Interfolio Frequently Asked Questions

About Interfolio

Why is NIU implementing Interfolio RPT?

NIU is adopting Interfolio RPT to improve efficiency, transparency and consistency in faculty review processes. By replacing paper-based workflows, the system provides a secure, centralized platform that aligns with the university’s changes to promotion and tenure bylaws. Interfolio RPT streamlines the review process, reducing administrative burden and improving data security. It also simplifies the management of external reviews, ensuring a seamless and modernized approach. NIU joins a growing number of 500+ institutions that use Interfolio RPT to support fair, clear, and efficient faculty evaluations.

Are promotion and tenure requirements changing at NIU?

No, requirements are not changing for promotion and tenure consideration at NIU. You are only required to submit the materials outlined in your department or school bylaws and follow the usual submission timeline established by your department.

We are simply updating the medium for doing so through Interfolio to streamline workflows while enhancing security, ensuring compliance with evolving guidelines and reducing administrative burden. The goal is for our faculty and staff to be able to focus more on their teaching, research and service.

How do I access Interfolio RPT?

Faculty, committee members, and administrators can log in via the Interfolio portal by searching for Northern Illinois University and then entering their institutional credentials (NIU Account ID and password) when prompted.

Faculty Candidates

How do I express my intention to seek promotion and/or tenure? Updated

The Office of the Provost is requesting that you submit this form if you intend to seek promotion and/or tenure for the 2026-2027 academic year.

We will communicate this initial intent with case managers in your unit to assist in their preparations. However, completing this form is not a substitute for your unit-level processes, and your submission neither prohibits nor precludes your 2026-2027 application. If you are uncertain about applying for promotion and tenure in 2026-2027, go ahead and submit this form.

Your submitted notification helps ensure that the Office of the Provost includes you in all targeted communications and support as you prepare your application. In addition, it will help to prioritize college-level specification of the application templates in Interfolio for the upcoming 2026-2027 year. General information about Interfolio at NIU is available here.

If you are not seeking promotion and/or tenure in this cycle, no action is required. Please refer to your department or school bylaws for the usual submission timeline and specified criteria.

How can I preview what my packet template will look like in Interfolio before my case is created?

You can not only find an introduction to NIU faculty promotion and tenure packet templates, but after you login to Interfolio with your NIU username and password you can navigate to a preview of the various packet templates in the system.

  1. Click the arrow beside your name in the upper right corner and then click Interfolio Dossier
  2. Click Collections
  3. Click Guidelines
  4. Under Search for Guidelines, click Select a unit and then Northern Illinois University

Where do I upload the documents to share with external reviewers?

Faculty candidates submitting their promotion and tenure packet in Interfolio RPT should upload the documents intended for external reviewers to the section labeled "Candidate Documents for External Evaluation." This section is specifically designated for materials that will be shared with external reviewers as part of the review process.

To upload your documents:

  1. Log in to Interfolio RPT.
  2. Navigate to your Promotion and Tenure case under "Your Packets."
  3. Locate the section titled "Candidate Documents for External Evaluation."
  4. Click "Add File" to upload the appropriate materials.

If you have questions about what to include, please contact your department chair for guidance.

Committee Members

Can I download case materials to view offline?
Yes, case downloads are enabled at NIU. Downloads are permitted for the entire packet, meaning all materials—excluding videos and web links—can be downloaded either as a ZIP file or a PDF. Committee members can also download individual documents or all documents together directly from the document reader. Learn more here: Download Case Materials.

Committee Managers (Department Chairs and Review Coordinators)

Why does the committee form for a promotion and tenure candidate only show options for promotion and not tenure (or vice versa)? What if both promotion and tenure options are showing, but the candidate is only applying for promotion?

This usually happens if the incorrect case template was used when setting up the candidate’s case in Interfolio. Committee forms are tied to the case template, which determines whether the options for promotion, tenure, or both appear.

If you notice a mismatch, please check with your college case manager to confirm that the correct case template was applied. If it was not, the case manager can update the case forms to ensure the appropriate options are available for recording committee recommendations and vote tallies (whether for promotion, tenure, or both).

Case Managers (College/University-Level Administrators)

What should I do if I used the incorrect template when creating a case?

If you realize that the wrong case template was used when creating a candidate’s case, do not attempt to correct it on your own. Please email interfolio@niu.edu for assistance from the NIU Interfolio team. They will help ensure that the correct forms and settings are applied so the case is properly configured.

To avoid delays in the review process, we recommend reaching out as early as possible if you suspect a template error.

Have more questions?

Email interfolio@niu.edu and a member of our Interfolio at NIU team will be back in touch as soon as possible!

Log In to Interfolio

Note: You must log in using your NIU Account ID and password.

Get Help

Interfolio Scholar Services

Call, email, or chat with the Interfolio Scholar Services team with any technical questions. Live support is available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. CT.

833-844-2118 
interfolio-support@elsevier.com

Interfolio at NIU

Email the Interfolio at NIU team with any questions about the faculty promotion and tenure submission and review process using Interfolio.

interfolio@niu.edu