Current Postdocs

MU Postdoctoral Research Grant

The MU Office of Postdoctoral Education Research Grant Program is intended to support MU postdoctoral scholars in developing their independent research programs. The grant awards help defray the costs of conducting a clearly defined research project that is not financially supported by other grants, faculty members, or their department/division. The research project should be led by the postdoctoral scholar and represent a contribution to their independent research program.

• Fall Deadline: November 1, by 5:00 PM CT
• Spring Deadline: March 1, by 5:00 PM CT
  • Note: If the deadline falls on a weekend, then the due date is the following Monday.

Postdoctoral Faculty Mentor Award

This award represents an appreciation for an individual who has demonstrated either a profound, sustained, or leadership contribution to improving the postdoctoral experience.

The award recognizes an individual who has contributed to improving the postdoctoral experience through:

• Pioneering efforts to improve postdoctoral policies, benefits, and programs.
• Influencing sustained leadership in national systemic and/or local change for the improvement of the postdoctoral experience.
• Advocating and raising awareness of significant and important issues that have significantly altered the postdoctoral scholar landscape.
• Contributing to professional development, career development, and resource development for postdoctoral scholars.
• Creating agency and opportunity for postdoctoral research and advancement into academic and nonacademic careers.

Fall Nomination Deadline

• Nominations due to: postdoc@missouri.edu
• Nominations are due by 5 PM (Central Time) on December 1st each year. If the first day of December falls on a weekend, then the due date is the following Monday.

Nomination Packets

The nomination must be made by a postdoctoral scholar (anyone who is currently a postdoc or within 5 years of completing their postdoctoral training). The nomination packet should be saved as a single pdf file labeled with the nominee’s name. It should include the following documents, saved in the following order:

1. Brief description of the nominee. Please include the nominee’s full name, title, and academic credentials.
2. Essay describing why you believe the nominee should receive the award (1200-word limit). Consider the following points:
   1. How the nominee provides “hands-on” professional development experiences for postdocs, such as writing papers or reviews and applying for grants and fellowships.
   2. How the nominee provides postdocs with guidance on networking and planning for their future careers.
   3. What are the philosophy, activities, characteristics, or traits of the nominee that makes them a truly outstanding mentor? Be sure to give specific examples.
   4. How the nominee’s mentoring has benefited you personally (if applicable).
   5. A summary of the nominee’s mentoring efforts, including, for example, the length of time that they have served as a mentor; the number of postdocs that the nominee has mentored; and examples of the success these postdocs have had under the mentor’s guidance, especially regarding increased proficiency in any of the six National Postdoc Association’s Core Competencies.
   6. How the nominee has influenced the qualify of the postdoctoral experience on a local, regional, or national level.
3. Up to three (3) supporting documents (e.g., letters of support from former postdocs within 5 years from completing their postdoctoral training and/or current postdoctoral scholars, news or journal articles).

List of Benefits Available to MU Postdocs

MU postdocs are a part of the most diverse group of scholars on campus and enjoy the following.

• Access to the postdoc office for 1:1 career development consultation.
• Access to professional and career development activities offered by MU Postdoctoral Association.
• Be part of the governing board of the MU Postdoctoral Association.
• Be on the postdoc listserv and receive professional & career development, job, & funding opportunities.
• Access to social events organized by the MU Postdoctoral Association and meet with other postdocs.
• Be part of the Postdoc LinkedIn group.
• Eligible to apply for Postdoc Travel Grant ($500; 3 rounds/year) administrated my MU Postdoctoral Association, Postdoc Research Grants ($500, $750, or $1,500; 2 rounds/year), and Postdoc Research & Teaching Awards ($1,000 per year each).
• Enjoy the benefits offered by the National Postdoctoral Association.
• Enjoy the benefits offered by the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD).
• Nominate Postdoctoral Mentor of the Year.

External Resources