The title of Institute professor is an honor bestowed by the Faculty and Administration of MIT on a faculty colleague who has demonstrated exceptional distinction by a combination of leadership, accomplishment, and service in the scholarly, educational, and general intellectual life of the Institute or wider academic community.
At MIT, institute professors are granted a unique level of freedom and flexibility to pursue their research and teaching interests without regular departmental or school responsibilities; they report only to the provost.
The final determination is made based upon recommendations from professionals in the nominee's field.
The case is then reviewed again by the Academic Council and approved by the executive committee of the MIT Corporation.
[1] The position was created by President James R. Killian in 1951, and John C. Slater was the first to hold the title.