Interfolio RPT is an online platform that streamlines faculty review processes, including promotion, tenure, and annual reviews. It allows candidates to submit materials, committees to review cases and administrators to manage workflows efficiently.
Interfolio at NIU
Northern Illinois University has begun a phased implementation of the Interfolio Review, Promotion and Tenure (RPT) system for managing promotion and tenure processes for the 2025-2026 cycle. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the support we provide to faculty, department chairs and deans during the promotion and tenure process.
To meet that commitment, the Office of the Provost has collaborated closely with Interfolio to align their web-based application with NIU’s established faculty promotion and tenure practices. This system not only streamlines workflows but also enhances security, ensures compliance with evolving guidelines and reduces administrative burden—allowing faculty and staff to focus on their teaching, research and service. NIU joins a growing number of 500+ institutions, in adopting Interfolio RPT to support a more effective and equitable review process.
Faculty members preparing for promotion and tenure during the 2025-2026 cycle will be the first cohort to utilize this improved system. We are confident that this change will streamline the process and enhance the overall experience for all involved. Learn more about Interfolio.
If you intend to seek promotion and/or tenure in the 2025-2026 cycle, please complete and submit this form to notify the Office of the Provost. Thank you!
It's important to note that no requirements are changing for promotion and tenure consideration at NIU with the implementation of the Interfolio system. You should submit the materials already required in your department’s bylaws and follow the usual submission timeline established by your department.
Faculty Candidates
Faculty candidates include those being considered for promotion to associate professor with or without tenure and those who are seeking promotion from associate professor to full professor.
Committee Members
Members of a department, school, college or university Faculty Senate Personnel Committee who are responsible for reviewing a faculty candidate's promotion and/or tenure case.
Committee Managers
Department chairs, school directors, deans, and administrative staff who are responsible for completing internal requirements on a faculty candidate's promotion and/or tenure case.
Case Managers
Administrative staff who are responsible for moving a faculty promotion and/or tenure case either backward or forward after a committee has finished reviewing.
Interfolio System Training
To supplement available self-paced training, live NIU-specific Interfolio training is being scheduled for those who will be using the Interfolio system during the 2025-2026 cycle. Currently available details for the first of these trainings are provided below and recordings will be posted for on-demand viewing.
Case Manager Training
This training session is for NIU administrative staff who are responsible for managing the promotion and tenure review process for their college and/or academic department and covers the details for creating and managing promotion and/or tenure review cases in the Interfolio system.
Audience: Case Manager
This training was offered Wednesday, March 19, 2025 and the recording is available for on-demand viewing.
Faculty Candidate Training
This training session is for NIU faculty members preparing for promotion and/or tenure review during the 2025-2026 cycle and introduces the system, templates and the process for faculty candidates to prepare and submit their promotion and/or tenure packet electronically via Interfolio.
Audience: Faculty Candidate
This training was offered Monday, March 31, 2025 and the recording is available for on-demand viewing.
Department Chair Training
This training session is for NIU department chairs and school directors for promotion and/or tenure review using Interfolio and covers how to request external evaluations for faculty applying for promotion and/or tenure during the upcoming cycle 2025-2026 review cycle.
Audience: Committee Manager
This training was offered Wednesday, April 2, 2025 and the recording is available for on-demand viewing.
Committee Member Training
This training session is for NIU personnel committee members reviewing faculty promotion and tenure cases during the 2025-2026 cycle.
Audience: Committee Member
This training was first offered Thursday, August 22, 2025 and a recording is available for on-demand viewing.
Interfolio Getting Started Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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.
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.
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.
Currently, on-demand training resources are available, including Interfolio’s help guides and interactive training courses.
Live NIU-specific Interfolio training is being scheduled for those who will be using the system during the 2025-2026 cycle. Find more details here.
You can access Interfolio’s support resources, including user guides and interactive training courses, curated on the Interfolio at NIU support website and through the Interfolio Product Help Center. These materials cover key functions for faculty, committee members and administrators.
Yes, NIU-specific training sessions and documentation will be introduced later this year to align with institutional processes. The first of these sessions, for case managers and faculty candidates, are being scheduled. See available training details to learn more and stay up-to-date.
Email the Interfolio at NIU team interfolio@niu.edu with your questions.
Interfolio Scholar Services is available for live support Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. CT. You can call, email, or chat with any technical questions at 833-844-2118 or interfolio-support@elsevier.com.
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.