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SRF Postbaccalaureate Fellowship Program

The SRF Postbaccalaureate Fellowship Program offers recent graduates a gap year option where they can strengthen their research and communication skills in preparation for such opportunities as graduate programs, medical programs, and biotech positions. Like the SRF Summer Scholars Program, the goal of the Postbaccalaureate Fellowship Program includes assignments and training that hones writing and presentation skills. These training exercises are completed within the framework of a research project that the Fellow will be tasked with completing under the guidance of a scientific mentor.

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Fellowship Program Training Goals

SRF Education undergraduate programs primarily are designed to address two pressing needs in STEM education: the availability of novel, inquiry-based research opportunities and scientific communication skills. Whether a student plans to pursue postgraduate studies or apply for a research position at a pharmaceutical company, practical experience is key. However, research opportunities are limited at some colleges, and specific fields of research, such as tissue engineering, may be completely absent.

SRF Education sets itself apart from many other training programs with its focus on the development of scientific communication skills in addition to enhancing laboratory and critical thinking skills. Over the course of its educational programs, participants are guided through practical writing assignments that simulate documents scientists are often asked to produce, such as grant proposals. The communication training culminates in a formal presentation at a symposium where participants present the results of their work to their peers and mentors.

Program Learning Objectives Include:

  • Planning and executing an independent research project
  • Learning new technical skills
  • Explaining scientific concepts to a non-scientific audience
  • Submitting a simple grant proposal
  • Presenting results to peers in a formal scientific symposium

Qualifications

  1. Applicants should have some biologically-related prior research experience.
  2. Although GPA will be a consideration, there are no formal GPA requirements.
  3. There are no specific major requirements. Students of any major may apply, provided they can demonstrate experience relevant to the project in question.
  4. As noted in the Eligibility Requirements section, applicants who have earned their bachelor’s degree within the past 2 years are eligible to apply. This year, graduates from the classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023 are eligible to apply.
  5. Only international students who can use optional practical training (OPT) work authorization can apply.

Important Dates

  1. The online application will be available on October 15, 2022.
  2. Complete applications must be received no later than 5pm PT, February 1.
  3. Selected applicants will be contacted for interviews in the late winter and decisions will be made by May 15th.

Start Date and Duration

  1. The fellowship will start in Fall of 2023, but fellows must be available for HR paperwork shortly before the commencement date.
  2. The fellowship will last 9 months and end in Spring 2024.

Compensation

  1. A single stipend will be provided to cover room and board costs.
  2. Stipend rates will be based upon levels used by government agencies, such as the NIH and NSF.
  3. Fellows will be eligible for benefits after the first 3 months of employment.

Housing

  1. Participants in the program will need to locate their own housing. Advice can be provided by SRF and the host lab. A stipend will be provided to cover room and board costs.

Review the following to confirm your eligibility to participate in the program:

  1. This program is designed for recent college graduates, who earned their bachelor’s degree within the past two years prior to the date they begin the program. For instance, the 2023 class of Postbaccalaureate Fellows will consist of graduates of the classes of 2021, 2022, or 2023.
  2. Students currently enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, medical, or similar postgraduate degree granting program are ineligible to apply. Similarly, any applicant who has already earned a postgraduate degree is ineligible to apply.
  3. Students who have been accepted to a postgraduate program but who are unable to take up the offer, or who have discontinued postgraduate studies, due to a change in their circumstances are eligible to apply, subject to the other eligibility criteria being met.
  4. Participants in the program also must be able to legally work in the U.S. via citizenship, permanent residency, or optional practical training (OPT). NOTE: Only international students who can use OPT work authorization can apply. Similar programs that fulfill the work visa requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  5. It is strongly recommended that students using OPT work authorization consult their on-campus advisors prior to application submission to ensure the OPT application is submitted in a timely fashion to avoid a delayed start to the program should an offer be made. You can learn more about OPT requirements here.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for the program, you may contact SRF Director of Academic Affairs Dr. Lilli Fishman at [email protected].

Click here to learn about former Postbaccalaureate Fellows
Click here to learn about 2023 Postbaccalaureate Placements

– The 2021 SRF Postbaccalaureate Fellowship Program application period will open on Monday, November 2, 2020. –

The Postbaccalaureate Fellowship Program application is currently closed.

Our next application window will open on October 15.

The 2023 SRF Postbaccalaureate Fellowship Program application is currently open.

Application Deadline: Extended to February 1st at 5 PM Pacific Time.

Apply Now

Selected applicants will be contacted for interviews in the late winter and decisions will be made by May 15th.
Please be sure to download the recommendation instructions and note that your application will not be processed until your letter(s) of recommendation have been received.

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Other SRF Education Opportunities

Summer Scholars Program

Offering undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct biomedical research to combat diseases of aging under the guidance of a scientific mentor and emphasizing the development of laboratory and communication skills to develop well-rounded future scientists.

Learn about Summer Scholars

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