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Current Funding Opportunities

The Neuro RECEPTR Symposium

The Neuro RECEPTR Symposium is a two-day symposium (April 27-28, 2023) at Rutgers University, featuring graduate students and faculty talks. This symposium is designed to connect graduate students with faculty looking for postdocs. If interested in participating in this symposium, please apply by Monday, January 30th, 2023. If selected, Rutgers will pay for all your expenses: flight, two night-accommodation, and food. Scientists from diverse backgrounds and life experiences bring different perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise to address complex scientific problems. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

The Intelligence Community (IC) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program

This program offers scientists and engineers from a wide variety of disciplines unique opportunities to conduct research on a wide range of topics relevant to the Intelligence Community. The research is conducted by the Postdocs while working in partnership with a Research Advisor and collaborating with an advisor from the Intelligence Community. In partnership with the Research Advisor, the Postdoc composes and submits a technical proposal that responds to a research opportunity identified at:  orise.orau.gov/icpostdoc/current-opportunities

Award Details:

  • Annual stipends range from $78,000 to $82,000, depending on
    research location
  • Annual travel budget of up to $6,000-Appointments for 2 years, and option to extend for a third year
  • Host institutions receive an annual laboratory budget of up to $5,000
  • Research Advisors receive a $10,000 stipend and an annual travel budget of up
    to $2,000

Postdoc Eligibility:

  • U.S. citizenship required
  • Ph.D. received within 5 years of the application deadline
    To learn more and to apply, please visit  orise.orau.gov/icpostdoc/
    Applications Accepted January 3 – February 28, 2023

Lacy-Fischer Interdisciplinary Research Grants

The Lacy-Fischer Interdisciplinary Research Grants were established to encourage graduate student-led research collaborations among students and faculty across campus. The goal of these grants is to enable interdisciplinary research teams working across at least two disciplines to seed the collection of preliminary data, add substantively to a project or area in which the student is already engaged, and provide other information that can help develop a strong
external outside grant proposal.

Interdisciplinary research proposals are welcomed from any graduate student or research area across the curriculum (e.g., Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science/STEM). The proposal must involve applicants from at least two different disciplines and two different departments and may not include more than four named applicants. There may be one or two principal investigators on the project; the principal investigator(s) must be a full-time doctoral student(s).
Applicants may be awarded up to $7,500 based on their proposal and budgetary requests. All funds must be used during the award period, which is one calendar year from the time of the distribution of funds.

  • Key Factors Considered in Selection Process
    • Scholarly merit, innovation, and substantive interdisciplinarity of the proposed research
    • Clearly state need for collaboration and how well the team is suited to address the research question(s)
    • Potential impact of the proposed research initiative on the field
    • Potential to develop an externally funded research program
    • Productivity of the applicants and quality of the proposed research scholarship
  • Award Details
    • Up to ten grants are available for Spring 2023.
    • Grants are limited to a maximum award of $7,500 and all charges must comply with Vanderbilt finance policies.
    • The Graduate School reserves the right to award less than the full sum requested by successful applicants based on the degree of need demonstrated by the proposal and budget.
    • Preference will be given to applicants for new projects/collaborations that have not been previously funded (or for which there is clear need for an extension of work already funded)
    • These grants are not a substitute for, nor a supplement to, graduate stipends, and they may not be used to fund credit-bearing coursework.
    • Funds will either be provided directly to award recipients or directly to vendors via the Oracle procurement system.
  • Eligibility
    1. All Applicants must be in good standing with the university.
    2. Preference will be given to Ph.D. candidates engaged in full-time dissertation research.
    However, all Ph.D. students in good academic standing are eligible to apply.
    3. Applicants must have authorization from their faculty advisor and their department’s
    Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).
    4. Applicants are allowed no more than two grants per academic year from the Graduate
    School (e.g., Graduate Leadership Institute [GLI] Dissertation Enhancement Grants,
    Research and Travel Grants).
    5. Applicants whose proposals address research that is inclusive (e.g., attention to race, ethnicity,
    gender, disability, socioeconomic disadvantage, or other factors that can
    broaden our knowledge in a particular area) will be given priority.
  • Application Materials:
    Applications must include the following materials and must be submitted via InfoReady.
    Applications that do not adhere to these instructions will be excluded from the review process.
    Please include the following items:
    • 3-5 page research proposal that states the research question, interdisciplinary nature of
    the research, and outlines how the funding will (1) seed the collection and/or analysis of
    preliminary data, (2) add substantively to a project or area in which the student is already
    engaged, and (3) provide other information that can help develop a strong external
    outside grant proposal.
    • A line-item budget notating the total requested amount of funding (up to $7,500) with
    details as to how and when funds will be utilized.
    • Abbreviated curriculum vitae for each name applicant on the project (3-page maximum
    each).
    • One letter of support from the principal applicant’s advisor/mentor/PI or Director of
    Graduate Studies (1 page maximum).

Deadline:
The deadline to apply for Spring 2023 funding is January 31, 2023. Selected proposals will be
announced on Friday, February 10, 2023.
Application: https://vanderbilt.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1893309

URA Sandia National Laboratories Paid Summer Fellowship

This program provides research experience in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that support Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Research Foundations. Summer Fellows will work in close collaboration with Sandia’s technical staff members to engage in challenging research and development projects. For more information, visit their  website. The deadline is January 31, 2023.

OSP Summer Internship Program

This virtual internship program will take place over the course of 8-12 weeks beginning in late May/early June 2023 and ending in August 2023. Applications must be received no later than January 31, 2023, by 11:59 PM ET. To learn more about the available internship positions, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, please visit: https://osp.od.nih.gov/get-involved/osp-summer-internship-program/ Questions may be sent to SciencePolicy@od.nih.gov .  You can also follow us on Twitter @NIH_OSP

The Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (CLACX) 2023 Awards

CLACX offers these opportunities:

  • Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
  • Academic Year Award for 2023-2024  – open to graduate students only
  • Summer Award for 2023  – open to undergraduate and graduate students
  • Tinker Field Research Grants – open to graduate students for MA or pre-dissertation fieldwork
  • Simon -Collier Travel Awards  – open to undergraduate and graduate students

Applications for these awards are due  February 1, 2023 . For more information about the criteria and application process, visit  https://as.vanderbilt.edu/clacx/aid-and-awards/ .  Please email  Gretchen.s.selcke@vanderbilt.edu with awards-specific.

Stanford Postdoctoral Recruitment Initiative in Sciences and Medicine (PRISM)

Applications are NOW OPEN for the  Stanford Postdoctoral Recruitment Initiative in Sciences and Medicine (i.e. PRISM)! We invite all graduate students, especially those from backgrounds underrepresented within academia, to apply for this initiative.

#StanfordPRISM  was created in 2017 to support underrepresented scholars in the search for excellent mentorship and a quality postdoc opportunity.  At Stanford, postdocs work alongside top scientists and at the same time develop their professional skills, explore career options, and prepare for independent careers. Stanford has one of the largest postdoc populations in the country and a strong commitment to making the postdoc experience the best it can possibly be. Priority for acceptance into PRISM may go to US Citizens and Permanent Residents.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to  contact the PRISM Team  for guidance on preparing a successful application and connecting with potential mentors.

Apply Today! 

Application Closes: Monday, Feb. 13th, 2023
Cohort Visit Date(s): Wednesday, May 10th - Saturday, May 13th, 2023

Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Fellows Program

ARPA-E is looking for the next generation of scientific leaders to help solve the most pressing and exciting challenges in energy.

ARPA-E Fellows bring a wealth of new ideas, using technical and economic analysis to help the agency identify potential breakthrough energy technologies. During their two-year tenure, Fellows advance American energy innovation, engaging with world-class researchers in academia and industry, entrepreneurs, and government officials. Prior experience in energy and/or commercialization is not required. A doctoral degree and US citizenship are required.

APPLY HERE – Written applications will be accepted now through February 15, 2023. Questions? Contact ARPA-E-jobs@hq.doe.gov

DAAD’s Postdoctoral Networking Tour in Artificial Intelligence

This offer addresses experienced PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers from all over the world. We want to make them aware of opportunities for research cooperation with German universities and research institutes. Each call has a specific theme, and the upcoming Networking Tour will focus on Generative Models in Machine Learning.

The DAAD AInet Fellows (find the previous fellows here) will get in touch with leading researchers and research institutions in Germany. The fellowship consists of participation in the DAAD AInet Virtual Networking Week from 24 – 28 April 2023 and a one-week travel stipend to visit German research institutions in person. All applicants will be invited to a comprehensive virtual information session on the German research system and what it has to offer.

More information on the program and the host institutions can be found at daad.de/ainet/apply. Deadline to apply is February 27, 2023 

Research Abroad in Freie University of Berlin

The Freie University of Berlin maintains a partnership with Vanderbilt University for a direct exchange. To learn more about the program,  review this fact sheet  or  visit the Freie University of Berlin Direct Exchange page. You can access the application form for 2023-2024  here. The deadline to apply is March 17, 2023.

The Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard Medical School

The Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship(DPF) is a two-year research fellowship established to nurture, advance, and retain a diverse scientific workforce that will continue to contribute to diversity through their ongoing academic and research scholarship. The fellowship program prepares scientists from groups historically underrepresented in the basic and social sciences for careers in academia and other sectors. Fellows benefit from a highly innovative and creative research environment that emphasizes scientific rigor, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence in science.

Eligibility:

  • Have an MD, MD/PhD, PhD, ScD, or equivalent degree in the basic or social sciences by June 2023.
  • Have United States citizenship or permanent resident status.
  • Come from a background that is historically underrepresented in the basic and social sciences.
  • Have no more than two years of postdoctoral experience.

Funding:

The two-year fellowship provides funding in the amount of $50,000/year, and DPF fellows are eligible for Harvard’s generous benefits package.

Application Process:

The online application for the Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship is available on the DICP website at https://dicp.hms.harvard.edu/the-deans-postdoctoral-fellowship-application. Applicants need to submit the online form, which includes a cover letter, CV, and a statement that makes the connection between the mission of the Fellowship and their research interests and professional goals. For more information, please visit DPF website: https://dicp.hms.harvard.edu/dicp-programs/postdoc-and-fellows/deanspostdoc. The deadline is April 15, 2023.

Contact:

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Jorge Fortin, Program Coordinator, Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at dicp_deanspostdoc@hms.harvard.edu with any questions.

Fulbright Program 

2023-2024 Fulbright Program  like The Vanderbilt Way, strives to ensure that awardees reflect the diversity of U.S. society. They seek people from traditionally underrepresented audiences in all their grants, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Explore with IIE’s  Fulbright tutorials and resources , especially the  new Fulbright Award Search !  To be nominated, apply through Vanderbilt for Fulbright !

Research University Alliance-NSF-AGEP Funded Postdoc 

The Research University Alliance (RUA) is an NSF-AGEP alliance of 9 universities (Caltech, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Michigan, UT Austin, and University of Washington). RUA works to increase diversity in the future professoriate by supporting postdocs through professional development, conferences, research exchange, and the Postdoc Portal. The Postdoc Portal (postdocportal.org) connects graduate students and postdocs from across the country who are considering a future postdoc position with faculty and research groups at the 9 RUA institutions who are open to hearing from potential postdocs. Resources are available on the Portal for help with profile creation.

Travel Grant

Students are encouraged to present their research at major regional, national, and international conferences. The Graduate School Travel Grant to Present Research will provide up to $500 in travel support for graduate students presenting their research at major meetings and conferences. Students may apply for one travel grant per budget year (July 1 – June 30) for domestic or international travel. Students are allowed a total of three travel grants during their tenure at Vanderbilt. Please see the links below for the full grant instructions and eligibility requirements. Travel between July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023: 2022-2023 Travel Grant Application.

Digital Humanities Mini-Grants

The Center for Digital Humanities offers seed grants and travel grants up to $2,500 for DH-related research, training, travel, or project start-up. All Vanderbilt faculty and graduate students are eligible. See the program announcement and  find an application link here. All Vanderbilt faculty, postdocs, and graduate students are eligible for Digital Humanities Mini-grants. Applications are reviewed and awarded monthly.