Among the many fellowships and funding opportunities available to postdocs at Stanford, the following may be of particular interest to diverse postdocs, such as PRISM candidates, and their mentors.
Stanford Fellowships
IDEAL Provostial Fellows for Studies in Race and Ethnicity
The IDEAL Provostial Fellows program supports the work of early-career researchers, who will lead the next generation of scholarship in race and ethnicity and whose work will point the way forward for reshaping race relations in America. These fellowships may be in any school of the University (Business, Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Humanities & Sciences, Law, Medicine). Selection criteria includes the originality and quality of the research, as well as demonstrated potential for intellectual achievement.
PRISM Baker Fellowships
The PRISM Baker Fellowship pilot funds are limited to postdocs who participated in the Stanford Postdoctoral Recruitment Initiative in Sciences and Medicine (i.e. the PRISM program). Only those postdocs who traveled to campus for PRISM between Oct. 2021 - May 2023 (e.g. Cohorts 8-11) are eligible for this award. The PRISM Baker Fellowships provide matching funds to support some of these first year postdoctoral scholars in developing independence, while also supporting faculty in developing more inclusive and equitable recruitment and training practices. After completing a round of applications from PRISM applicants and their potential PIs/mentors, these fellowships can be used to support excellent and innovative scholars in science, medicine, engineering, technology, social sciences, and humanities research.
Propel Postdoctoral Scholars Program
Stanford School of Medicine’s newly formed Propel Postdoctoral Scholars Program seeks to 1) attract and train talented postdocs who would bring diversity (broadly defined) to both their training program and to the professoriate in the biological, biomedical, and/or population-based sciences, including from backgrounds or perspectives typically underrepresented in the biological, biomedical, and/or population-based sciences, 2) provide postdoctoral funding support and professional development programs that will prepare individuals to assume leadership roles as faculty in academia, and, in so doing, 3) champion a culture of belonging and inclusion in science and academia, within and beyond Stanford. Eligible mentors must have a primary appointment in the Stanford School of Medicine.
Stanford Earth Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The Stanford Earth Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, introduced in 2020, represents a new step in diversifying the academic pipeline in the geosciences. We deeply appreciate the value of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and we define diversity broadly to include diversity of genders, races and ethnicities, cultures, physical and learning differences, sexual orientations and identities, veteran status, and work and life experiences. This fellowship will support two outstanding scholars in the fields of Earth, energy, and environmental sciences, as well as other emerging fields in this area, whose research and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students will contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion and scientific excellence within the school.
Stanford Science Fellows
As independent postdoctoral scholars, Stanford Science Fellows have opportunities to work with multiple faculty and use facilities within Stanford’s Schools of Humanities and Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, and Earth, as well as at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
The fellowship includes close contact with a committee of dedicated Stanford faculty, community-building activities, and professional and career development opportunities.
T-32 Training Grants for Postdocs at Stanford
Stanford has many T-32 training grants with postdoctoral funding available. Please note, limited to postdoctoral scholars who are US Citizens or Permanent Resdients.
External Fellowships & Funding Opportunities
NIH Diversity Supplements: PA-18-906
Diversity supplements aim to improve the diversity of the research workforce by recruiting and supporting students, postbacs, postdocs, and investigators developing independent projects* from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented to participate in grant supported research. Eligible individuals are US Citizens or Permanent Residents who are underrepresented, including individuals from racial and ethnic groups (such as Blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indian/Alaska Natives, NativeHawaiian/Pacific Islanders, and other individuals from racial and ethnic groups that can be demonstrated convincingly to be underrepresented by the grantee institution), individuals with disabilities, and individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds (more information about socio-economically disadvantaged background criteria).
A wide variety of parent grants are eligible for Diversity Supplements. Applicant eligibility criteria, application timing, etc., varies by Institute and Center; more information can be found here.
Hannah H. Gray
Hannah H. Gray Program Booklet
HHMI Program Announcement
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) seeks to increase diversity in the biomedical research community. The Hannah H. Gray Fellows Program recruits and retains individuals from gender, racial, ethnic, underrepresented groups, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This program supports early career scientists at their critical transition in their academic careers, allowing fellows to change their research focus and follow their curiosity for the duration of the award. The Hanna H. Gray program provides fellows funding for their postdoctoral training through their institute and may continue to receive funding during their early careers as independent faculty. Fellows will become leaders in academic research and inspire future generations of scientists from HHMI’s diverse talent pool.
Stanford’s Grant Writing Academy offers workshops to support Stanford postdocs applying for a Hannah H Gray fellowship.
Ford Foundation Fellowships
Through its Fellowship Programs, the Ford Foundation seeks to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.
BWF Postdoctoral Enrichment Program
Postdoctoral Enrichment Program (PDEP) provides a total of $60,000 over three years to support the career development activities for underrepresented minority postdoctoral fellows whose training and professional development are guided by mentors committed to helping them advance to stellar careers in biomedical or medical research.
Other Postdoctoral Funding Opportunities and Resource Lists
Other funding opportunities and resources for postdocs who are from backgrounds underrepresented in academia can be found on the Minority Postdoc resources site, the National Postdoc Association’s diversity page, and through partnership with Stanford initiatives such as the bi-annual recruitment of postdocs via the PRISM program.
For additional funds/budget requests that go beyond the scope of what OPA may be able to assist with, please visit these links:
- DIF: Diversity and Inclusion Innovation Funds Details | Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education
- Stanford Postdoctoral Initiative Fund (SPIF) - SURPAS
Funding opportunities for Stanford postdocs in the biosciences are cataloged in the Research Management Group’s Funding Opportunities list.
For further assistance with identifying funding sources, developing proposals, and reviewing fellowship criteria in more detail, go to the Stanford OPA Fellowships website.
