President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program – University of California

The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP) is a fully funded research fellowship that supports outstanding early-career scholars from all disciplines to pursue postdoctoral research at one of the ten University of California campuses or affiliated labs. The award helps fellows establish independent research programs and prepares them for academic careers with mentoring, community building and professional development.

What’s Offered

• A competitive annual salary (approx. US $69,000) and a research/professional development allowance (about US $5,000).

• Comprehensive benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, paid sick leave, family/medical leave and four weeks of paid time off during the fellowship year.

• The opportunity to work under the sponsorship of a tenured UC faculty mentor and access major research facilities and academic networks across the UC system.

• Professional development events such as the Fall Meeting and Spring Academic Retreat to connect with peers and faculty.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must hold a PhD or terminal degree before the start of the fellowship.

• Candidates should demonstrate potential for research excellence and a future academic career.

• A UC faculty sponsor/mentor is required to support the application.

• Fellows are expected to reside and participate in academic life at the host UC campus while pursuing full-time research.

Process & Structure

• Applications open 1 September 2025 for the 2026–27 cycle and must be submitted through the online portal.

• Applicants submit research proposals, academic statements, CV and writing samples, and letters of recommendation.

• Successful candidates begin their fellowship on 1 July of the following year, with renewal possible for a second year based on productivity and engagement.

Fields of Study

• Open to all academic fields, including STEM, social sciences, humanities and arts.

Deadline

• 1 November 2025 is the final deadline for applications, with mentor/reference letters due by 1 December 2025.

• Final decisions are typically announced by 31 March 2026.