UC Davis/UC System
- 2025-26 Fall Travel Awards
We are excited to announce that applications for the Fall 2025 Graduate Studies Travel Awards are now open! These awards are designed to support graduate students at UC Davis who wish to present their research at conferences, workshops, or symposiums.
Here are the key details:
What: Fall 2025 Graduate Studies Travel Award – Students apply through InfoReady.
Student Deadline: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - This is a hard deadline.
Eligibility: The award is intended for students nearing the completion of their degree who have not previously received it. Eligible students must be in good academic standing, registered as full-time students, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students must have traveled, will be traveling, or attending virtually to present at meetings of nationally and internationally recognized professional societies between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
Award Announcement: Fall awardees will be announced during the week of December 8, 2025.
Award AmountsAll international travel: $2,000
Domestic travel outside of California: $1,500
Hawaii and Alaska (exception): $1,750
Travel within California and virtual conferences: $1,000
For more information about the Travel Awards, including detailed eligibility criteria and the application procedure, please visit grad.ucdavis.edu/travel-awards.- UC President's Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Fellowship
The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings are an extraordinary week-long opportunity to engage with Nobel Laureates and esteemed researchers. The next meeting in 2026 is focused on interdisciplinary research in Chemistry, Physics and Medicine/Physiology and will take place June 28 through July 3, 2026 in Lindau, Germany. We encourage graduate and undergraduate students, and postdoctoral scholars to apply for the UC President’s Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Fellowship to attend the 75th session. Applicants should have an established research project that is closely related to one or more of these fields.
About the FellowshipThe UC President’s Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Fellowship is open to all students (undergraduate and graduate) and postdocs from all 10 UC campuses. The fellowship covers travel to and from Germany, food, lodging and conference fees, thanks to funding from UC Investments and the Office of the National Laboratories.
Fellows will attend lectures from the Nobel laureates as well as participate in small group dialogues with them. UC Fellows also benefit from networking opportunities with their UC peers and other scientists from institutions and academic circles from around the world.
Fellows for the 2026 meeting must work in a disciplinary field connected to chemistry, physics, medicine and/or physiology and will be selected through a comprehensive process that begins at the campus level before final selections are made by the UC president.
For UC Davis students and postdocs, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Duncan Temple Lang will be leading the campuswide nomination process.
- UC President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
- The Program
The University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers postdoctoral research fellowships, professional development and faculty mentoring to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will advance the research excellence and public service missions of the University of California. Contributions may include leadership activities or public service towards increasing access to higher education and pursuit of academic careers. Examples may include research focusing on underserved populations. The program is seeking applicants with the potential to bring to their academic and research careers the perspective that comes from their own educational background or their understanding of the experiences of groups historically underrepresented in higher education in the United States.
Awards and Appointments
Fellowships are awarded for research conducted at any one of the University of California’s ten campuses. The award includes a salary starting at approximately $69,073 depending on field and experience, benefits including health insurance and paid vacation/sick leave, and up to $5,000 for research-related and program travel expenses. Each award is for a minimum of 12 months and may be renewable for an additional term upon demonstration of academic/research productivity.
Eligibility
Applicants must receive a Ph.D. or terminal degree from an accredited university before the start of their fellowship. Successful applicants must present documents demonstrating that they are legally authorized to work in the United States. Individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program are encouraged to apply. All scholars interested in conducting postdoctoral research at any UC campus and pursuing an academic career at the UC are invited to apply.
Application
Apply online at ppfpapply.ucop.edu.
Deadline
November 1, 2025 - Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships
THIS FELLOWSHIP SUPPORTS DOCTORAL CANDIDATES IN THEIR FINAL YEAR OF WRITING, WHO ARE WORKING IN AREAS OF RELIGION, ETHICS, VALUES, OR MORALS.
Now in its fifth decade, the Newcombe Fellowship has become a nationally recognized award that distinguishes recipients within their fields. The Newcombe Fellowships have supported over 1400 graduate students who have written dissertations which respond to and participate in, deep and meaningful conversations within religion, values, and ethics. Those awarded a Newcombe Fellowship are often at the forefront of creative and original scholarship, proposing new insights and ground-breaking work in the questions and conversations surrounding religion, ethics, and values.
We are seeking applications that reflect normative complexity. That is, we are looking for proposals that demonstrate moral, ethical, theological, or religious relevance with nuance, depth, and intellectual sophistication. Strong applications will go beyond merely identifying a topic related to values—they will engage that topic rigorously, exploring its implications, tensions, and significance with clarity and seriousness.
Applicants should make the normative dimensions of their work unmistakably clear. We expect to see evidence that the scholar is genuinely wrestling with difficult questions—whether ethical dilemmas, theological tensions, or issues of moral consequence—and doing so with depth, originality, and scholarly rigor.
This does not mean that projects without overt normative arguments are excluded. We also welcome non-normative approaches, provided they attend meaningfully to questions of values, ethics, or religion in ways that reflect analytical subtlety and moral or theological relevance. What we aim to avoid are topics that tangentially engage the deeper questions at the heart of the mission of this Fellowship.
Opens: August 1
Deadline: November 1
Funding: $31,000
Timeline• Application (phase 1) opens: August 1
• Application closes: November 1
• All applications under review: November 15 – January 15
• Status notification to finalists and other applicants: January 15 – January 21
• Finalist submission of application (phase 2): January 23 – February 13
• Finalist reviews begin: February 17
• Fellows chosen by April 1; all finalists notified of status: the first week of April
Evaluation Criteria
All applications are reviewed using the same core criteria and rigorous standards of scholarly merit.Please review the evaluation criteria on the Fellowship webpage: https://newcombefoundation.org/fellowships
- ACS Graduate Student Success Grant
Funding Amount
Principal Investigators (PIs) can apply for $25,000 to support students who are within one year of completing their Master’s or Ph.D. programs in a chemical sciences field.
Membership Benefit
Students receiving the grant via their PI will receive an ACS membership, if they are not yet a member.
Regain Research Continuity
This opportunity is available to PIs who lost funding after October 1, 2024, that impacts supporting graduate students.
Grant Eligibility and Criteria
Applicant must be the Principal Investigator (PI) and primary faculty advisor of the graduate student(s).PI must be an active ACS member of at the time of application.
Supported students must be enrolled in a U.S.-based M.S. or Ph.D. program in a chemical sciences-related department.
Students must be within one year of completing their degree by the application deadline.
Applicants must submit a letter of support from the Vice President for Research (or equivalent).
Application opens September 15, 2025 at 2PM ET
Learn More: https://www.acs.org/campaigns/graduate-student-success-grant.html- Business Development Fellowship
- Hands-on experience in commercialization and innovation, integrated with MBA coursework.
The Business Development Fellowship program offers UC Davis graduate students, Ph.D. candidates and postdoctoral researchers in all disciplines hands-on experience in developing the business and entrepreneurship skills needed for a career in industry or to create new business ventures.
9-month long program.
Application Open: Tuesday, July 08, 2025 at 10:00 AM (US/Pacific)
Deadline: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM (US/Pacific)
Information Sessions:
July 30th at 12pm via Zoom
August 6th at 12pm via Zoom
Learn More: https://innovate.ucdavis.edu/business-development-fellowship-program
Apply: https://ucdavis.startuptree.co/event/s/JWNgnniffL7Dym465WXXp7/2025-26-Business-Development-Fellowship-Application - UC Entrepreneurship Academy (Sept. 9 - 12)
- The UC Entrepreneurship Academy is designed for UC Davis graduate students, postdocs, faculty, researchers and staff in all academic fields. Come prepared to engage and grow through discussions, teamwork—and the energy and experience of meeting fellow Aggie Innovators from across campus.
Apply and Learn More: https://na.eventscloud.com/website/87789/home/ - Leaders for the Future Fellowship
The Leaders for the Future Fellowship is open to UC Davis Master’s and Ph.D. students as well as postdoctoral researchers in all disciplines who are interested in developing leadership, innovation and business skills while engaging in an experiential project or applied experience outside academia.
Structured career exploration and professional development through a series of workshops.
9-month long program.
Information Sessions:
July 30th at 12pm via ZoomAugust 6th at 12pm via Zoom
Apply and Learn More: https://innovate.ucdavis.edu/leaders-future- Sacramento Family First Economic Support Pilot (FFESP)
What is the Sacramento Family First Economic Support Pilot (FFESP)?
It is a guaranteed income pilot for parents/legal guardians caring for children 0-5 years of age, in certain zip codes of Sacramento County, who are under 200% of the federal poverty level. 200 randomly selected participants will receive $725.00 per month for 12 months.
FFESP will assess how the provision of guaranteed income to the eligible population affects families over time. Families will also have access to supportive services, such as connection to community-based organizations in their communities, access to one-on-one financial coaching, and monthly financial webinars and peer support groups.
The pilot will be administered and facilitated by United Way California Capital Region in collaboration with Sacramento County Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (DCFAS).
More Info: https://ffesp.org/Eligibility Requirements: https://ffesp.org/eligibility/
- California-Denmark Innovator Fellowship for Food and Health Leaders
- Spend January-June 2026 immersed in Denmark’s bioinnovation ecosystem, exploring solutions for food, nutrition and planetary health. This fully funded experience will identify three PhDs or postdocs to conduct transnational and commercial research to advance new technologies.
Program Info Session: April 24, 9 am: Register Here
More Info: https://foodandhealth.ucdavis.edu/opportunity/california-denmark-innovator-fellowship/ - Graduate Student Child Care Grant (GSCCG)
- The Graduate Student Child Care Grant (GSCCG) Program provides up to $5,675 per UC student per year. This includes $1,400 for Summer 2025 (if eligible) and $1,425 per quarter or $2,137/2,138 per semester, beginning Fall 2025, to full-time graduate and professional students with children from birth through age 12, regardless of financial need. The program is designed to offset actual costs incurred in childcare services. The GSCCG can be supplemented with additional funds from the Community Based Care Grant (CBCG) program for those students who demonstrate both financial and situational need.
Please visit the website for more information and applications: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/worklife-wellness/student-parent/ucd-grant - Community Based Care Grant (CBCG)
- The Community Based Care Grant (CBCG) provides awards to full-time graduate and professional students parents who demonstrate financial and situational need. Children from birth through age 12 are eligible: $2,400 per quarter or $3,600 per semester is awarded for children 0-1; $2,000 per quarter or $3,000 per semester is awarded for children 2-5; and $1,100 per quarter or $1,650 per semester is awarded for children 6-12.
Please visit the website for more information and applications: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/worklife-wellness/student-parent/ucd-grant - Public Scholars for the Future
The Public Scholars for the Future program was established to support doctoral students who are interested in developing their community engaged research with non-university partners. The aim of the program is to integrate community-centered theories, methods and techniques into the research and scholarship practices of the next generation of public scholars.
Students who successfully complete the program will be awarded $1,000 for research support.
For more information, visit the Public Scholars for the Future program website.
- LAUNCH Postdoctoral Training Program
- The LAUNCH (Leaners to Leaders in Urology, Nephrology, and non-Cancer Hematology) Training Program is looking for applicants for its open postdoctoral training slots for one year of support to start before June 30, 2025. Any postdoctoral fellow or trainee who wishes to undergo research training in the basic, clinical or translational sciences within non-malignant urology, nephrology and hematology is encouraged to apply.
Applications can be submitted on a rolling bases. Application reviews will be conducted two weeks after the full application materials are received, with applicants who are selected to move on then completing an interview.
To be eligible, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; be affiliated with UC Davis, USCF, UC Berkeley or Stanford University; have an M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or D.V.M.; commit to academic careers in research; have a primary mentor who has a track record of success in research in nephrology, urology, or hematology; have not already received more than two years of T32/F32 or TL1 funding; and conduct research within the mission areas. Visit launch.ucsf.edu for more information.
External Opportunities
- U.S. National Science Foundation: Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
The purpose of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. Since 1952, the program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, including STEM education. NSF GRFP was established to recruit and support individuals who demonstrate the potential to make significant contributions in STEM, including STEM education. NSF encourages applications from the full spectrum of talent that the U.S. has to offer.
Application Deadline(s) (received by 5 p.m. local time of applicant’s mailing address):November 10, 2025: Life Sciences
November 12, 2025: Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Materials Research; Psychology; Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences; STEM Education and Learning
November 13, 2025: Engineering
November 14, 2025: Chemistry; Geosciences; Mathematical Sciences; Physics and Astronomy
More Information: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/grfp-nsf-graduate-research-fellowship-program/nsf25-547/solicitation#elig- Jane Street Graduate Research Fellowship
Applications for the 2026 Jane Street Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) are now open! The Fellowship supports exceptional doctoral students currently pursuing a PhD in computer science, mathematics, physics, or statistics.
At Jane Street, we take a rigorous, quantitative approach to trading on global markets, combining techniques from machine learning, distributed systems, programmable hardware, statistics, and applied mathematics. Our culture is steeped in the idea that we will never stop solving; we’re looking forward to supporting technically excellent PhD students who share our core values of intellectual curiosity and humility. Those awarded the Fellowship will receive:
Full tuition and fees covered for the upcoming academic year.
A $50,000 USD stipend (or the equivalent in your local currency) to help with living expenses while completing their PhD.
An invitation to visit our office to give a talk on any topic to Jane Street employees and other Fellowship recipients; all expenses paid.
Deadline
November 21, 2025Learn more about eligibility here.
- California Breast Cancer Research Program Trainee Award Opportunities
The recent changes to federal research priorities have opened gaps in breast cancer research and training in topic areas that scientists, advocates, clinicians, and policy makers identify as important for understanding, preventing and curing the disease. California Breast Cancer Researcg Program (CBCRP) recognizes that these federal re-prioritizations are undermining young investigators at a particularly vulnerable time in their career, therefore we are launching Bridge Funding Awards and re-instituting Full Fellowship Awards for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows in our 2025-2026 Call for Applications.
We are offering three trainee award opportunities:
• Bridge Funding for Fellows: Supports predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows whose federal fellowships have been prematurely terminated and are pursuing breast cancer research in California. $25,000 direct costs for up to 1 year.
• Predoctoral Fellowships: Students enrolled in a doctoral graduate program in California conducting breast cancer research and mentored by an established breast cancer researcher. Up to $60,000 stipend (plus additional expenses) annually for up to 2 years.
• Postdoctoral Fellowships: Breast cancer researchers hired as postdoctoral fellows by a California institution and mentored by an established breast cancer researcher. Up to $70,000 stipend/salary (plus additional expenses) annually for up to 2 years. All fellows including those from groups underrepresented in breast cancer research and/or
those who wish to pursue careers focused on questions on environmental contributors to breast cancer, health disparities and population-level prevention of breast cancer are encouraged to apply.
Applicants may only receive one Bridge Funding grant. Applicants may apply for and be awarded Bridge Funding and a Fellowship in this funding cycle. Review the Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship application instructions to learn more about applying for those funding opportunities.
Application RequirementsTo be eligible for these awards, fellows must:
Currently be enrolled at a California institution in a doctoral degree graduate program (terminal masters degree allowed for Bridge Funding only) or hold the position of postdoctoral fellow as defined by the institution
Work on a project that is focused on breast cancer in any of CBCRP priority areas. Review the CBCRP 2025-26 Cycle 32 Call for Applications for a full description of the priority areas.
Bridge Funding For Fellows Applications and Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Letters of Intent must be submitted in SmartSimple, our grant application database, by the deadline in order to be considered. SmartSimple will be open for submissions on September 1.
Application Information Webinar
We are hosting an applicant informational webinar on September 9, 2025 from 12:00–1:00 PM PT. Please register and join us to learn about eligibility, requirements, and the application process for funding opportunities, including:Bridge Funding for Fellows
Fellowship Awards
IDEA Awards
Community Research Collaboration Awards
Conference Awards
Key DatesAward Letter of Intent Application Deadline Start Date Bridge Funding NA October 30, 2025 February 1, 2026 Predoctoral Fellowship January 15, 2026 March 5, 2026 August 1, 2026 Postdoctoral Fellowship January 15, 2026 March 5, 2026 August 1, 2026 - American Heart Association Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships
The American Heart Association (AHA), in partnership with Autism Speaks, is announcing their 2026 Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships. This joint initiative supports research at the intersection of autism, cardiovascular health and brain health.
Focused on advancing research at the intersection of autism, cardiovascular health, and brain health has two fellowship opportunities. These fellowships aim to close critical knowledge gaps and improve health equity for autistic individuals who face significantly higher risks for conditions like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes.The 2026 AHA Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships include a $40,000/year award (or $80,000/2 years) for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers whose work can help close critical knowledge gaps and improve health equity for autistic people.
Fellowship Highlights
Application Opens: July 1, 2025
Submission Deadline: Early September 2025
Award Start Date: January 1, 2026
Eligibility
Predoctoral: Must be enrolled full-time in a relevant doctoral program (Access the RFA)
Postdoctoral: Must hold a doctoral-level degree and be within 5 years of research training (Access the RFA)
U.S.-based nonprofit institutions only
Applicants must be AHA Professional Members
Fellowship Webinar
A webinar was hosted to walk through the application process and answer any questions you may have. Missed the webinar? Watch the recording here.- Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University
About
Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University is a multidisciplinary, multicultural graduate scholarship program. Each Knight-Hennessy scholar receives up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies at Stanford while participating in engaging experiences that prepare scholars to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders who address complex challenges facing the world.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply to the 2026 cohort of Knight-Hennessy Scholars if you earned (or will earn) your bachelor's degree in 2019 or later. For military (active or veteran) applicants, you are eligible if you earned your bachelor's degree in 2017 or later. Additionally, current Stanford PhD students in the first year of enrollment may apply if starting at KHS in the second year of PhD enrollment.Deadline
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) application to join the 2025 cohort is now closed. The KHS application to join the 2026 cohort will open on June 1, 2025.
Register for in-person information session at https://apply.knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/register/?id=8ee0fcd0-ba12-492a-b5c2-e947b811e024- Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship
- The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) invites exceptional early career researchers to apply for an ARL Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship that provides recipients the opportunity to pursue independent research of their own choosing that supports the mission of ARL. Candidates must display extraordinary ability in scientific research, show clear promise of becoming outstanding leaders, and are expected to have already successfully tackled a major scientific or engineering problem during their thesis work or to have provided a new approach or insight, evidenced by a recognized impact in their field.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria:
Must have completed all the requirements for a Ph.D. or Sc.D. degree in the physical sciences, life sciences, computational sciences, behavioral sciences, or engineering by October 1, 2025. Applicants who intend to defend their dissertation after October 1, 2025, are not eligible. May not be more than five years beyond the award date of their Ph.D. or Sc.D. by the fellowship application deadline (July 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time). Must demonstrate exceptional qualifications with respect to academic and scholarly achievement, as evidenced by research and publication. Are expected to have conducted research on a major scientific or engineering problem during their thesis work or have provided a new approach or insight, evidenced by a recognized impact in their field. There are no citizenship requirements; however, selected fellows must pass a Department of Defense (DoD) clearance process, requiring a background security investigation. Foreign nationals must get further DoD approval, requiring a background investigation.
Fellowship benefits: Full-time, one-year in-residence appointment at ARL, renewable for up to three years based on performance. Annual stipend of $115,000. Health insurance (including dental and vision). Paid relocation and professional travel allowance.
Interested candidates can find additional information and apply at https://arldpf.nationalacademies.org - Fulbright Israel
Fulbright Israel is excited to announce the call for applications for 1-2 year Postdoctoral fellowships for the 2026-2027 cycle! We seek the brightest and most innovative scholars who aspire to research in Israel and join the Fulbright heritage.
In addition to supporting a general Postdoctoral Fellowship with any accredited Israeli institutions, Fulbright Israel supports specific Fellowships with the University of Haifa, Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Weizmann Institute of Science, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Fellowships include a stipend of $95,000 (47,500 per academic year for two years), airfare reimbursement, and partial reimbursement of children's educational expenses.
More Information: https://www.fulbright.org.il/postdoctoral- AAUW International Fellowships
- International Fellowships are awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited U.S. institutions are supported.
Applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree by the application deadline, and they must have applied to their proposed institutions of study by the time of the application. Up to five International Master’s/First Professional Degree Fellowships are renewable for a second year. Fellows will receive application information for this competitive program. Recipients are selected for academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to women and girls. Recipients return to their home countries to become leaders in business, government, academia, community activism, the arts or scientific fields.
Master’s/first professional degree: $20,000
Doctoral: $25,000
Postdoctoral: $50,000
https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international/ - National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) Postdoctoral Fellowship Award
- NAF Post-doctoral Fellowship Awards provides one-year support for early-career researchers conducting innovative studies that can expand our understanding of the cause, pathogenesis, or treatment of hereditary, sporadic, and acquired ataxias. This fellowship is intended to foster the development of promising scientists by supporting mentored research experiences that build toward independent research careers. Funded projects are expected to generate high-quality preliminary data, strengthen research skills, and position fellows for future grant applications and academic advancement.
• Funding Period: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
• Grant Amount: Up to $35,000
• Use of Funds: Funds may be used for direct research expenses only.
• Indirect Costs/Cost Sharing: Not allowed.
• No-Cost Extensions (NCE): Considered only under extenuating circumstances and subject to NAF approval.
Important Dates: All documents due by 11:59 pm Eastern time zone on the dates listed. Letter of Intent deadline August 15, 2025: https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FY2026-LOI-Instructions.pdf
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Have completed a PhD, equivalent research degree program (e.g., PharmD, PsyD, ScD), formally combined MD/PhD program, or other combined professional/clinical and research doctoral degree (e.g., DDS/PhD).
2. Hold a full-time post-doctoral appointment at an academic institution, non-profit organization, or for-profit company.
3. Have completed at least one year of post-doctoral training, but not more than four years of postdoctoral training at the time of application.
4. Applications are open to U.S. and international researchers; non-U.S. citizens are eligible.
5. Applicants who were the lead Principal Investigator (PI) on a funded NAF grant within the past two fiscal years are ineligible.
6. Applicants who previously were awarded a NAF Post-doctoral Fellowship award are ineligible.
7. Applicants must be in good standing with any previous NAF awards, as defined by the NAF Research Grants Policy.
8. Only one application may be submitted per applicant (as lead PI) per year; applicants should carefully select the program that best matches their career stage and research proposal.
For any questions about the Letter of intent or Grant Application Process, please contact Aimee Alcott at Aimee@ataxia.org. - National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) Graduate Research Fellowship
The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) is committed to supporting the next generation of researchers working to improve the lives of individuals affected by ataxia. The NAF Graduate Research Fellowship is a one-year, non-renewable award that provides funding to outstanding graduate students conducting research that contributes to the understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of hereditary, sporadic, or acquired ataxias. Proposals across the spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research are accepted. The goal of this fellowship is to foster early engagement in the ataxia research field and support the development of foundational skills for future scientific careers.
• Funding Period: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
• Grant Amount: Up to $25,000
• Use of Funds: Funds may be used for direct research expenses only.
• Indirect Costs/Cost Sharing: Not allowed.
• Personnel Costs: All or part of funds can be used to support the fellows salary.
• No-Cost Extensions (NCE): Considered only under extenuating circumstances and subject to NAF approval.
Important Dates: All documents due by 11:59 pm Eastern time zone on the dates listed. Letter of Intent deadline August 15, 2025: https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FY2026-LOI-Instructions.pdf
Applicants must meet the following requirements:1. Have a baccalaureate degree or equivalent
2. Be currently enrolled in a PhD or equivalent research degree program (e.g., PharmD, PsyD, ScD), a formally combined MD/PhD program, or other combined professional/clinical and research doctoral (e.g., DDS/PhD) at a not-for-profit U.S. or foreign institution of higher education at the time of application.
3. Have successfully completed their qualifying exams, or equivalent, in their respective programs by the final grant due date and have a chosen thesis advisor.
4. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for a NAF grant award.
5. Applicants who previously were awarded a NAF Pre-doctoral Fellowship award or are a recipient of another fellowship / studentship / scholarship during the grant award period are ineligible.
6. Only one application may be submitted per applicant (as lead PI) per year; applicants should carefully select the program that best matches their career stage and research proposal.
7. Have identified a research project, show evidence of high academic performance in the sciences, and a commitment to a career as an independent research scientist, or as an independent physician-scientist or other clinician-scientist (dual-degree training) with a specialized interest in ataxias. The primary sponsor should be an active investigator and be committed both to the candidate’s research training and to direct supervision of his/her/their research.
8. Applicants that identify with an underrepresented group are encouraged to consider applying for Pre-Doctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Ataxia Research grant.
For any questions about the Letter of intent or Grant Application Process, please contact Aimee Alcott at Aimee@ataxia.org.- National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) Diversity in Ataxia Research Fellowship
The NAF Diversity in Ataxia Research Fellowship is a competitive, merit-based, non-renewable award that provides two years of partial support for the research training of pre-doctoral students. This program is designed to enhance the diversity of the ataxia research workforce by supporting individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the field. Fellowships are awarded annually to outstanding graduate students from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in biomedical research, individuals with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. NAF welcomes proposals across the full spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research, as long as the project demonstrates a clear and significant focus on improving our understanding of hereditary, sporadic, or acquired forms of ataxia. NAF believes that diversity is essential to driving innovation, equity, and excellence in ataxia research. We are committed to fostering an inclusive scientific community that reflects a broad range of perspectives and experiences.
• Funding Period: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2028
• Grant Amount: $50,000 total ($25,000 per year)
• Use of Funds: Funds may be used for direct research expenses only.
• Indirect Costs/Cost Sharing: Not allowed.
• Personnel Costs: All or part of funds can be used to support the fellow’s annual stipend.
• No-Cost Extensions (NCE): Considered only under extenuating circumstances and subject to NAF approval.
• Progress Report: A progress report is required 11 months after the start of the grant funding term. The second year of funding is contingent on demonstration of progress by the awardee. NAF retains the right to unilaterally cancel any awards for non-compliance or non-performance.
Important Dates: All documents due by 11:59 pm Eastern time zone on the dates listed. Letter of Intent deadline August 15, 2025: https://www.ataxia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FY2026-LOI-Instructions.pdfAt the time of application, the applicant must:
1. Have a baccalaureate degree or equivalent and be currently enrolled in a PhD or equivalent research degree program (e.g., PharmD, PsyD, ScD), a formally combined MD/PhD program, or other combined professional/clinical and research doctoral (e.g., DDS/PhD) at a not-for-profit U.S. institution of higher education at the time of application.
2. Have successfully completed their qualifying exams, or equivalent in their respective programs by the final grant due date.
3. Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, or individual granted Temporary Protected Status.
4. Identify as one or more of the following:
i. An individual from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., including but not limited to Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders. Individuals from racial or ethnic groups not listed here that can be demonstrated convincingly to be underrepresented by the grantee institution are also encouraged to apply.
ii. An individual who identifies as LGBTQIA+.
iii. Individuals with a disability, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
5. Have identified a research project, show evidence of high academic performance in the sciences, and a commitment to a career as an independent research scientist, or as an independent physician-scientist or other clinician-scientist (dual-degree training) with a specialized interest in ataxias. The primary sponsor should be an active investigator and be committed both to the candidate’s research training and to direct supervision of his/her/their research.
6. Applicants who previously were awarded a NAF Pre-doctoral Fellowship award or are a recipient of another fellowship / studentship / scholarship during the grant award period are ineligible.
7. Only one application may be submitted per applicant per year; applicants should carefully select the program that best matches their career stage and research proposal.
For any questions about the Letter of intent or Grant Application Process, please contact Aimee Alcott at Aimee@ataxia.org.