Grant Opportunities

This is by no means an exhaustive list but a working list. If you know of a grant mechanism, public or private, for postdocs please let us know so we can add it!

NIH Grants

Many grants exist and are divided into two categories: clinical trials and non-clincal trials. If you are taking human samples or have human subjects, you will likely need to apply for clinical trials. Consult your PO for further advice.

F32

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32). The postdoc version of the F31.

F32 BRAIN Initiative Fellows

Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32)—Particular interest to neuroscience or neuroscience-adjacent postdocs!

F32 Postdoctoral Fellowship Award to Promote Diversity in Translational Research for AD/ADRD (F32 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The NIH makes a concerted effort to fund candidates from diverse backgrounds with the long-term goal of promoting a diverse scientific workforce.

K99

Two Phase Postdoc and Junior Faculty Award—The faculty position “golden ticket”. If you are set on a career in academia, it is highly recommended that you apply for this grant. There is a 4-year window of eligibility that starts as soon as your PhD is conferred.

K22

Two phase Mentored Career Transition Award for Intramural Fellows

Many of these fellowships are unfortunately not available to international scholars/non-US citizens. If this applies to you, try looking for funding opportunities from your home government or private foundation grants here in the US.

NSF Grants

These grants are more broadly divided by scientific discipline, you will need to apply within your division. Source: nsf.gov.

Office of Polar Programs Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (OPP-PRF)

The Office of Polar Programs (OPP) offers postdoctoral research fellowships (PRF) to provide opportunities for early career scientists, including social scientists, to accomplish one or more of the following goals: expand their work across traditional disciplinary lines, develop new partnerships…

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)

The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) awards Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) 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…

EAR Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF)

The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) awards Postdoctoral Fellowships 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 EAR disciplinary programs and…

Ocean Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (OCE-PRF)

The Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) offers postdoctoral research fellowships (PRF) to provide opportunities for scientists early in their careers to work within and across traditional disciplinary lines, develop partnerships, and avail themselves of unique research resources, sites and facilities…

Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (AGS-PRF)

The Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) awards Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (PRF) to highly qualified early career investigators to carry out an independent research program. The research plan of each Fellowship must address scientific questions within the scope of…

SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (SPRF)

The Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) offers Postdoctoral Research Fellowships to 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…

NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF)

NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships provide an opportunity for highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. Fellows may engage in observational, instrumental, theoretical, laboratory or archival data research in any…

Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology

The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program provides support to enhance the research capabilities of minority-serving institutions (MSI) through the establishment of centers that effectively integrate education and research. MSIs of higher education denote institutions that…

Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF)

The purpose of the Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF) is to support future leaders in mathematics and statistics by facilitating their participation in postdoctoral research environments that will have maximal impact on their future scientific development.

Private Foundations

Many private entities provide funding for promising candidates in all sorts of disciplines. One we recommend is the American Heart Association postdoctoral fellowship for any cardiovascular/respiratory research.