The University of California Office of the President runs this postdoctoral fellowship for scholars in all fields who aim for an academic career. Fellows do full-time research at one of the ten UC campuses or three UC National Laboratories, under a tenured faculty mentor.
Highly ranked applicants are also considered for Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowships on their mentor’s campus.
Benefits & funding
- Salary of about US$71,491 for 2026 fellowships (FAQ); the terms-of-award page states US$69,073.
- US$5,000 for research and professional development.
- Health, vision and dental cover, paid sick and family leave, and 4 weeks’ paid time off.
- 12 months from July 1; one further term possible on proven productivity.
- Duties: residence at the host campus, full-time research with no teaching or other jobs, and the Fall Meeting and Spring Academic Retreat.
Eligibility
- A PhD or other terminal degree (JD, MD, MFA, EdD, etc.) held or expected by July 1, 2027.
- Open to all nationalities; US work authorization is needed at hire, and visa sponsorship is possible.
- A tenured UC associate or full professor, not your dissertation advisor, must agree to mentor you; National Laboratory applicants name a technical adviser instead.
- More than five years of postdoctoral service at any university bars appointment.
- Only one UC campus may be named.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Master
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Application process
- 1Secure your mentor’s sponsorship before applying.
- 2Submit the online application with research proposal (700–1,000 words), education and background statement (300–700 words), CV, thesis abstract and writing sample by November 1, 2026.
- 3Your thesis advisor’s reference (a second is optional) and the mentor’s letter of support are due December 1, 2026.
- 4The same application can go to the Maryland, Fred Hutchinson and Virginia Tech programmes with separate mentor letters and research proposals.
Program timeline
Application opens
September 1, 2026
Application deadline
November 1, 2026
Letters due
December 1, 2026
March 31, 2027
Decisions announced (Mathematics from mid-January)
Fellowship starts
July 1, 2027