The Open Research Community Accelerator (ORCA) in partnership with the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, announced today that Round 2 of the MA3 Challenge is now open and accepting applications for up to six new awardees. Applications will close on January 8, 2027.

The Open Research Community Accelerator (ORCA) in partnership with the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, announced today that six universities have been awarded $250,000 as part of the inaugural Modernizing Academic Appointment & Advancement (MA3) Challenge. This new cohort of university awardees will implement bold institutional reforms to faculty hiring, evaluation, promotion, and tenure systems.