NSF: Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (19-597)

The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) awards Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) to recent recipients of the doctoral degree for research and training in selected areas supported by BIO and with special goals for human resource development in biology. The fellowships encourage independence at an early stage of the research career to permit Fellows to pursue their research and training goals in the most appropriate research locations, regardless of the availability of funding for the Fellows at that site. For applications under this solicitation, these areas are:

  • (1) Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology
  • (2) Interdisciplinary Research Using Biological Collections
  • (3) National Plant Genome Initiative (NPGI) Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
  • (4) Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interactions Between Genomes, Environment and Phenotypes.

The PRFB awards are intended primarily for graduate students who are seeking independent support for their first postdoctoral position, or fellows early in their postdoctoral careers. In Competitive Areas 1, 2 and 4, applicants should not have served in any position that requires the doctoral degree for more than nine full time months prior to the deadline. In Competitive Area 3, applicants should not have served in any position that requires the doctoral degree for more than 12 full time months prior to the deadline.

To be eligible for any Competitive Area, you must:

  • be a U.S. citizen (or national) or a U.S. permanent resident, e., have a “green card,” when applying;
  • present a research plan that falls within the purview of BIO and the focus for one of the selected areas, as described in this solicitation;
  • earn the doctoral degree in an appropriate field prior to beginning the fellowship;
  • select sponsoring scientists, departments, and institutions that offer a significant opportunity to broaden your research focus and training; and
  • not have submitted the same research to another NSF postdoctoral fellowship program.

Due Date: November 19, 2019