Moore Postdoctoral Fellows Program

There has been a great deal of interest in this opportunity, which has generated many questions.
Please review this FAQ before reaching out to Corporate and Foundation Relations.
The FAQ will be updated as new or unique questions arise.

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Commitment recognizes the critical role postdoctoral fellows play in advancing scientific discovery and the importance of maintaining the talent pipeline for science. UCI will receive $1.5M to support at least fifteen $100K postdoctoral fellowships. There will be three cohorts with up to five fellowships funded in each cohort. The first cohort of fellows will begin on January 1, 2026. Subsequent calls will be held for start dates July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027.

Program Funding Priorities

Fields of research pre-approved by Moore Foundation:

• Physics: astronomy, astrophysics, atomic physics, biophysics, chemical physics, condensed matter, fluid dynamics, molecular physics, optical physics, plasma physics
• Chemistry: inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, biochemistry, green chemistry, medicinal chemistry, combinatorial chemistry
• Engineering: quantum information, materials science (basic science, not applied)
• Biology: systems biology, evolutionary biology, cellular biology, molecular biology, microbiology, ecology, biodiversity, neuroscience, structural biology, neurobiology, molecular genetics

Please note that the Moore Foundation does not support disease-oriented or clinical research. To obtain approval to apply under additional basic research in the natural sciences fields not listed below, please contact Roxanne Ford in Corporate and Foundation Relations at CFR@uci.edu.

Program Budget

Each fellowship award will be for one year and will provide up to $100,000 in salary and benefits of the postdoctoral researcher. Any remaining salary support or research materials and supplies needed are expected to be covered by complementary funds provided by the faculty advisor or school.

Eligibility

Any postdoctoral researcher within one of the specified natural sciences fields above, who has at least one year remaining at UCI, may apply.  Current and incoming postdocs may apply.

Internal Application Process

Interested applicants are asked to submit an application to the Office of Research (via UCI Review), with the following information by November 17th:

• Two-page research statement, which should include (1-inch margins, single spaced, and 12-point font):
  • Clearly state which natural science discipline the proposal addresses.
  • Articulate the scientific merit, novelty, and timeliness of the proposed research.
  • Identify the major barriers to progress, describe your approach, and explain how the project will overcome these challenges.
  • Discuss the qualifications of the postdoctoral candidate and their potential for future success.
  • Describe what resources are needed for the project.
  • Highlight opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
• A 2-page Biosketch or abbreviated CV for postdoctoral fellow and PI.
• 1-page Budget and Budget Justification

Include up to $100 K in salary/benefits for the fellow provided by the fellowship. Fellowship awards may be used only for the salary/benefits of a postdoctoral researcher. Any remaining salary support or research materials and supplies needed for research are expected to be covered by complementary funds provided by the faculty advisor, department or school.

Guiding Questions to help in proposal preparation

• What scientific problem are you trying to solve? Why is it important?
• What is the novelty? What’s been tried before, and why is now the right time?
• What are the key barriers to progress? What stands in the way today?
• What is your approach? Why do you think it will succeed where others have not?
• How will this fellowship accelerate the career of the postdoc and strengthen the pipeline of scientific talent?
• If successful, what difference will it make? How will it change our understanding or open new frontiers in the natural sciences?
• What resources are needed? Can partial support be leveraged from other sources?

Following receipt of the internal applications, an ad hoc committee will be convened to review the proposals. Selected applicants will be notified in December.