Sponsored Projects Office, University of California, Berkeley

Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Biological Sciences

To search for other postdoctoral funding, see the IRIS Database for funding opportunities or the COS Funding Opportunities database (accessible from berkeley.edu computers).
National Institutes of Health
National Science Foundation
Nonprofit Agencies
National Institutes of Health
Program Deadline Program Synopsis
NIH Research Training Opportunities
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Research Training Grants and Fellowships
Kirschstein NRSA for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows
April 5, August 5, December 5 The Kirschstein NRSA for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows programsupports postdoctoral training within the broad scope of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research dealing with health-related issues. It is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Fogarty International Center Training Grants varies A list of training programs at the Fogarty International Center for AIDS research. Many are open to postdoctoral investigators.
Pathway to Independence Award February 1, June 1, October 1 Funds 1-2 years of mentored support followed by 3 years of independent support for postdoctoral trainees conducting relevant research.
National Science Foundation
Program Deadline Program Synopsis
Specialized Information for Postdoctoral Fellows
NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
  These links provide resources for postdocs seeking funding from NSF.
International Research Fellowship Program second Tuesday in September Funds research opportunities abroad for 3 to 9 months in any field of science and engineering research supported by NSF. Applicant must be US citizen, national, or permanent resident who was awarded the Ph.D three years or less before the application deadline.
Japan Fellowships no deadline Programs allow visits of one week to two years to Japanese universities and other research institutes for work in science or engineering. Must be US citizen or permanent resident.
Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships first Monday in December This program, offered to minority postdoctoral researchers in biology and the humanities, provides up to $50,000 per year for travel, meetings with mentors, and an independent research program. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships for Scientists from NATO Partner Countries second Tuesday in December Awards to U.S. institutions to host beginning scientists, mathematicians, and engineers from NATO partner countries for 12 months.
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biological Informatics second Monday in April Supports recent recipients of the doctoral degree for research and training in developing and using computational, statistical, and other information tools to solve problems in biology. Applicant must be U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
Nonprofit Agencies
Program Deadline Program Synopsis
American Association of University Women
Fellowships
Eligibility and Applications
November 15 Funds women researchers in the natural sciences. One award is specifically set aside for a woman from an underrepresented group.
American Brain Tumor Association
Overview of ABTA Research Programs
Fellowship Application (PDF)
early January A $70,000 two-year award for basic brain tumor research. Applicants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens who hold the M.D. or Ph.D.
American Cancer Society
Index of Grants
Postdoctoral Fellowships
October 15, April 1 One to three year postdoctoral award for basic, preclinical, clinical, psychosocial, behavioral, and epidemiologic research on cancer. Applicant must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
American Diabetes Association
General and Postdoctoral Research Program Information
Training Awards
January 15, July 15 for most postdoctoral awards Multiple award mechanisms available for postdoctoral research. Applicant generally must be U.S. citizen or have (or have applied for) permanent resident status.
American Federation for Aging Research
General Grant and Application Information
Ellison Medical Foundation/AFSAR Senior Postdoctoral Fellows Research Program
Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust (CART Fund)
Application
December 15 The Ellison program makes grants to senior (3-5 years experience) postdoctoral fellows with outstanding promise in the basic biological and biomedical sciences relevant to understanding aging processes and age-related diseases and disabilities. The CART fund supports the early phases of exploratory and developmental AD research projects.
American Heart Association
General Research Program Information
Western States Affiliate Postdoctoral fellowship
Application Information
early January Supports research broadly related to cardiovascular function and disease, stroke in all basic disciplines. Applicant must have less than 6 years of postdoc experience and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or have a valid visa.
American Institute for Cancer Research
General Research Program Information
Postdoctoral Grant Award Information
Application Information
July 1, December 16 Funds early postdocs (no more than 3 years beyond receipt of the Ph.D) to support innovative research on the prevention, etiology or treatment of cancer by dietary or nutritional methods.
American Lung Association of California
Research Program
Research Training Fellowships
September 1 Offered to individuals who are in training in a California institution and who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in investigative or academic research relevant to lung biology, health and disease. Applicant must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident or hold a valid visa.
American Paralysis Association - Cristopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
General Research Program Information
Training and Funding Opportunities
Application Information
June 15, December 15 An index of opportunities provided by the foundation, covering many aspects of spinal cord injury and recovery research. Citizenship unrestricted.
American Physiological Society
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physiological Genomics
Fellowship Application Information
Society Awards
mid January Supports a postdoctoral fellow for a project combining organ system physiology with molecular biology/genomics, hosted or sponsored by a member of the American Physiological Society.
Also see the Society's Awards list for other awards in physiology.
American Psychological Association
Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Neurosciences
January 15 Provides research-oriented postdocs with training in a range of academic departments related to neuroscience. Applicant must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
American Society for Microbiology
Fellowships
ASM/NCID Program in Infectious Disease and Public Health Microbiology
November 15 Up to two years of funding awarded to individuals no more than three years beyond receipt of the doctorate for research in residence at the NCID, located at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis Association
About the ALSA
Research Grant Program
Call for Abstracts
early January Supports innovative research of high scientific merit and ALS relevance in areas of stem cell research, disease mechanism, therapeutic approaches, model systems and genetics. Multi-year Awards and Starter Grants are available.
Lance Armstrong Foundation
About the Foundation
Research Program
April 24 in 2006 for required letters of intent. Supports research on improving the quality of life for cancer survivors. Young Investigator Awards provide postdoctoral investigators within 5 years of Ph.D receipt with up to $50,000 per year for 1-2 years.
Arthritis Foundation
General Research and Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Information
Training Awards
Career Awards
September 1 Funds training of new investigators and innovative strategies for preventing, controlling and curing arthritis.
Burroughs Wellcome Fund
General Research Program Information
Postdoctoral Fellow Awards
Limited Submission Programs at UC Berkeley
varies BWF’s financial support is channeled primarily through five competitive peer-reviewed award programs—basic medical sciences, emerging infectious diseases, interfaces in science, translational research, and science education.
Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
General Research Program Information
Postdoctoral Fellowship Guidelines (DOC file)
Application Information
September 15 Supports basic, clinical, translational and population-based research projects, as well as education programs, directly related to the prevention of cancer.
Cancer Research Institute
General Research Program Information
Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Information
Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Instructions
April 1, October 1 Supports qualified young scientists at leading universities and research centers around the world who wish to receive training in cancer immunology or general immunology.
Center for the Study of Aging
Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University
April 1 Provides training in aging research through independent work in collaboration with a Duke University faculty member. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research
Postdoctoral Fellowship Information
Postdoctoral Fellowship Application
February 1 Supports full time postdoctoral studies in the medical and related sciences bearing on cancer. Applicants should not have more than one year of postdoctoral experience. Citizenship unrestricted.
Cooley's Anemia Foundation
About the Foundation
Research Fellowship
mid March annually. Post doctoral and junior faculty members investigating clinical or basic research related to thalassemia are eligible for this $40,000 award.
Cure Autism Now Foundation
About CAN
Young Investigator Awards
early March annually for required letter of intent. Applicants must be no more than four years out of an M.D. or Ph.D. program and work under the supervision of an established investigator. Funding is available at a maximum of $40,000 per year over two years.
Earth Institute Fellows Program
Application
December 1 A mentored fellowship at Columbia University for substantive research in any area dealing with sustainable development. Recent doctorates in the natural, social, engineering, and health sciences are encouraged to apply.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Training Grants
Application Instructions for Post Doctoral Research Fellowship (PDF)
first Wednesday in September These awards are offered to MDs, PhDs and MD/PhDs interested in conducting basic or clinical research related to CF. U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status is required.
Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Information
How to Apply
August 15, March 15 Funds mentored theoretical and experimental research relevant to the study of cancer and the search for cancer causes, mechanisms, therapies and prevention. Citizenship unrestricted. Only candidates beginning their first full-time postdoctoral research fellowship awards are eligible.
The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation
Postdoctoral Program in Environmental Chemistry
Online Application Form
late May Provides funds to established research leaders in environmental chemistry to recruit excellent young Ph.D graduates in physical, organic, inorganic, or biological chemistry or chemical engineering for high-caliber training.
Dystonia Foundation
Fellowship Program Information
Fellowship Application (PDF)
December 30 A $50,000 per year award for two years given to post-doctoral students to establish careers in dystonia research.
Epilepsy Foundation of America
General Grant and Fellowship Information
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Information (PDF)
Research Training Fellowship for Clinicians Information (PDF)
Behavioral Sciences Post-Doctoral Training Fellowship Information (PDF)
varies The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship provides experience either in basic laboratory research on epilepsy or in human clinical studies. Research and Training Fellowships for Clinicians is for clinically trained professionals. The Behavioral Sciences Post-Doctoral Training Fellowship is for social sciences postdocs interested in psychosocial intervention techniques for people with epilepsy.
Fondation Fyssen
Post-Doctoral Study Grants
Application Information
March 31 Supports post-doctoral researchers under 35 years of age working in ethology, paleontology, archaeology, anthropology, psychology, epistemology, logic and the neurosciences. This is a one year award for work at a French laboratory.
FRAXA - Fragile X Research Foundation
Research Program Information
Request for Applications (PDF)
Application Information
May 1, December 1 Fellowships of up to $40,000 per year will be offered to support postdoctoral fellows who want to pursue research in fragile X. Preference is given to U.S. citizens.
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Grants Program
Two Year Scholars Awards
July for letters of intent Provides 2 years of salary support ($30,000 to $46,000 depending on experience) to postdoctoral scientists for research on pediatric HIV/AIDS. An experienced sponsor must be part of the project.
Grass Foundation
Fellowships
Grass Fellowship
Guidelines and Application
December 15 Fellows will spend the summer at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA, carrying out neurobiological investigation while interacting closely with other postdoctoral investigators and experienced researchers. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and valid visa-holders.
National Hemophilia Foundation
About the NHF
Judith Graham Pool Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
December 1 annually Fellowships of $42,000 for research on the biochemical, genetic, hematologic, orthopedic, psychiatric or dental aspects of the hemophilias or von Willebrand disease.
Human Frontier Science Program
General Research Grant Information
Long Term Fellowships
Cross Disciplinary Fellowships
Short Term Fellowships
September 1 for LTF and CDF; no deadlines for short-term fellowships Support for postdoctoral investigators to undertake research projects in other countries. Research should be focused on the complex mechanisms of living organisms; interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged. Short Term Fellowships are also available for two weeks to three months abroad to learn state-of-the-art techniques.
Human Growth Foundation
Information About the HGF
Small Grants Program
May 1 annually for required letter of intent. Up to $10,000 of support for postdoctoral research on topics relevant to human growth and development and its disorders, with special consideration given for the chondrodystrophies.
The Irvington Institute for Immunological Research
Fellowships Information
Application Forms
January and July The Institute awards a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Immunology for mentored research of immune system disorders. Also available is the Human Immunology Award for postdoctoral investigators in human immunology.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
Information for Applicants
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship
Scholar Award
Apply for a Grant
varies Multiple award mechanisms available for postdoctoral investigators to undertake diabetes-relevant research. There are no citizenship requirements for any of these programs.
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Grants and Funding Information
Postdoctoral Fellowship Information
Postdoctoral Fellowship Request for Applications (PDF)
early August Funds Postdoctoral Fellows in the areas of breast cancer research, public health, or epidemiology. Funding of $45,000 per year for two or three years is available. Applicants must be no more than three years beyond receipt of the Ph.D or completion of clinical fellowship or residency for MD's.
Lalor Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Guidelines
Application Forms
mid January Grants for basic postdoctoral research in mammalian reproductive biology as related to the regulation of fertility. People who have held the doctoral degree for less than five years are preferred.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
General Research Grant Information
Career Development Program Information and Application
Preliminary Application for a Career Development Program Grant
September 15 for pre-application Citizenship unrestricted. Two programs: Fellows (less than two years postdoctoral experience) and Special Fellows (two or more years postdoctoral experience). Funding is for research on leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, directed by a qualified sponsor.
The Leukemia Research Foundation
General Research Grant Information
Application Information
mid February Two years of funding at $30,000 per year for postdoctoral trainees who wish to work in a research area related to leukemia and related disorders. Citizenship unrestricted.
Life Sciences Research Foundation
General Postdoctoral Fellowship Information
Application Information
October 1 LSRF awards three-year fellowships across the spectrum of the life sciences for mentored research. There can be no more than one LSRF fellow in any one laboratory at a time.
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
General Research Program Information
Osserman/Sosin/McClure Postdoctoral Fellowship Information (PDF)
October 1 A twelve-month post-doctoral research fellowship for clinical or basic research pertinent to myasthenia gravis or related neuromuscular disorders. Open to citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals working in a lab under an established investigator.
Nanyang Technological University
Lee Kuan Yew Postdoctoral Fellowship
Application (DOC file)
March 31 A three year fellowship for individuals who have obtained their degrees in the last few years and have excellent academic records and research potential. Candidates welcomed from throughout the sciences.
The National Academies
Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Diversity Fellowships
Online Application
December 15 Provides one year of support for individuals engaged in postdoctoral study after the attainment of the Ph.D. or Sc.D. degree. Funding includes most major disciplines but specifically excludes practice-oriented programs (i.e. medicine). Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
National Kidney Foundation
General Research Program Information
Research Fellowship Information (PDF)
December 10 Supports training in laboratory and clinical research of individuals in academic nephrology or a closely related field. Applicants must have no more than 4.5 years of post-doctoral research training.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
General Research Program Information
Postdoctoral Fellowship Information
Career Transition Fellowships
Application Information
February 1; pre-application for Career Transition Fellowship due September 1 Postdoctoral Fellowships support training of postdoctoral fellows (with 0-36 months of previous p training) in studies related to multiple sclerosis. Career Transition Fellowship targets current postdoctoral trainees with 2-4 years experience committed to conducting MS-related research. No citizenship requirements.
Paralyzed Veterans of America Research Foundation
Funding Information
Policies, Procedures, and Application Information
September 1 Fellowships for postdoctoral scientists, clinicians, and engineers to encourage training and specialization in the field of spinal cord research. Individuals may apply within 4 years of receiving their Ph.D. (or within 4 years of their residency for MD's).
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Foundation
Postdoctoral Fellowships in Health Outcomes
Postdoctoral Fellowships in Informatics
Postdoctoral Fellowships in Pharmaceutics
Postdoctoral Fellowships in Pharmacology/Toxicology
Postdoctoral Fellowships in Pharmacology/Morphology
Apply Online
September 1 A $40,000 annual stipend for postdocs carrying out research in the respective fields of the awards.
RAND Research and Development
General Research Program Information
Fellowship in Population Studies and the Study of Aging
Application Forms
December 15 Training for outstanding junior scholars in demographic and aging research. Fellowships are for one year, renewable for a second, providing a yearly stipend of $45,600 to $61,000 depending on qualifications. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, UCOP
General Research Grant Information
Call for Proposals and Application Packet
mid January Funds research in California on tobacco and its health effects. Postdoctoral Fellowships provide financial assistance for research training under a designated mentor.
Tourette Syndrome Association
General Research Program Information
Call for Applications
October 15 for letter of intent Up to $40,000 provided to postdoctoral fellows for basic and clinical research on Tourette Syndrome. Among the fields of interest: Basal Ganglia Physiology, Neuroimaging, Animal Models, Neuropathology, Neurochemistry.
UCOP Universitywide AIDS Research Program
About the Program
Research and Training Awards
Application Procedure
April 1 Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards are designed to support individuals who wish to obtain postdoctoral research training in AIDS-related fields. Awards provide a maximum of $37,500 per year for 2 years, and are not renewable. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
United Negro College Fund
Fellowship Information
UNCF/Merck Postdoctoral Science Research Fellowships
Application Form (PDF)
December 15 A fellowship of $55,000 for an African-American postdoctoral researcher in a life or physical science. $15,000 is also awarded to the host department. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Helen Hay Whitney Foundation
About the Foundation
General Research Fellowship and Application Information
July 15 Supports early postdoctoral research training in all basic biomedical sciences. Candidates should be US citizens or permanent residents with under two year of postdoctoral experience. Not more than 2 fellows in a given laboratory at a time.

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