The information below is from the 2020-2021 request for proposals. Please see the opportunity website for updated information.
The University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States (UC MEXUS) and Mexico’s National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) are pleased to announce a joint program to support postdoctoral researchers at the University of California or at Mexican institutions of higher education or research. This postdoctoral research fellowship is for Mexican doctoral degree holders at University of California Campuses and for UC doctoral degree holders at Mexican Institutions. The primary objective of this program is to advance academic scholarship by emerging Mexican researchers and UC scientists and scholars in the early stages of their careers, after obtaining their doctorate. In addition, the program seeks to support existing or developing binational academic networks by enhancing collaborative research projects between UC and Mexican faculty and institutions through the innovative involvement and training of new researchers.
In keeping with these goals, postdoctoral applicants will be considered who will be actively participating in a research project or training program at the host UC campus or Mexican institution, with an emphasis on using the stay to advance their own academic and professional development as well as to solidify future binational research ties and networks. Applicants are encouraged to connect their proposed stays with projects submitted to the UC MEXUS-CONACYT Collaborative Grants Program competition. The program also seeks to support projects that include matching funds, either from the host campus or institution or from other funding sources.
The postdoctoral fellowship is a full-time, in-person commitment at the host institution. Activities for all candidates should include scientific and academic development at the postdoctoral level, with the purpose of providing unique expertise for the applicant, increasing knowledge and access to new techniques and methodologies for the applicant’s future home institution, and/or to initiate a longterm program of research and collaboration between Mexican institutions and the University of California. Teaching and student assistance may be included, if appropriate for increasing academic ties, but the focus of the postdoctoral stay should be based on participation in a research project or program. Preference will be given to applicants whose proposals clearly indicate a strong rationale for conducting a full-time stay at a particular host institution.
Fellowships for Mexican postdoctoral researchers support training and research with a UC host faculty member in the natural, physical or social sciences, humanities, engineering, or computer science. Fellowships for UC postdoctoral scholars support training and research at a Mexican institution of higher education and/or research in the natural, physical or social sciences, humanities, engineering, or computer science.
NOTE: This is one of multiple programs offered through UC MEXUS. Please visit the UC MEXUS Funding Opportunities page for additional information.
Award Amount and Details
Fellowships provide a minimum of $50,760 and maximum of $61,308, depending on the scholar’s qualifications and experience, for a 12-month period.
Deadlines and Date Information
The due dates listed below are the most recent due dates our office is aware of. Please see the opportunity home page for information about potential upcoming deadlines or other opportunities.
Submission of Applications (First Time Applicants)
- To be considered, complete proposals must be submitted to the electronic site not later than 5:00 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2020.
- Required Application Items:
- Application Cover Sheet
- Postdoctoral experience calculation sheet
- Curriculum vitae of applicant
- Abbreviated curriculum vitae of faculty host
- Letter of intent from the faculty host
- Project plan
- Timeline
- Certification of completion of the doctoral degree
- Two letters of references
Submission of Continuation Applications
- 2018-19 and 2019-20 UC MEXUS-CONACYT postdoctoral fellows who wish to extend their fellowship may apply for a second year continuation of the research fellowship. However, continuation proposals will compete against new 2020 proposals for the same limited pool of awards, are very competitive and are not guaranteed funding.
- Applicants seeking a second year of funding must submit all of the following materials during two periods:
- By 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 24, 2020 (for continuation applications only):
- All continuation applicants must submit an Intent to Apply form
- By 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2020 (for continuation applications only):
- Letter of Intent
- Official Letter of Invitation
- Updated Project Plan
- Timeline
- Curriculum vitae of applicant
- Abbreviated curriculum vitae of faculty host
- By 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 24, 2020 (for continuation applications only):
See the program's 2020-2021 Call for Proposals for more detailed information about each application item.
Eligibility Information
- Postdoctoral scholars may begin their residencies no earlier than September 1, 2020 and end no later than April 1, 2022. They must begin their postdoctoral stay within 90 days of their originally proposed starting date and complete their stay no later than within 12 months or less from that date.
- This program does not allow fellowships to be deferred to a subsequent academic year if the residency cannot be completed within this timeline.
- The applicant must earn their doctoral degree by May 1, 2020 in order to be eligible to apply for the postdoctoral fellowship.
See program's 2020-2021 Call for Proposals for more details about eligibility.
