The College of Engineering launched the Neil Armstrong Distinguished Visiting Professors (NADVP) program in 2019 to bring highly accomplished and recognized scholars and practitioners to Purdue Engineering to catalyze collaborations that can lead to increased impact and visibility for our faculty, schools/divisions, and college.
Eligibility: Individuals who have been recognized for their impact and achievements in engineering or related disciplines at a level comparable to membership in the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine are eligible to become NADVPs. NADVPs will collaborate with Purdue Engineering faculty members on research projects, and/or on broader School or College priorities, including new research directions, industry engagement, and on-campus and online educational efforts. The hosting unit is expected to organize high-visibility colloquia/workshops during the visit of the NADVP.
Each NADVP collaborates with one or more faculty hosts who help shape the visit around mutual areas of interest. Hosting Schools are also encouraged to organize high-visibility events such as workshops, public lectures, or colloquia that showcase the NADVP’s work and build broader academic and industry connections. Please note that nominees are not supposed to know of their nomination, although the nominators should have a general sense that the nominees, if invited, will have a reasonable chance of accepting the invitation.
Period of visitation: The cumulative duration of the appointment will be between a minimum of one month to a maximum of three months and can be undertaken in the course of multiple visits beginning in the summer or fall of 2026 but must be completed within three years. Exceptions to this visitation period will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A standard visit is expected to be one month per year over three years.
Benefits: The College will provide (a) a competitive salary/compensation to the NADVP plus eligible benefits during their stay, and (b) $5,000 in direct costs to the host faculty member(s) per month of the NADVP’s visit to offset collaboration costs during the visit (S&E costs and/or student/postdoc salary).
The hosting unit/faculty will provide (c) funds for travel and lodging for the NADVP, (d) funds as needed in support of the collaboration (e.g., to bring along a graduate student, postdoc, or colleague, or to host a workshop at Purdue), and (e) office space and clerical/IT support for the NADVP.
For selected nominees, host faculty are encouraged to follow the outlined responsibilities and refer to the Office of Academic Affairs’ support, as outlined in the organizational sheet for planning.
Submission deadline: Friday, October 24, 2025
Launched in 2018, the Purdue Engineering Distinguished Lecture Series (PEDLS) brings world-renowned faculty and professionals to the Purdue College of Engineering. The series is designed to foster thought-provoking conversations and generate innovative ideas among Purdue’s faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates, particularly around the grand challenges and emerging opportunities in engineering and related disciplines.
PEDLS speakers are invited based on their status as international leaders and their outstanding professional achievements. Each visit includes:
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A Distinguished Public Lecture: A high-profile presentation delivered to a broad audience of faculty, students, and staff, aimed at stimulating intellectual engagement and interdisciplinary dialogue.
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Interactive Panel Discussions: A collaborative forum featuring the invited speaker alongside Purdue faculty and other thought leaders. These discussions focus on key challenges and advancements in the speaker’s field, providing valuable insights and fostering cross-disciplinary connections.
We welcome nominations of exceptional individuals whose expertise and vision can inspire and elevate the Purdue Engineering community.
For selected nominees, host faculty are encouraged to follow the outlined responsibilities and refer to the Office of Academic Affairs’ support, as outlined in the organizational sheet for planning.
Submission deadline: Friday, September 5, 2025
The Purdue Engineering Frontiers Lecture Series (PEFLS) hosts world-renowned faculty and engineering leaders who stimulate thought-provoking conversations and the sharing of ideas with faculty and students regarding the grand challenges and opportunities in their fields.
Key features of the lecture series:
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Focus on thought-provoking conversations: The lectures aim to stimulate discussion and idea sharing among faculty and students.
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World-renowned speakers: The series attracts leading experts and engineering leaders in their fields.
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Emphasis on timely and important topics: The lectures are designed to address current and relevant issues.
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Complementary to the distinguished lecture series: While the distinguished lecture series is planned in advance, the Frontiers lecture series allows for taking advantage of opportunities that may arise on short notice.
For selected nominees, host faculty are encouraged to follow the outlined responsibilities and refer to the Office of Academic Affairs’ support, as outlined in the organizational sheet for planning.
How to submit a nomination
To submit a nomination for consideration, please complete the application form. For any questions or concerns about the programs, please contact Kathy Heath heathk@purdue.edu or Alexandra Jordanov ajordano@purdue.edu
