Support for Postdoctoral Researchers
The Research Administration and Development Unit in the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences provides comprehensive research development, pre-award, and post-award support to postdoctoral researchers. We assist with navigating funding opportunities, developing and submitting competitive proposals, and managing the resulting awards. New postdoctoral researchers are automatically subscribed to Research Bulletin — our bi-weekly newsletter in which we post announcements, funding opportunities, events, and workshops! Visit our archive to browse past announcements and opportunities. In addition, learn more about how the RAD Unit helps Dunlop School researchers.
Common Funding Opportunities
Below is a list common funding opportunities for postdoctoral researchers in the biological sciences. For even more opportunities, we recommend hopping over to Graduate Division’s fellowships webpage.
Sponsor Program Program Description Eligibility National Institutes of Health (NIH) Kirschstein-NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32) Enhances 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. Postdoctorate/Residency. U.S. citizen or permanent resident, with research or clinical doctoral degree. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pathway to Independence Award (K99) 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. Postdoctorate/Residency, Early Career. U.S. citizen or non-citizen, with research or clinical doctoral degree, and no more than 4 years of Post-Doctoral research experience. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Career Transition Award (K22) Facilitates the transition of investigators to independent, productive research careers. One or two phase award; an initial period of mentored research, followed by a period of independent research at an extramural institution. Postdoctorate/Residency, Early Career. U.S. citizen or permanent resident, with research or clinical doctoral degree. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K01) Provides support and protected time for an intensive, supervised career development experience in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence. Some NIH Institutes use the K01 to enhance workforce diversity, or for individuals who propose to train in a new field, or for individuals who have had a hiatus in their research career. Postdoctorate/Residency Early Career. U.S. citizen or permanent resident, with research or clinical doctoral degree. National Science Foundation (NSF) Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology Supports postdoctoral fellows in selected areas of the life sciences who focus on broadening participation of underrepresented groups in biology; study the rules governing interactions between genomes, environments and phenotypes; or study plant genomes. U.S. citizen, U.S. national or U.S. permanent resident, i.e., have a "green card," at the time of submission. Earn the doctoral degree in an appropriate field prior to beginning the fellowship. Alzheimer's Association Research Fellowship (AARF) Supports exceptional researchers who are engaged in their post-graduate work (i.e. postdoctoral fellows) and before they have their first independent faculty positions (i.e. Assistant Professor) and working in diverse areas of research, including basic, translational, clinical, functional and social-behavioral research. Applications will be accepted from postdoctoral fellows (or an equivalent level position) with full-time positions at their respective academic institution and less than 10 years of research experience after receipt of their doctorate (Ph.D.) or terminal degree. Individuals who have a position of an Assistant Professorship or above are not eligible. Individuals currently enrolled as a student in a undergraduate, Master or Doctoral Program are not eligible, regardless of prior degree status. American Cancer Society (ACS) Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) Supports 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. Work at a US academic institution or eligible non-profit. Are a US citizen or a non-citizen holding an appropriate visa when you submit your application. Have had your doctoral degree for LESS than 4 years; time spent in clinical-only training is not counted. Do not have a faculty appointment (e.g., Instructor, Research Assistant Professor) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Postdoctoral Fellowships Supports post-graduate education in agriculture and related disciplines. Fellowship awards can also enable interested postdoctoral trainees to obtain training in industry and international research on issues relevant to U.S. agriculture. Varies based on grant Jane Coffin Childs Fund for Medical Research Postdoctoral Fellowships Provides three years of salary support to the best and brightest postdoctoral fellows, as selected by the esteemed Board of Scientific Advisors (BSA), pursuing fundamental biomedical research to advance human health. Applicants may be citizens of any country, but awards for non-U.S. citizens can only be made to sponsoring institutions in the United States. Postdoctoral applicants should have no more than 18 months of postdoctoral research experience at the time of the application. Damian Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Damon Runyon Fellowship Award Supports the training of the brightest postdoctoral scientists as they embark upon their research careers. This funding enables them to be mentored by established investigators in leading research laboratories across the country. Applicants must have completed one or more of the following degrees or its equivalent: MD, PhD, MD/PhD, DDS, DVM, DO. The applicant must include a copy of their diploma to confirm date of conferral. Foreign candidates may apply to do their research only in the United States. Life Sciences Research Foundation (LSRF) Postdoctoral Fellowships Provides three years of support to a named postdoctoral researcher at a non-profit university or research institution. U.S. citizens are eligible to work in any geographic location. Non-U.S. citizens must work in a U.S. laboratory to be eligible for an award. Must apply within 5 years of receiving their PhD (or MD/DVM whichever was awarded later). If you received your PhD (or MD/DVM) before October 1, 2019, you are not eligible to apply. You may apply before defending your thesis, but must have your PhD (or MD/DVM) degree by the time the award is activated on August 1, 2025. Must have begun (or will begin) working in your proposed postdoc lab between August 1, 2023 and July 31, 2025. Must complete your postdoctoral training in a lab different from that of your graduate (thesis) lab. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program Supports early career scientists as they launch careers in academic science, and equipping them to recruit, mentor, and inspire future generations. Fellows join a cohort of peers and receive funding up to $1.5 million. If your training institution for your graduate degree is in the U.S., including Puerto Rico, you may be of any nationality. If your training institution for your graduate degree is not in the U.S., you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national. No more than 24 months of postdoctoral research experience by the application due date. University of California President’s Postdoctoral
Fellowship ProgramEncourages outstanding women and minority Ph.D. recipients to pursue academic careers at the University of California. The current program offers postdoctoral research fellowships, professional development, and faculty mentoring to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at UC. Must hold or receive a Ph.D. or terminal degree in their discipline (JD, MD, MFA, DVM, EdD, etc.) from an accredited university before the start of their fellowship. Must be are legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship and work authorization is possible. University of California, Irvine Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Offers postdoctoral research fellowships and faculty mentoring to qualified scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to the diversity and equal opportunity at the University of California. Applicants must hold or receive a Ph.D. or terminal degree in their discipline (JD, MD, MFA, DVM, EdD, etc.) from an accredited university before the start of their fellowship. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship and work authorization is possible.
Campus Resources
Click on a resource below to visit its website for more information.
Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholar Resource Center (GPSRC)
As part of Graduate Division, GPSRC offers workshops and programs designed to support professional development, communication, preparation of grant and fellowship funding applications, wellness and work-life balance, mentoring and much more. Programs are free and open to all domestic and international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
Corporate and Foundation Relations
The Corporate and Foundation Relations team works with foundations, nonprofit organizations, and corporations to build partnerships and advance UC Irvine’s teaching, research, and public services mission. They also help faculty and other researchers, including postdoctoral researchers, identify suitable funding opportunities and prepare competitive applications.
Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) K-Club Grant Writing Series
This structured workshop series is designed to assist junior faculty and fellows in preparing competitive career development grant applications for NIH submission. K awards aim to bring candidates to the point where they can conduct their research independently and are competitive for major grant support. K-Club typically begins in the spring, and candidates work toward the October NIH deadline. Visit the K-Club website to find slides and recorded presentations from past sessions.
Postdoctoral Association (PDA)
The PDA board is a group of enthusiastic volunteer postdoctoral researchers dedicated to supporting the postdoc community by providing professional development programs as well as social/networking events. Visit the PDA website to learn more and view upcoming events.
Center for Excellence in Writing and Communication (CEWC)
CEWC offers support at all levels of the writing process. Located in the Science Library, the center offers one-on-one appointments with peer tutors and writing specialists, workshops, and asynchronous feedback options. They assist with various writing tasks, from brainstorming to final drafts. The center aims to promote effective writing and communication as essential lifelong skills. Visit their website for helpful handouts and resources on writing.
Office of Research Funding Search Tools
Take charge of your funding search by using recommended funding search services and databases. Links and descriptions of these tools are found on the Office of Research’s website. You can also consult the Research Development Team for assistance.
