External Research Funding Opportunities
The funding opportunities listed below address postdoctoral funding. This list is not exhaustive. The links will be reviewed and updated annually.
US Citizens and Permanent Residents
AAUW Research Publication Grants in Engineering, Medicine and Science help women overcome barriers by funding research projects that will culminate in scholarly publications. They are open to women scholars conducting basic research in engineering, medicine or the physical or biological sciences and who have a doctorate degree in one of those fields. The grantee must publish their research in a scholarly publication and be listed as a primary author.
AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowships sponsors a 10-week summer program that places science, engineering, and mathematics students at media organizations nationwide. Fellows use their academic training as they research, write, and report today’s headlines, sharpening their abilities to communicate complex scientific issues to the public.
AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships provide opportunities to outstanding scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about policymaking and contribute their knowledge and analytical skills in the policy realm. Fellows serve year-long assignments in the federal government and represent a broad range of backgrounds, disciplines, and career stages. Each year, STPF adds to a growing corps nearly 4,000 strong of policy-savvy leaders working across academia, government, nonprofits, and industry to serve the nation and citizens around the world.
American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowships support new investigators in research training programs to position them for independent careers in cancer research. As part of their evaluation, peer reviewers consider how well the fellowship will broaden the applicant’s research training and experience. Awards are for up to three years with recently increased progressive stipends of $52,000, $54,000, and $56,000 a year. Depending on availability of special endowment funds, the American Cancer Society annually selects one or more of the top-ranked fellowships to be supplemented above the standard stipend.
More information about American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowships
USDA_NIFA Advancing Science Postdoctoral Fellowship focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The program educates professionals to lead agriculture into the future by solving current and future challenges facing our society.
USDA National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Grants Program Funding Opportunity (NNF) is designated for graduate degree (master's and doctoral) programs and postgraduate training of the next generation of policy makers, researchers, and educators in the food and agricultural sciences.
Gerber Foundation Novice Research Award are limited to no more than $30,000 in total (inclusive of indirect). They are identified by the amount requested in the application. Applicants who hold or have received a K01 award from the National Institutes of Health are not eligible to apply to the Gerber Foundation under this program. Projects need to be under the guidance of a mentor. The qualifications and experience of the mentor will be a consideration during evaluation of the application.
More information about Gerber Foundation Novice Research Award
L’Oréal USA Fellowships for Women in Science awards five women postdoctoral scientists annually with grants of $60,000 each for their contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields and commitment to serving as role models for younger generations. The program was created out of a simple belief: the world needs science and science needs women because women in science have the power to change the world.
More information about L’Oréal USA Fellowships for Women in Science
NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Awards (F32) enhance the research training of promising postdoctoral candidates who have the potential to become productive, independent investigators in scientific health-related research fields relevant to the missions of the participating NIH institutes and centers.
NSF Division of Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF) are presented to recent recipients of doctoral degrees to conduct an integrated program of independent research and professional development. Fellowship proposals must address scientific questions within the scope of the division’s disciplinary programs and must align with the overall theme for the postdoctoral program.
NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) are awarded to recent recipients of the doctoral degree for research and training in selected areas supported by BIO and with special goals for human resource development in biology. For applications under this solicitation, these areas are Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology, Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interactions Between Genomes, Environment and Phenotypes, and Plant Genome Postdoctoral Research Fellowships.
NSF Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships encourage independence early in the fellow's career through supporting his or her research and training goals. The research and training plan of each fellowship must address important scientific questions within the scope of the SBE Directorate and the specific guidelines in this solicitation. The SPRF program offers two tracks: Fundamental Research in the SBE Sciences (SPRF-FR) and Broadening Participation in the SBE Sciences (SPRF-BP).
Funding: No Citizenship Requirements
AAA Education Research Scholarship supports a member who is a graduate student in a mentored project, or a postdoctoral fellow or junior faculty member (rank no higher than assistant professor) who wishes to develop a project that shows promise as a model for improving the quality of teaching and learning in anatomical education. An applicant must be a member for the year in which they apply and through the completion of their scholarship project. Recipients are expected to submit an abstract to the association’s annual meeting. Includes travel support (up to $1,500) and registration fee to the next appropriate annual meeting. Applications are reviewed by the Educational Affairs Committee.
More information about American Association of Anatomists Education Research Scholarship
AAA Postdoctoral Fellowship provides salary support to an association member who is a postdoctoral trainee working in any aspect of biology relevant to the anatomical sciences. Fellowships are divided into two basic science postdoctoral awards each year and up to one education research postdoctoral award.
More information about American Association of Anatomists Postdoctoral Fellowship
American Educational Research Association Research Grants Program provides research grants to faculty at institutions of higher education, postdoctoral researchers, and other doctoral level scholars. The program supports highly competitive studies using rigorous quantitative methods to examine large-scale, education-related data. The program encourages the use of major data sets from multiple and diverse sources. It emphasizes the advanced statistical analysis of data sets from the US Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, the National Science Foundation, and other federal agencies.
Applicants may be US citizens or US permanent residents. Non-US citizens affiliated with a US university or institution are also eligible to apply.
More information about American Educational Research Association Research Grants Program
American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship is designed to enhance the training of postdoctoral applicants who are not yet independent. The applicant must be embedded in an appropriate investigative group with the mentorship, support, and relevant scientific guidance of a research mentor. Recognizing the unique challenges that clinicians experience in balancing research and clinical activity, this award mechanism aims to be as flexible as possible to enable applicants to develop academic careers in research while fulfilling clinical-service commitments.
More information about American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship
American Psychological Foundation Bruce and Jane Walsh Grant in Memory of John Holland supports scientific, scholarly, or applied research and/or educational activities investigating how personality, culture, and environment influence work behavior and health (mental and physical). Preference will be given to early career psychologists (10 years or less postdoctoral), and pilot projects that, if successful, would be strong candidates for support from major federal and foundation funding agencies, and "demonstration projects" that promise to generalize broadly to similar settings in other geographical areas and/or to other settings.
American Psychological Foundation Steven O. Walfish Grants are supported by the American Psychological Association's Division 42 Next Generation Fund. They promote and support the next generation of student and early career practitioner psychologists to expand the knowledge base in the practice of psychology. Applicants are required to submit manuscripts on clinical, practical, or research innovations that address evolving standards, practices, and methods in psychological practice. Topics may include population‐based practice issues, procedure or technique‐based practice issues, diagnosis‐based practice issues, or service delivery models describing a practice innovation.
More information about American Psychological Foundation Steven O. Walfish Grants
ASMS Postdoctoral Career Development Awards program presents up to five awards of $5,000 each. The purpose of the award is to promote the professional career development of postdoctoral fellows in the field of mass spectrometry. Activities envisioned for this award include, but are not limited to, conference and workshop attendance, travel to other mass spectrometry laboratories, and purchase of personal professional items such as books, software, or laptops. Deadline to apply is November 30.
More information about American Society for Mass Spectrometry Postdoctoral Career Development Awards
Argonne Fellowship Opportunities are awarded internationally to outstanding doctoral scientists and engineers who are at early points in promising careers. Five fellowship applications are found on the website.
Cancer Research Institute Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides critical financial support and continued career training to the most promising young scientists in basic and tumor immunology as part of our lifesaving work in cancer immunotherapy research. The institute recognizes that getting to the next great breakthrough in cancer treatment will require continued investment in fundamental research and training. The institute therefore invites postdoctoral fellows working in both fundamental immunology and tumor immunology to apply for funding.
More information about Cancer Research Institute Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. Career Development Awards are mentored awards intended to facilitate the development of individuals with research potential to prepare for a career of independent basic research investigation in the area of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This three-year grant, in partnership with the NASPGHAN Foundation and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, is available to research fellows or junior faculty. Applications must propose original translational, epidemiological, or basic scientific research related to pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
More information about Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. Career Development Awards
Research Fellowship Awards are intended to support individuals in the post-doctoral phase of their career, to develop skills related to basic research investigation in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This three-year grant, in partnership with the NASPGHAN Foundation and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, is available to research fellows or junior faculty. Applications must propose original translational, epidemiological, or basic scientific research related to pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. Career Development Awards are mentored awards intended to facilitate the development of individuals with research potential to prepare for a career of independent basic research investigation in the area of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This three-year grant, in partnership with the NASPGHAN Foundation and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, is available to research fellows or junior faculty. Applications must propose original translational, epidemiological, or basic scientific research related to pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. Research Fellowship Awards are intended to support individuals in the post-doctoral phase of their career, to develop skills related to basic research investigation in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This three-year grant, in partnership with the NASPGHAN Foundation and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, is available to research fellows or junior faculty. Applications must propose original translational, epidemiological, or basic scientific research related to pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
More information about Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. Research Fellowship Awards
The DOD's Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program offers nationally competitive fellowship awards to postdoctoral and senior scientists to perform collaborative research at US Air Force research facilities across the country. Since 1966, the Air Force S&T Enterprise has hosted over 1,000 fellows under the NRC Research Associateship Programs and many of these researchers have gone on to successful careers in government laboratories. The Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program continues this tradition of providing high quality research opportunities with Air Force scientists and engineers at Air Force Research Laboratory, the Air Force Institute of Technology, and the US Air Force Academy.
CITIZENSHIP requirement varies per federal laboratory sponsorship.
More information about Department of Defense—Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program
ARL Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships provide the opportunity for recipients to pursue independent research of their own choosing that supports the mission of ARL. Fellows benefits by having this opportunity and by working alongside some of the nation's best scientists and engineers. ARL benefits by the expected transfer of new science and technology that enhances the capabilities of the US Army and the warfighter in times of both peace and war.
The Leona Woods Distinguished Postdoctoral Lectureship Award is sponsored by the BNL physics department to celebrate the scientific accomplishments of outstanding female physicists, physicists from under-represented minority groups, and LGBTQ physicists, and to promote diversity and inclusion in our department. Lecturers will visit BNL for at least a week and give a general interest colloquium and a technical talk in their area of expertise. The laboratory will provide travel and local support with a $1,000 honorarium.
Dravet Syndrome Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants are designed to support early-career researchers under the mentorship of an independent investigator. These fellowships are awarded to qualified applicants whose proposed projects investigate hypotheses directly related to Dravet syndrome. Grants are awarded for $75,000 (beginning January 1 of each year), intended to support a full-time research effort with salary and benefits (no indirect costs). Applicants should ensure their proposed project addresses the needs of the Dravet syndrome community and DSF’s mission to support research toward better treatments and a cure for Dravet syndrome.
More information about Dravet Syndrome Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants
EMBO postdoctoral fellowships support excellent postdoctoral researchers throughout Europe and the world for a period of up to two years. International mobility is a key requirement. The fellowship includes a salary or stipend, a relocation allowance and support for fellows with children. Awardees can attend an EMBO Laboratory Leadership course and become part of the global network of EMBO Fellows. Five additional EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships are reserved for researchers applying to work in one of the following countries: Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, and Turkey. In addition, an interview by an EMBO member or Young Investigator is now guaranteed to the researchers applying to work in those countries, provided their application passes initial screening for overall quality. These will thereby enter the final shortlist for consideration by the Fellowship Committee.
More information about European Molecular Biological Organization
Glenn Foundation for Medical Research Postdoctoral Fellowships in Aging Research encourages and furthers the careers of postdoctoral fellows who are conducting research in the basic biology of aging, as well as translating advances in basic research from the laboratory to the clinic. The award is intended to provide significant research and training support to permit these postdoctoral fellows to become established in the field of aging. The applicant must be a postdoctoral fellow (medical degree and/or PhD or equivalent) at the start date of the award.
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (Biological or Medical Research) provide financial support of sufficient duration to help further the careers of young men and women engaged in biological or medical research. The Whitney Fellowship is for a period of three years, contingent on performance satisfactory to the foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee. One- and two-year fellowships are not considered.
NPP offers unique research opportunities to highly talented US and non-US scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one-to-three year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.
The purpose of this program is to support exceptional investigators who wish to pursue independent research directly after completion of their terminal doctoral/research degree or clinical residency, thereby forgoing the traditional post-doctoral training period and accelerating their entry into an independent research career.
More information about National Institutes of Health—Early Independence Awards (DP5)
This program provides administrative supplements intended to help increase the numbers of underrepresented scientists in biomedical and behavioral research. Funding is provided to existing NIH research grants to support an underrepresented minority, disabled or disadvantaged student or investigator, who wants to pursue a career in the biomedical or behavioral research sciences. The program supports individuals at the high school, undergraduate, predoctoral (graduate), postdoctoral and investigator levels. This information applies to applications requesting research supplements to active NIAAA grants only.
NIH's Pathway to Independence Awards (K99/R00) program increases and maintains a strong cohort of new and talented, NIH-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers or clinician-scientists from mentored research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions, and to provide independent NIH research support during the transition that will help these individuals launch competitive, independent research careers.
More information about National Institutes of Health— Pathway to Independence Awards (K99/R00)
The NIH Postdoctoral Intramural Research Training Awards provides the opportunity for recent doctoral degree recipients to enhance their research skills in the resource-rich NIH environment, which consists of more than 1,200 laboratories or research projects located on the main campus in Bethesda, Maryland and the surrounding area as well as in Baltimore and Frederick, Maryland; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Hamilton, Montana; Framingham, Massachusetts; and Detroit, Michigan. Trainees pursue basic, translational, and clinical research free from the demands of obtaining grants and teaching, although opportunities to do both are available. US citizens and permanent residents are appointed to Postdoctoral Intramural Research Training Awards (IRTAs); citizens of other nations are appointed as visiting fellows.
NICHD uses grants and contracts to support research on topics related to its mission. This research is conducted by universities and other academic research centers in the United States and abroad. The institute also supports a variety of training and career development opportunities at NICHD and at other institutions.
The Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program(IC) offers scientists and engineers from a wide variety of disciplines unique opportunities to conduct research in a wide range of topics relevant to the Intelligence Community. The program supports postdocs to conduct research at universities, colleges, and U.S. government laboratories throughout the United States.
More information about The Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program