Funding, Grant Writing, and Research

If you are thinking about applying for funding during your time as a postdoc, it’s critical that you plan ahead! Many postdoctoral fellowships have time limitations, so it’s never too early to start considering funding opportunities, ideally within the first 2-6 months of your appointment. If you’re planning on writing/submitting a grant, be sure to talk with the grants administrator in your department before you get started.

NOTE: Postdocs are not automatically eligible to apply for funding as a principal investigator (PI), except in situations where the funding source requires the postdoctoral trainee to serve as the PI (e.g. NIH K99/R00) and there is a faculty sponsor designated for the proposal who meets UIC criteria for serving as PI. Otherwise, PI status may be granted to postdocs following a one-time request made in writing that is approved by the Vice Chancellor for Research. Please refer to the Principal Investigator Eligibility and Approval Procedures policy for more information.