Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative is dedicated to supporting the growth of the postdoctoral community under the broad umbrella of environmental change at Notre Dame.
The goal of ND-ECI’s Partial Postdoctoral Fellowship (PPF) program is to stimulate research and scholarship while helping to create a vibrant postdoctoral community via interdisciplinary training.
ND-ECI postdocs benefit from being co-located at our space in McCourtney East, enhancing their ability to collaborate across disciplines and engage with cutting-edge facilities and campus-wide research initiatives. Through peer mentorship, research seminars, and cohort-building activities, postdoctoral fellows interact with a community of diverse scholars and are empowered to produce high-impact environmental research that serves society.
Eligibility
Proposals may be submitted by:
- A Notre Dame faculty member who, if awarded, will recruit a postdoctoral fellow to do the described research activities.
- A postdoctoral fellow (current or future) who has communicated with and has the explicit approval of a Notre Dame faculty member who will serve as their advisor.
All proposed research conducted by PPF scholars must synergize with the research of an ND-ECI affiliated faculty member who will act as the primary postdoctoral mentor.
Funding
Year one funding includes $30,000 (40% of ND’s base annual postdoc salary with benefits) and up to $1000 (upon request) for travel to a professional conference to present current research.
An optional second year of funding of $19,000 (25% ND’s annual postdoc salary with benefits) is based on availability and continued strong progress and community engagement by the fellow.
Deadline
Our next funding call will open in Fall 2026. Please submit your short proposal to ND-ECI Program Director Alex Hardy at alexhardy@nd.edu.
Grant Period
The funding duration for the PPF program is one year, with an option to continue for a second year. PPF scholars must begin their ND-ECI postdoctoral fellowship within six months of the award date unless approved.
PROPOSAL FORMAT AND SUBMISSION
Proposal Length: Five page maximum
Each proposal much include the following items in the order listed:
- Title, applicant contact information and faculty mentor information.
- Description of research activity and or question to be addressed.
- Importance and potential impact of research activity.
- Approach and methods or other appropriate narrative to describe research activities.
- Goals and mechanisms for translational outcomes, including scholarly products, management/policy, and new proposals.
- Project activity timeline, including deliverables. Please include start and end dates and any interim dates of importance.
- Brief budget that outlines current or pending sources of funding. Please include all internal and external proposals and awards related to the described research activities, as well as specific information on the funding that will be used to cost-share this position.
- References cited.
ACCEPTANCE CONDITIONS
If successfully funded, the following Terms of Award are required by the PPF scholar:
- Work from the ND-ECI interdisciplinary space in McCourtney East for at least 50% of the work week.
- Participate enthusiastically in ND-ECI seminars and events.
- Affiliate any resulting proposal submissions and publications with ND-ECI.
- Provide a headshot and short bio for use on the ND-ECI website.
- Submit an ND-ECI Postdoc Progress Report at the conclusion of each funding year. The report should include a brief summary of annual activities (e.g., manuscript submissions, publications, grant proposals, teaching, outreach, and mentoring).
Any award funds not spent within one year of the PPF scholar start date will be returned to ND-ECI. Additionally, if the PPF scholar leaves the University prior to completion of the fellowship, ND-ECI must be promptly notified of the departure and the prorated award amount (based on 12 month appointment) will be returned to ND-ECI.