Open Call: American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship (US)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship provides $50,000 to eligible women in academia to undertake independent postdoctoral research for one year. The fellowship supports researchers across all academic disciplines, with particular encouragement for women working in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), or research focused on gender issues. Applicants must hold a qualifying doctoral degree earned on or after August 30, 2023, meet U.S. citizenship or residency requirements, and undertake full-time postdoctoral research at an eligible institution. American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship Overview The American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship is designed to support women researchers during the early stages of their academic careers. The fellowship provides financial resources for one year of independent research, helping early-career postdoctoral scholars develop their research programs, strengthen their academic careers, and contribute to research and academic leadership. Established in 1888, the fellowship is part of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) tradition of supporting women in higher education and research. What Is the Purpose of the Fellowship? The fellowship aims to increase the participation and leadership of women in: - Research - Development - Higher education - Academic leadership - Scholarly and professional careers The program provides early-career researchers with dedicated time and financial support to conduct independent research. Applicants from all fields of study are eligible.

Particular encouragement is given to applicants working in

- Science - Technology - Engineering - Mathematics - Gender-related research American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship Award Amount Each selected fellow receives a $50,000 stipend. The fellowship is paid in two equal installments: - $25,000 at the beginning of the fellowship term - $25,000 at the midpoint of the fellowship term The funding supports the fellow during the designated research period. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet requirements concerning gender identity, doctoral qualifications, citizenship or residency, research status, and fellowship timing.

Eligible applicants must:

- Identify as a woman. - Hold a qualifying doctoral degree. - Have earned the qualifying doctoral degree on or after August 30, 2023. - Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident. - Conduct full-time postdoctoral research. - Begin the postdoctoral program on or before September 2027. - Complete the postdoctoral program on or after April 30, 2028. - Conduct the research at an accredited U.S. institution or eligible international institution. Eligible U.S. Jurisdictions Applicants must meet the citizenship, nationality, or permanent residency requirements connected to an eligible U.S. jurisdiction.

These include:

- The 50 States - District of Columbia - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - Guam - United States Virgin Islands - American Samoa - Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Applicants should verify their specific status against the current fellowship requirements. Doctoral Degree Requirement A central eligibility requirement is the date on which the applicant earned the qualifying doctoral degree. For this fellowship, the doctoral degree must have been earned on or after August 30, 2023. Applicants should ensure that their degree date falls within the specified eligibility period before applying. Postdoctoral Research Requirements The fellowship is intended for independent postdoctoral research.

Successful applicants must:

- Work full-time on their research. - Undertake the research during the designated fellowship period. - Be affiliated with an eligible accredited institution. - Begin the postdoctoral program no later than September 2027. - Complete the program on or after April 30, 2028. The fellowship is therefore particularly relevant to early-career researchers who are transitioning from doctoral study into independent academic research. Who Is Not Eligible? Certain individuals are excluded from the fellowship because of program restrictions and conflict-of-interest requirements.

Ineligible applicants include:

- Current AAUW Board members. - AAUW employees. - AAUW fellowship or grant review panelists. - Immediate family members covered by the program’s conflict-of-interest restrictions. - Applicants for another national AAUW fellowship or grant during the same year. - Previous recipients of the American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship. - Tenured professors. Applicants should carefully review the current eligibility rules before preparing an application. Why the Fellowship Matters The transition from doctoral study to independent research can be an important stage in an academic career. Researchers may need dedicated time and financial resources to establish independent research programs, produce scholarly work, and develop their professional profiles. The American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship helps address this need by providing substantial direct financial support.

The fellowship can help:

- Give early-career researchers dedicated research time. - Support independent scholarly work. - Strengthen women’s participation in academic research. - Promote women’s advancement into research leadership. - Support STEM researchers. - Encourage research related to gender issues. - Help postdoctoral scholars establish their academic careers. What Does Independent Research Mean? Independent research refers to scholarly work in which the postdoctoral researcher takes a substantial role in developing and carrying out the research project. The applicant should be able to clearly explain: - The research question. - The objectives of the project. - The methodology or research approach. - The expected contribution to the field. - Why the research is important. - How the fellowship period will advance the applicant’s research career. A well-defi