Office of the Vice Provost for Research

The Postdoctoral Fellowship for Academic Diversity Program is a competitive program that seeks to attract promising scholars and educators from different backgrounds, races, ethnic groups, and other diverse groups whose life experience, research experience and employment background will contribute significantly to our academic excellence. Fellowships are available for postdoctoral training in all areas of study at Penn. Successful candidates will receive highly mentored scholarly and research training as well as courses and workshops to enhance their research success skills and prepare them for a faculty position in a major university. 

Eligibility

• Graduate students from PENN and other institutions who have completed, or will complete their requirements for Ph.D. by the Fellowship start date.
• Postdoctoral scholars from other institutions who have completed their dissertation within the last three years.
• Professional applicants (M.D., D.M.D., V.M.D., J.D., etc) within a year of completing their post-degree professional training.
• Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents.
• Postdocs, residents and fellows who currently have a position at Penn are ineligible for this program.

Awards:
The three year fellowships will begin as early as January 2, 2013.
Fellows receive a stipend of $43,000 in year 1 with $2,000 increments in years 2 and 3, as well as annual allowances for travel ($2,000) and research ($5,000), and a one-time relocation expense of $5,000. The University also provides a medical, vision, dental and life insurance benefits package. Successful candidates will receive highly mentored scholarly and research training as well as courses and workshops to enhance their research success skills and prepare them for a faculty position in a major university.

Please note that this is a shared program between the Provost's office and the schools with each  contributing half of all associated funding.

Application Procedure:
Required application materials include:

1. A completed fellowship application form
2. A curriculum vitae including current and pending publications
3. A personal statement, no longer than three pages, which addresses the following:
   • reviews your previous research accomplishments
   • outlines your future research goals and proposed research
   • describes your commitment to pursuing an academic career
   • includes academic, employment or other life experiences that would bring new perspectives to the University community and your chosen field
4. Three letters of reference from people acquainted with the applicant’s work. One reference letter should be from the applicant's thesis advisor or faculty mentor. Reference letters must be submitted electronically in pdf format on letterhead stationery. Email subject line should be applicant's name followed by the words reference letter, e.g. Jane Smith - Reference letter
5. In addition, applicants are encouraged to submit a letter from a Penn faculty member having similar research interests confirming that he/she is willing to serve as the applicant’s primary mentor during the fellowship period. This letter should be submitted with the application materials.

Academic Diversity Fellowship Program Application

Application Deadline: Please contact pdfellow@exchange.upenn.edu for deadline information.

If you have any questions please contact Josie Rook, Executive Director, Office of the Vice Provost for Research at pdfellow@exchange.upenn.edu