Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship

Program Overview

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is enriched by scholars whose backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences reflect the broad range of our global society. The Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship supports promising researchers and educators whose work and life experiences strengthen academic excellence and contribute to a more inclusive, engaged scholarly community. This program reflects CU Boulder’s commitment to fostering an intellectually vibrant environment where a wide range of voices and ideas can thrive. Through faculty mentoring, professional development, and academic networking, Fellows develop the skills and connections needed to launch successful academic careers.

Email questions to cpfellows@colorado.edu.

Eligibility

Applicants must have earned a doctorate or other terminal degree before July 1, 2026 and must have completed that degree within the last three years (2023 or after). Applicants should be preparing for an academic career in research, scholarship or creative work. Faculty mentors must be tenured or tenure-track faculty at CU Boulder.

Successful international applicants may be sponsored for a visa depending on the hiring department’s available funding and the applicant’s eligibility under university policies and applicable law. Visa sponsorship is managed by the International Students and Scholar Services office, in collaboration with the faculty mentor and hiring department. Sponsorship will be evaluated before any official offer is extended.

Fellowships

The one-year fellowship provides a base salary of $60,000, which may be supplemented by campus units up to $75,000 subject to qualifications, departmental discretion, and funding availability. The fellowship offers an additional, one-time $5,000 in professional development funding. The fellowship includes medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance benefits. Moving expenses and signing bonuses may be provided contingent on the department’s moving reimbursement and signing bonus policies.  

Two fellowships are anticipated annually.

Application Process and Requirements

The below materials must be uploaded in the online portal.

  1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  2. Personal Statement (4-page, 2,000-word maximum, single-spaced) including:
    • Research, scholarly and creative work plan for the fellowship period;
    • Future academic career goals;
    • Academic and personal experience that will offer different perspectives to the CU Boulder community and your discipline; and
    • Contributions to diversity, equity and inclusive practices in educational or community settings.
  3. Reference Letters (2 in total) – it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure letters are submitted via the online portal by the deadlines.
    • Thesis Advisor: Describe the applicant’s potential for an academic career. Thesis advisors will receive an email requesting the recommendation letter, with a submission deadline of November 10.
    • Joint Faculty Mentor/Department Chair: Describe the applicant’s planned research as well as the facilities and resources available; the mentor’s ability to support the applicant’s career trajectory and commitment to completing an Individual Development Plan with the applicant; and the department’s commitment to actively support and prioritize the applicant for a tenure-track position. This letter should be jointly signed by both the mentor and chair. In some cases, the chair may also act as the mentor. Mentors and chairs will receive an email requesting the recommendation letter, with a submission deadline of November 17.  

Deadlines and Key Dates

  • Online Portal Opens: August 2025
  • Deadline for Curriculum Vitae and Personal Statement: November 3, 2025
  • Deadline for Thesis Advisor Letter: November 10, 2025
  • Deadline for Faculty Mentor and Department Chair Letter: November 17, 2025
  • College/School Committee Submits Rank-Ordered Applicants to cpfellows@colorado.edu: December 15, 2025
  • Final Selection Committee Decisions: February 2026

Evaluation and Selection

Applications are reviewed in three stages and candidates are assessed based on academic accomplishments, personal statement, recommendation letters, prospective scholarly contributions and a successful faculty career at CU Boulder. At the first evaluation stage, faculty in the proposed home department (i.e., chairs, mentors) discuss and rank order candidates, followed by the appropriate school or college’s review (i.e., the dean or their designee). The school or college also takes into consideration the faculty mentor and department’s commitment to the candidate(s). These rankings are submitted to a final, campus-level selection committee, who assess applicants based on feedback from the school(s) or college(s), strategic areas of growth/need and priorities outlined in the IDEA Plan. View the reviewer guidance shared with departments.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Recipients
  • Tenured or Tenure-Track Faculty Mentors
    • Identify common or complementary research, scholarly or creative work interests and agree to mentor the fellow;
    • Assist the fellow to establish a visible, active presence in the department;
    • Meet regularly with the fellow one-on-one and create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with the fellow to track career progress;
    • Encourage the fellow to attend professional development and networking activities offered by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Career Services, PAC Boulder and other campus units;
    • Encourage the fellow to present at conferences and/or symposia;
    • Help the fellow network with other mentors, particularly those of various backgrounds and disciplines to help foster a well-rounded experience; and
    • Provide support and guidance in the fellow’s work while allowing a degree of autonomy; and
    • Advise the fellow about the job market and help facilitate connections.
  • Department
    • Commit to actively support and prioritize the applicant for a tenure-track position using department or college/school resources. It is incumbent upon the department/unit to fund the faculty position. Departmental lines and/or funds from the college/school may be potential avenues of support;
    • Welcome the fellow into departmental activities such as colloquia, seminars, faculty meetings and social gatherings;
    • Onboard fellows like any new hire and provide space, technology, supplies and other necessary resources; and
    • Hire the fellow under the Postdoctoral Associate (1312) job code and coordinate offer letters with the HR Research Service Center (resfachr@colorado.edu).

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