Career Development Awards

The University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Association provides annual career development awards for purposes of supplementing and encouraging attendance to events and programs furthering professional development such as conferences, workshops, and seminars.  Each successful recipient will receive up to $500 to be used to supplement costs of travel and/or registration of such events.  During the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 cycles, 6 awards will be offered per cycle. The Postdoctoral Association may prioritize awards to applicants that did not receive funding in the previous calls.  The awarded money must be used for the approved expense (proposed conference, workshop, etc.).  If this is not possible due to extenuating circumstances, the Postdoctoral Association Steering Committee must approve any changes in what the award is used for.   

The deadlines for the Fall 2023 cycle are now closed. Please see below for this fall's recipients! Applications for the Spring 2024 cycle will open in  2024 and we will make announcements her and via email.

Please email pda@umn.edu if you have questions!

See an example of the previous application form here.

Previously offered funding that is unfortunately unavailable this year... Interested in accessing this funding in the future?? Please email pda@umn.edu and let us know!

Postdoc Career Awards: Sustaining Professional Development During a Pandemic

Deadline has passed

Given the limitations on travel and conference attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic, the UMN Postdoctoral Association wants to help support the postdoc community as they continue in their positions. We accepted applications for financial support to enable participation in professional development or training activities such as virtual conferences, workshops, or courses (also inclusive of anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion training) that support career advancement. The amount of support requested is up to the applicant, but needs to be justified and cannot exceed $500.

See last cycle's application form here

Postdoc Event Grants

Do you have a great idea for an event that would interest postdocs? Is your on-campus group, department, or college looking for funding for your programming? The UMN Postdoctoral Association is able to financially support career development events hosted by other groups on campus. See the announcement below to find out more information on how to apply, and email pda@umn.edu with additional questions.