Terms of award

The University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program awards approximately 30 postdoctoral fellowships annually. The award is intended to provide focused research time for the scholar to establish their independent research program and to prepare for the professoriate through participation in program activities. Fellows may hold or apply for other fellowship awards or other forms of support concurrent with this fellowship under the condition that requirements for both awards are met. Please contact the PPFP office before declining or accepting overlapping awards.

Award

The University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program awards approximately 30 postdoctoral fellowships annually in all fields for research conducted under faculty sponsorship on any one of the University of California’s ten campuses. The fellowship provides a salary at $69,073 and $5,000 for research expenses and professional development. The award also includes benefits (health, vision and dental), paid sick leave, family/medical leave, and 4 weeks of paid time off during the fellowship term.

Renewal

Each award is for a 12-month period, beginning on July 1. A renewal of the fellowship for an additional term may be granted upon demonstration of academic productivity and participation in program events, such as the Fall Meeting and the Spring Academic Retreat. All renewal terms will terminate on June 30, regardless of the start date. If an awardee has received an offer for a tenure track faculty position at the time of selection or has other postdoctoral fellowship awards, the fellowship may be awarded for one year, without renewal.

Expectations

UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to (1) establish residence and participate in academic life at the campus of their postdoctoral appointment, (2) focus full-time on research and avoid other commitments such as teaching or additional employment, (3) meet regularly with their faculty mentor, and (4) attend the PPFP professional development programs, such as the Fall Meeting and the Spring Academic Retreat.

Mentor guidelines

President's and Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship mentors must be tenured ladder-rank faculty (associate or full professor) who are expected to (1) take an active role in helping the fellow to plan and achieve his or her research goals, (2) assist the fellow in establishing a visible presence in the department, (3) facilitate opportunities for the fellow to participate in national and international research meetings, (4) encourage the fellow to focus full-time on research and avoid other commitments such as teaching or outside employment, (5) assist the fellow in seeking opportunities to present papers or to interview for faculty positions at the other campuses, and (6) attend the program professional development activities such as the Fall Meeting and the Academic Retreat.

Host departments

Host departments are encouraged to welcome the fellow into the department and make every effort to ensure that the fellow is included in communications about departmental colloquia, seminars and social events. Host departments are expected to provide the fellow with information about salary and benefits and administer the fellow’s research and professional travel funds. Host departments are expected to provide the fellow with access to appropriate office space and routine administrative support such as telephone lines, departmental mail services, libraries and technical support.