Abstract
This article critiques the growing emphasis on grant funding as a measure of faculty productivity in promotion and tenure evaluations. It describes how increasing administrative pressure to pursue grants risks narrowing definitions of scholarship, privileging fundable projects, and undervaluing significant research that may not attract external support. The discussion highlights tensions between academic values and financial imperatives, noting how reliance on funding can distort research priorities, create inequities across disciplines, and reduce attention to teaching and intellectual development. Examples illustrate the consequences of equating grantsmanship with research excellence, including a shift toward projects designed primarily for fundability. The article argues that grants should be evaluated as service contributions supporting the university community, while the research they enable must be judged on scholarly merit. It concludes that maintaining balance between financial support and academic purpose is essential to preserve the integrity of higher education.
Recommended Citation
Appleby, David
(1989)
"Evaluating Grant in the Promotion and Tenure Process: The Perspective of a Faculty Member,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 67, Article 8.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol67/iss1/8
