Grants for Postdocs / Early Career Researchers (ECRs)
27 funding opportunities for postdoctoral researchers and early career researchers building independent careers.
Global Fellowships & Programs
Open to postdocs worldwide
Schmidt Science Fellows
| Organization: Schmidt Sciences | Amount: $100,000/year for 2 years | Deadline: Typically February |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Environment & Earth
Postdoctoral program for STEM PhDs to pivot to new fields
L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science
| Organization: L’Oréal Foundation & UNESCO | Amount: €15,000 (International Rising Talents) | Deadline: Varies by country |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Environment & Earth
Recognition and support for women scientists
Fast Grants
| Organization: Fast Grants | Amount: $10,000-$500,000 | Deadline: Rolling (rapid decisions) |
Domains: Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Rapid funding for COVID and science projects (varies by availability)
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative - Science
| Organization: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative | Amount: Variable (typically millions) | Deadline: Varies by program |
Domains: Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Computer Science & AI
Various programs supporting biomedical research and AI
United States
NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award
| Organization: National Institutes of Health | Amount: Up to $249,000 (K99) + $249,000/year (R00) | Deadline: February, June, October |
Domains: Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Transition award from postdoc to independent researcher
NIH R01 Research Project Grant
| Organization: National Institutes of Health | Amount: Variable (typically $250,000-$500,000/year) | Deadline: Rolling (multiple cycles) |
Domains: Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Major NIH grant for independent research projects
NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
| Organization: National Science Foundation | Amount: $69,000/year salary + $10,000 research | Deadline: Varies by program |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Social Sciences & Policy
Postdoctoral fellowships across NSF disciplines
NASA Postdoctoral Program
| Organization: NASA | Amount: $60,000-$80,000/year | Deadline: March, July, November |
Domains: Engineering & Physical Sciences, Environment & Earth, Computer Science & AI
Postdoctoral fellowships at NASA centers
NEH Fellowships
| Organization: National Endowment for the Humanities | Amount: $5,000/month for 6-12 months | Deadline: April (annually) |
Domains: Humanities & Arts, Social Sciences & Policy
Support for advanced research in the humanities
United Kingdom
Royal Society University Research Fellowships
| Organization: Royal Society (UK) | Amount: Up to £1.87M over 8 years (80% FEC) | Deadline: Annual (September) |
Domains: Engineering & Physical Sciences, Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Life Sciences & Biomedicine
8-year fellowships for outstanding theoretical scientists 3-8 years post-PhD in natural sciences. Host institution commits to open-ended position. Up to 35 awards annually.
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships
| Organization: Leverhulme Trust | Amount: Year 1: £56K (100%); Years 2-3: £28K+£28K match; plus £6K pa research | Deadline: Annual (early February) |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Social Sciences & Policy, Humanities & Arts
3-year fellowships for early-career researchers establishing independent research careers. Viva ≤4 years before application. ~145 awards per year.
Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowships
| Organization: Leverhulme Trust | Amount: Salary + £6,000 research expenses | Deadline: January (annually) |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Environment & Earth, Social Sciences & Policy, Humanities & Arts
For experienced researchers to undertake significant research
UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships
| Organization: UK Research and Innovation | Amount: £1-1.5 million over 4-7 years | Deadline: Varies (typically biannual) |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Environment & Earth, Social Sciences & Policy, Humanities & Arts
Support for early career researchers and innovators
Wellcome Trust Career Development Awards
| Organization: Wellcome Trust | Amount: £1-2 million over 5 years | Deadline: Rolling |
Domains: Life Sciences & Biomedicine
For postdocs and early career researchers in biomedical science
British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships
| Organization: British Academy | Amount: 3 years salary + research costs (£350k total) | Deadline: October (annually) |
Domains: Humanities & Arts, Social Sciences & Policy
For early career researchers in humanities and social sciences
Europe / EU
ERC Starting Grant
| Organization: European Research Council | Amount: €1.5 million over 5 years | Deadline: Typically October |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Environment & Earth, Social Sciences & Policy, Humanities & Arts
For researchers 2-7 years post-PhD with promising scientific track record
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships
| Organization: European Commission | Amount: €5,000/month + mobility allowance | Deadline: September (annually) |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Environment & Earth, Social Sciences & Policy, Humanities & Arts
Postdoctoral fellowships for researchers of any nationality
EMBO Long-Term Fellowships
| Organization: EMBO | Amount: ~€5,000/month + travel/family allowances | Deadline: February, August |
Domains: Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Postdoctoral fellowships in life sciences
Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship
| Organization: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation | Amount: €2,670-€3,170/month | Deadline: Rolling applications |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Environment & Earth, Social Sciences & Policy, Humanities & Arts
Research stays in Germany for experienced researchers
European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Interdisciplinary Postdocs
| Organization: EMBL | Amount: Competitive salary + benefits | Deadline: Spring and Fall |
Domains: Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Computer Science & AI
Interdisciplinary postdoctoral positions at EMBL
Asia-Pacific
NRF Fellowship (Singapore)
| Organization: National Research Foundation Singapore | Amount: Up to S$3.5 million over 5 years | Deadline: Typically June |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine
For outstanding early-career researchers to start independent careers in Singapore
ARC DECRA (Australia)
| Organization: Australian Research Council | Amount: A$465,000 over 3 years | Deadline: March (annually) |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Environment & Earth, Social Sciences & Policy, Humanities & Arts
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
NHMRC Investigator Grants (Australia)
| Organization: National Health and Medical Research Council | Amount: Variable (5 years) | Deadline: March (annually) |
Domains: Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Support for health and medical researchers at different career stages
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Japan)
| Organization: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science | Amount: ¥362,000/month + research allowance | Deadline: Varies by country |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Data & Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Environment & Earth, Social Sciences & Policy, Humanities & Arts
Postdoctoral fellowships for research in Japan
Canada
Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA)
| Organization: Tri-agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC), Canada | Amount: CAD $70,000/year for 2 years | Deadline: Annual competition |
Domains: Computer Science & AI, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Social Sciences & Policy, Humanities & Arts
Harmonized postdoctoral fellowship program in Canada for exceptional applicants nationally and internationally. This program replaces the former Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program.