Postdoctoral researchers play a vital role in advancing knowledge, innovation, and discovery across every academic discipline. To support continued research and professional development, many universities, government agencies, and foundations offer postdoctoral scholarships and fellowships. These awards provide funding for research projects, travel, and living expenses, allowing scholars to deepen their expertise and contribute to their fields at a professional level.
To get funding as a postdoc, you can apply for fellowships, grants, or institutional funding. Popular options include the NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, and university-sponsored postdoctoral awards. Networking with faculty and identifying grant opportunities in your field is essential.
Postdoc funding can be found through national organizations like the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Energy (DOE). Additionally, many universities have postdoc offices that provide information on available fellowships, and professional organizations in your discipline often list funding opportunities.
To get a postdoc scholarship, research fellowships relevant to your field and prepare a strong application. Programs like the Fulbright Postdoctoral Award and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions provide scholarships for postdoctoral researchers worldwide. A compelling research proposal and strong references are critical for success.
Yes, non-U.S. citizens can apply for grants like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Europe), the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, and the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships (Canada). Many U.S. programs, such as NIH-funded T32 training grants, also accept international applicants.
The DOE Postdoctoral Fellowship is offered by the U.S. Department of Energy to support early-career researchers working on energy-related topics. Examples include the Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program and fellowships at DOE national laboratories. These programs fund cutting-edge research in energy, physics, and related disciplines.
The NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship supports early-career scientists conducting independent research. Programs like the Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and the Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship provide funding for salary, research expenses, and professional development opportunities.
Yes, postdoc fellowships for international students include the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowships (Germany), and the Commonwealth Rutherford Fellowships (UK). These programs are designed to support global collaboration and research mobility.
A postdoctoral fellowship in education provides funding for researchers studying education policy, pedagogy, or learning sciences. Programs like the AERA Research Grant and the Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship are popular options for education-focused scholars.
The NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, or NRSA Fellowship (F32), provides funding for postdocs pursuing biomedical or behavioral research. This fellowship supports salary, training, and research expenses, and is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and select international applicants.
Eligibility for the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship typically requires applicants to have completed their PhD within the past two years. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required for most NSF fellowships, though some programs may allow exceptions for international collaborations. Strong proposals with innovative research plans are essential.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Project—also known as Space Grant—was initiated in 1989 to expand opportunities for Americans to engage in aeronautics and space-related research and education. It operates through 52 consortia across the 50 U.S. states, the
Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
Name: Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Child Psychology Graduate Student Fellowship Award Amount: Five fellowships of $23,900 each. Overview: The...
Award: $23,900 Deadline: November Est. Time: Med (~33 min)
Name: DOE Fusion Energy Sciences Postdoctoral Research Program Award Amount: Annual stipend of $90,000. Additional allowances for health...
Award: $90,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~48 min)
This prestigious fellowship is open to young poets who demonstrate exceptional talent and potential. It provides financial support to help fellows focus on their craft and contribute to the field of poetry. Eligibility Requirements: Open to U.S. residents aged 21
Award: $27,000 Deadline: April Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The Ethereum Foundation Academic Grants Program supports researchers, academics, and institutions working on cutting-edge studies and innovations in blockchain technology, Ethereum development, and decentralized systems. This program provides funding and resources to advance the academic understanding of Ethereum and related
Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~10 min)
The MSS (Meteorological Society of Japan) Graduate Student/Postdoctoral Research Awards are granted to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in meteorology and related fields. The award supports research that contributes to the advancement of meteorological sciences. Eligibility Requirements: Must be a
Award: $2,000 Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~48 min)
The Postdoctoral Earth and Planetary Sciences Fellowship supports scientific research in planetary geologic and geophysical processes. The Center for Earth and Planetary Studies (CEPS) at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is involved in NASA and ESA planetary missions,
Award: $74,950 Deadline: March Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The Guggenheim Fellowships are competitive three- to twelve-month in-residence fellowships for predoctoral or postdoctoral research in aviation and space history. Fellows are encouraged to produce scholarly works intended for publication, such as peer-reviewed articles or books (postdocs) or a doctoral
Award: $30,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The Charles A. Lindbergh Chair in Aerospace History is a competitive 12-month fellowship open to senior scholars with distinguished publication records, who are working on or planning to work on books in aerospace history. The fellowship encourages interaction with Museum
Award: $100,000 Deadline: December Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The A. Verville Fellowship is a competitive, nine- to twelve-month in-residence fellowship focused on analyzing major trends, developments, and accomplishments in the history of aviation and space studies. Fellows will collaborate with staff from the Aeronautics and Space History Departments,
Award: $55,000 Deadline: December Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The James Smithson Fellowship invites applications with the theme of “Migration,” encompassing topics ranging from the movement of species to the diaspora of humans. Migration is central to evolutionary dynamics, ecosystems, and cultural identity, making it a rich topic to
Award: $62,000 Deadline: February Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship (SARF) program, launched in 2007, offers outstanding visual artists from around the world the opportunity to work with Smithsonian museums, research sites, collections, and scholars to conduct research that inspires new artwork. Fellows spend one
Award: $5,000 Deadline: October Est. Time: Low (~13 min)This comprehensive collection of Postdoctoral scholarships and grants for the 2026 - 2027 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Postdoctoral scholarship opportunities.
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