Funding for International Postdocs
Funding Overview
The UIC Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is pleased to offer funding for international postdocs supported by the Walder Foundation: the International Postdoctoral Bridge Award. In alignment with the Walder Foundation mission, the funding is meant to focus on support for postdocs in the biological and environmental sciences. While key funding priorities of the Foundation include synthetic and molecular biology, biomedical science, biodiversity and conservation science, these awards are not exclusive to these fields.
International Postdoctoral Research Excellence Award
The International Postdoctoral Research Excellence Award is an award to recognize research excellence and service by UIC’s international postdocs who previously didn’t or don’t currently receive university-provided health insurance due to not meeting the substantial presence test. Postdoctoral research associates holding J-1 visas can apply for a one-time cash award of $3,500. Awardees will be recognized during a ceremony at the Annual UIC Postdoc Career Development Symposium on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Applications are due Friday, September 11, 2026.
The request for applications can be found at go.uic.edu/WalderIPREA-RFA and the application portal can be found at go.uic.edu/WalderIPREAapplication.
International Postdoctoral Bridge Award
The International Postdoctoral Bridge Award is an emergency fund for international postdoctoral research associates or postdoctoral fellows holding J-visas whose positions will be terminated or otherwise not renewed due to loss or lack of funding. The postdoc and their faculty advisor can request up to $30,000 in salary, fringe benefits and research and training support in order to extend the postdoctoral position for up to three months to allow the postdoc additional time to pursue other employment opportunities.
Applications will be reviewed and funded on a rolling basis until the program funds have been exhausted.
The request for applications can be found at go.uic.edu/WalderIPBA-RFA and the application portal can be found at go.uic.edu/WalderIPBAapplication.