Application Requirements

To get ready for the PPFP fellowship application, have answers to the following prompts ready.

1. Citizenship & employment status:

Successful applicants must present documents demonstrating that they are legally authorized to work in the United States without restrictions or limitations. Information regarding citizenship, gender, race, ethnicity, disability and veteran status is requested for statistical purposes only and will not be provided to the Selection Committee.
Please review the selection guidelines for each of the programs below:

2. Date PhD completed or expected: (Select one)

before January 1, 2026
between January 1 and June 30, 2026;
after June 30, 2026

3. Institution granting PhD

4. Discipline and sub-discipline of PhD

Choose between Arts and Humanities; Life Sciences; Mathematics, Engineering and Physical Sciences; or Social Sciences and Professional Fields

5. Academic appointment

6. Informative title of your proposed research

7. Discipline of the proposed research

Choose between Arts and Humanities; Life Sciences; Mathematics, Engineering and Physical Sciences; or Social Sciences and Professional Fields

8. Area or sub-discipline of the proposed research

A dropdown list will be provided

9. Research proposal

Please provide a 700 – 1,000 word typed statement describing your proposed research and its significance within your discipline in PDF format. Please note: The review committee may not consider proposals that exceed the word limit. References, citations, formulas, images, and graphics do not count. Applicants may submit a unique research proposal for each institution.
Add document header to PDF: Last Name, First Name - Research Proposal

10. PhD thesis abstract

Provide a one-page abstract of your PhD thesis in PDF format.
Add document header to PDF: Last Name, First Name – Dissertation Abstract

11. Educational background & personal experience statement

Please provide a 300-700 word statement in PDF format describing your educational background and personal experience in higher education, and your contributions to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education. Please review the selection guidelines for each of the programs and comment on any aspects of your academic record or goals that meet those criteria.

Add document header to PDF: Last Name, First Name – Education Background Statement

12. Curriculum Vitae

Add document header to PDF: Last Name, First Name – CV

13. PhD thesis abstract Writing sample

Provide a sample publication or unpublished research paper in PDF format. Please limit the writing sample to 35 pages. References, citations, formulas, photos, and graphics do not count toward the page limit. The review committee may not consider writing samples that exceed the page limit. Add document header to PDF: Last Name, First Name – Writing Sample

14. Mentor contact information (entered in the Research Proposal section of the online application)

Before entering faculty mentor information, be sure to obtain the sponsorship of the tenured faculty member other than your PhD dissertation advisor who is willing to serve as your primary mentor.
Name and campus affiliation of the tenured ladder-rank professor other than your PhD dissertation advisor, who has agreed to serve as your mentor:

University of California Mentor Name
Department
UC Campus
E-mail Address (Please use mentor’s official campus e-mail address.)

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Mentor Name
Department
E-mail Address (Please use mentor’s official campus e-mail address.)

University of Maryland Mentor Name
Department
E-mail Address (Please use mentor’s official campus e-mail address.)

University of Michigan Mentor Name
Department
E-mail Address (Please use mentor’s official campus e-mail address.)

University of Minnesota Mentor Name
Department
E-mail Address (Please use mentor’s official campus e-mail address.)

Virginia Tech Mentor Name
Department
E-mail Address (Please use mentor’s official campus e-mail address.)

AFTER the application is submitted, the online application will send e-mails directly to your mentor and up to two references (one must be your thesis advisor) requesting that they upload their recommendations/letters through a provided URL that will connect the uploaded documents to your online application. Each applicant must complete the entire application BEFORE the online system will send the URL and instructions to the mentor and references.

The deadline for faculty recommendations and the mentor letter of support is December 1.

The e-mail to mentors will ask them to address the following in a letter of support:
a) Applicant’s planned research;
b) expected coursework; if any;
c) extent to which the applicant will participate in departmental and campus academic activity (e.g., seminar programs);
d) extent of applicant’s anticipated participation at national/international research meetings;
e) facilities and resources available to the fellow;
f) mentor’s involvement in mentoring for other programs designed to increase access and opportunity in higher education;
g) For applications for the Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Programs, mentors letter should address the department’s future hiring plans and the applicant’s potential for appointment at their institution.

15. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA APPLICANTS ONLY – Department Chair contact information (also entered in the Research Proposal section)

The online application system, in concert with your proposed faculty mentor, will request a letter of support from the department chair. This separate letter from the department chair should describe the department's level of interest in hiring the applicant into a tenure-track position and/or identify a potential fit with another University of Minnesota department, if that is appropriate.
University of Minnesota Department Chair Name
Department E-mail Address (Please use mentor’s department chair official campus e-mail address.)

16. References

Reference #1 (Thesis Advisor) Name
Department
Campus (Select one or specify if not UC/UM/UMD/UMD/FHCC)
E-mail address (Please use official campus e-mail address)

Reference #2 (Optional) Name
Department
Campus (Select one or specify if not UC/UM/UMD/UMN/FHCC)
E-mail address (Please use official campus e-mail address)

Again, AFTER the application is submitted, the online application system will send an e-mail directly to the thesis advisor asking to address the following:
a) The quality and originality of the applicant’s work;
b) the applicant’s potential for an academic teaching; and research career. If the applicant‘s PhD is in progress, rate the likelihood of its completion by July 1, 2026.

17. Special Opportunities - Opt-in to data-sharing with the University Partnerships for Faculty Development

Agree or disagree to allow the University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program to share any or all of the information on this application with any of the academic or research institutions participating in University Partnerships for Faculty Diversity

18. Is this the first time you have applied for a President's Postdoctoral Fellowship?

Select yes or no

19. How did you hear about the program? (check all that apply)

An announcement in a paper or journal; journal name
A website (list website name)
An announcement in a paper or journal
A program announcement or e-mail
A UC faculty member or University office
Students or friends
Former or current President’s or Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow

20. Are you applying for other grants or fellowships?

If yes, please specify.

21. Graduate transcripts

An official graduate transcripts will be requested upon award notification and required in order to receive fellowship offer. Finalists will be notified by March 31 and awards announced in mid-summer.