Apply for a Fellowship

Apply for a 2023 Fellowship

2023 Application Instructions

The completed application, submitted through this online portal, includes two parts.  Please submit Part I, which asks for contact information and other basic information, as soon as possible as the submission of this form triggers e-mails to your references.  Part II of the application cannot be accessed until Part I has been submitted.   Once you submit Part I, you will receive an e-mail with a link to access Part II of the application.

The deadline to submit all reference letters and Part II of the application through the online portal is November 3, 2022, at 3 pm PST. 

The Foundation will not accept applications received after the November 3rd, 2022, deadline nor consider e-mailed or mailed applications.

PART I

The 2023 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship & Leadership Award Application Form

List the names and e-mail addresses of the three individuals, outside of your mentor, who will be serving as your references.  Upon submitting PART I of the application, those individuals writing on your behalf will receive an e-mail link through which they will submit their letter of support.

References must submit letters on their institution’s letterhead.

Three Letters of Reference

The Foundation requires three letters of reference from qualified individuals best able to assess the candidate’s potential to conduct meaningful research. The quality and depth of these letters are critical to evaluating the candidate’s suitability. The candidate’s prospective mentor may not serve as one of the three references.

M.D. Candidates should include a letter from their Residency Chief or Fellowship Director. For candidates with a Ph.D. degree, one of the three references must be the doctoral thesis advisor.

PART II

Part II of the application requires that candidates upload a single PDF that contains 7 components.  These 7 components, described in more detail below, are to be presented in the following order and labeled as follows:

  1. Biosketch
  2. Personal Statement
  3. Non-Technical Statement
  4. Significance of Proposed Research
  5. Technical Statement of Proposed Research
  6. Mentor’s Biosketch
  7. Mentor’s Letter of Support

The seven components of the application should be typed, using standard fonts no smaller than 11-point, and uploaded as a single PDF via the online portal:

  1. The candidate’s biosketch and bibliography of relevant publications
  • Do not include poster presentations or conference abstracts.
  • Do not include copies of published articles.
  1. Personal statement, not to exceed one page

Briefly describe why your experience and qualifications make you particularly well suited for the fellowship. Describe your mentor’s contribution and your level of independence on the project. Finally, state how the fellowship will assist in your future career path.

  1. Non-technical statement for non-scientific audience in 300 words or fewer

State the title of your research project and provide a brief description of the proposed research project that can be understood by the general public.

  1. Significance of proposed research for non-scientific audience, not to exceed one page

Explain the practical application of your research beyond the laboratory and the potential to help advance the translation of basic biomedical sciences into new preventions or treatments for human diseases.

  1. Technical statement of proposed research, not to exceed five single-spaced pages (excluding bibliography)

Outline the research problem, the hypotheses, methodology, expected results and timeline for the research project.

  1. Mentor’s NIH biosketch

In addition, include a list of the following: (1) no more than 15 publications relevant to the candidate’s research (2) current and pending support for the laboratory and (3) former postdoctoral trainees and their current positions.

  1. Mentor’s Letter of Support (maximum of four pages)

Provide a detailed, personalized appraisal of the candidate’s qualifications and proposed research. Outline the specific mentorship plan to help the candidate further develop his/her scientific career and promote his/her independence. Include a brief description of the research facilities and equipment available to the candidate.