Postdoctoral Research Development Grants - Apply Now!

by Amable Ribeiro
Typing on a computer

Award Cycle: Annual 
Limit on Proposals per PI: An individual may apply for one PRDG per cycle and may be awarded only one PRDG while a postdoctoral scholar at UArizona. 
Next Due Date: March 30, 2023, 5pm MST
Earliest Start Date: July 1, 2023
Award Period: July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024
Application: Opens Friday, January 20, 2023; Accepted through Arizona Cultivate

Description: Postdoctoral Research Development Grants (PRDG) were established to support University of Arizona (UArizona) postdoctoral scholars in the development of their independent research skills to advance their career goals. There are two types of PRDGs: 

  1. New Project PRDG (Funds up to $2000 provided): These grants are designed to promote independence of postdoctoral scholars by providing funds to conduct a small research project that is not financially supported by the primary postdoctoral mentor or the current postdoctoral stipend. Proposals that include collaborations between two or more postdoctoral scholars from different disciplines are encouraged. 
  2. New Skills Training PRDG (Funds up to $1500 provided): These grants are designed to promote independence of postdoctoral scholars by providing funds to obtain additional research training or experience that is outside the scope of their current postdoctoral appointments. Examples of a New Skills Training PRDG include funding for a workshop or webinar to gain additional research training not available on campus or funds to travel to another institution to learn a new research technique or approach. Requests to cover costs of attending and presenting research at annual meetings will not generally be eligible. 

Expected Outcomes: Award recipients must provide a summary (250 word maximum) of their accomplishments associated with the PRDG funding. This will be due no more than one month after the training/project is completed. 

Proposal preparation, submission, and processing information is available in the RII Proposal Preparation Guide (PPG). The PPG includes requirements for the project narrative and supplemental documents; it is strongly encouraged that interested applicants read the PPG in full. Solicitation specific information below supersedes information presented in the PPG.

Solicitation Requirements:

1. Eligibility: Applicants must (a) be no more than seven years since earning a doctoral degree, (b) have a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRA) appointment or other acceptable position at the UArizona at the time the application is submitted, and (c) have been a postdoctoral scholar at the UArizona for at least 6 months at the time funding would begin (July 1, 2023). [For postdoctoral scholars who do not hold a PRA appointment, please inquire about eligibility before submitting materials by emailing postdoc@arizona.edu.

2. Review Criteria: Reviews will be based on:

  • Overall merit of the proposal for advancing the applicant’s independence and career goals
  • Letter of support from the primary mentor

Note that proposals should be written for a general audience. Avoid use of technical language when possible so that reviewers from a broad range of disciplines can understand the content.

3. Application:

  • Narrative: 500 word maximum, that explains:
    • Career Goal(s): A short description of your career goals;
    • Descriptions of Project / Training: The proposed research project or training (nature, duration, logistics, etc.) that the funds will be used to support. Note that this must be written for a nonspecialist audience, as the reviewers of the proposal will represent a diverse range of disciplines. Proposals written for a specialist audience are unlikely to be understood and hence will be disadvantaged for funding;
    • Advancement Potential: How the research project or training will (a) enhance your research skills, (b) increase your independence, and (c) advance your career.
  • Biosketch: Use NSF, NIH, or agency style suitable to your area of research.
  • Budget (up to $2,000 for a New Project PRDG and up to $1,500 for a New Skills Training PRDG) and budget justification using the attached Excel template for items such as:
    • Workshop registration fee
    • Travel expenses (airfare, lodging, meals)
    • Software or hardware
    • Short-term hourly student wages
    • Participant fees
    • Supplies
    • Note that the budget may be adjusted based on the evaluation and availability of funds. Funds will not be provided for personnel salaries or expenses that could reasonably be covered by the mentor’s research grants.
  • Letter of support from applicant’s primary UA postdoctoral mentor: The letter should address how the proposed project or training will enhance the applicant’s independence and express strong support of the applicant and their career goal(s). The letter must also include a statement that the applicant’s appointment will extend into the next year and makes the case that the proposed project/activity lies outside the scope of the mentor’s research. 

Questions about the PRDG application: postdoc@arizona.edu

Questions about Arizona Cultivate: resdev@arizona.edu