applications to the M-PACT Program if there are multiple units with a hiring effort during an application cycle. If multiple units are hiring, there will be an option for you to select up to 3 hiring units within the application, depending on the number of units hiring.

Can I submit separate materials for each unit I am applying for?

You are only permitted to upload one single document per application requirement (ie, cover letter or research statement). So if you wish to tailor your materials to individual units, one way to do that would be to submit one single document with all of your materials in a single .pdf for that particular application requirement. We suggest adding a cover page listing the respective unit’s document so it is clear that you are including multiple statements and which unit it is intended for. You should still adhere to any page requirements for each of the specific documents you tailor to each unit, not counting the cover page.

If applications are accepted until positions are filled, when is the deadline?

Rolling application deadlines can end anytime, so it is best to apply sooner than later.

When submitting the application, will letter writers be contacted immediately for a letter of recommendation?

An applicant should send the request through the InfoReady portal as soon as possible. It is not advisable to delay a request for a letter of recommendation.

How will applicants receive updates regarding next steps after submission?

The hiring committee of the School, College or Institute will contact you should you advance to the next stage of the application process.