About the Awards
Self-nominations are invited for the 2026 Postdoctoral Excellence Award. This award is offered to recognize the vital role that Postdoctoral Scholars play in maintaining the reputation of excellence at the University of California Davis.
A certificate and $500 will be conferred to each awardee. Up to three awards will be made.
The deadline for nominations is February 25, 2026, 11:59 pm.
For any questions, please email us at [email protected].
- Award Eligibility
UC Davis postdoctoral scholars who have a minimum of one year of postdoctoral study at UC Davis, less than six years total postdoctoral experience, and will be in their position until at least May 31, 2026, may nominate themselves.
Only individuals appointed in the following title codes are eligible:
3252 – Postdoctoral Scholar - Employee
3253 – Postdoctoral Scholar - Fellow
3254 – Postdoctoral Scholar – Paid-Direct
3255 - Postdoctoral Scholar – Employee NEX
3256 - Interim Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee- Qualifications
- Nominees must have outstanding research accomplishments. Criteria include, but are not limited to:
• Innovation in research and impact on the field
• Research productivity and quality as a UC Davis postdoctoral scholar, as demonstrated by publications, presentations, awards, podcasts, public engagements, etc
• Commitment to teaching, mentoring, serving, and/or providing public scholarship and communication to help broaden the perspectives within higher education
- Self-Nominations
- Self-nominations must be submitted in the form of a letter describing the candidate’s accomplishments and contributions. The letter should be specific, comprehensive, and no longer than two typewritten pages. In the letter, candidates should describe the significance, originality, and impact of their work, addressing the following criteria as appropriate to their discipline and career stage:
• Innovation in research and impact on the field, including how the nominee's work advances knowledge, methods, or practice
• Research productivity and quality as a UC Davis postdoctoral scholar, as demonstrated through publications, presentations, awards, podcasts, public engagements, or other scholarly outputs
• Commitment to teaching, mentoring, serving, and/or providing public scholarship and communication to help broaden the perspectives within higher education
Candidates are encouraged to use concrete examples, outcomes, and evidence to illustrate their contributions.
Limit: 2 pages
Please submit self-nomination, research abstract, and CV no later than Wednesday, February 25, 2026, by 11:59 pm Pacific Time on https://grad.ucdavis.edu/postdoctoral-research-excellence-award. - Letter of Recommendation #1: Supervisor
- Please provide a letter of recommendation contextualizing the nominee’s accomplishments in innovation, research, outreach, and mentoring, including an assessment of how the nominee compares to other postdoctoral scholars you have supervised. The committee seeks to understand the qualities and accomplishments that make the nominee outstanding within their field and career stage; we therefore especially welcome information about the collaborative and public outreach dimensions of their work.
Limit: 3 pages.
The recommender should email the letter of recommendation directly, as a pdf attachment, no later than Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, by 11:59 pm Pacific Time to Kevin Porter, Program Coordinator, GradPathways: [email protected]. - Letter of Recommendation #2: UC Davis Supporter (faculty, staff, fellow postdoc, or student)
- Please provide a letter of recommendation offering your perspective on the nominee’s contributions outside of primary research supervision. Letters may be submitted by UC Davis faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, or undergraduate students who have direct experience with the nominee’s work. We are especially interested in assessment of the nominee’s teaching, mentoring, service, and/or public scholarship or communication, as appropriate to your relationship with the nominee. Your insights will help the selection committee understand how the nominee’s work is meaningful, effective, and distinguished within their community or context, and so specific examples of contributions and impact are welcome.
Limit: 3 pages.
The recommender should email the letter of recommendation directly, as a pdf attachment, no later than Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, by 11:59 pm Pacific Time to Kevin Porter, Program Coordinator, GradPathways: [email protected].
- Checklist
- A complete self-nomination will include:
• Self-nomination letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Abstract or Research Statement
• First letter of recommendation: from PI - emailed directly by autho
• Second letter of recommendation: from another UC Davis supporter (faculty, staff, fellow Postdoc, or student) - emailed directly - emailed directly by author - Selection
- Nominees are reviewed and rated by the officers of the Postdoctoral Scholars Association, who recommend finalists to the Associate Deans of Graduate Studies for joint final deliberations. Awards will be announced the week of April 3, 2026, and presented at the Postdoctoral Scholars Association Annual Symposium, April 24, 2026.
THE SELF-NOMINATION PORTAL IS NOW CLOSED