Provost Postdoc Fellowships 2027 at University of Notre Dame Process Explained
What would you investigate if you had two years of research support, a $75,000 annual stipend and a Notre Dame faculty mentor? The University of Notre Dame’s Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowships in Engineering are accepting applications from early-career scientists and engineers worldwide. You can apply before finishing your doctorate, provided you expect to complete all requirements within the specified eligibility window.
Your first decision is whether Notre Dame has the right Engineering mentor for your project. Scientific excellence and a convincing research plan are central to selection; the application must also explain who will mentor you and why their expertise fits your work.
What This Article Talks About?
Can you apply before your PhD is finished?
Yes—applicants may still be doctoral candidates if they plan to complete all doctoral requirements by September 2027. The ordinary eligibility window runs from June 2025 to September 2027. This makes the call relevant both to recent doctoral graduates and researchers approaching completion.
- Scholars of every nationality may apply.
- Earlier doctoral completion dates can be accepted where maternity, paternity or Family and Medical Leave Act leave occurred within the past two years.
- Current postdoctoral scholars at the University of Notre Dame are not eligible.
The leave exception is specific, rather than a general extension for every career interruption. If you need it, explain your circumstances to the programme before investing in a full application. The call states no separate age limit.
What does the two-year funding package cover?
The fellowship provides a $75,000 annual stipend for 24 months and a separate $15,000 allowance for research, training and professional development. The annual stipend amounts to $150,000 across two years at the published rate. The call does not describe the $15,000 allowance as an annual payment, so applicants should not double it when calculating support.
Fellows also receive individual support from the College’s Director of Postdoctoral Studies and participate in its Postdoctoral Training programme to develop independent research and leadership skills.
This is funding for postdoctoral research, rather than tuition support for a master’s or PhD. The published call does not specify additional housing, relocation or dependent funding; applicants should clarify those matters before budgeting for a move.
Which mentor puts you in the correct fellowship?
Your primary mentor must come from the College of Engineering; a prospective mentor with a primary appointment in the College of Science directs you to the Society of Science Fellowship instead. Choose the research relationship before choosing the application route.
| Your proposed mentoring arrangement | What it means for your application |
|---|---|
| Primary mentor in the College of Engineering | Apply to the Engineering fellowship and explain the mentor’s fit with your project. |
| Additional co-mentor at Notre Dame | Co-mentoring is allowed; identify the selected co-mentor and explain their contribution. |
| Potential primary mentor whose primary appointment is in the College of Science | Use the College of Science Society of Science Fellowship route. |
The Engineering College spans aerospace and mechanical engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, civil and environmental engineering and earth sciences, computer science and engineering, and electrical engineering. Find a faculty member whose current work connects to your proposed question, methods and facilities.
Early contact is strongly encouraged, but the published document list does not require a separate mentor acceptance letter. Your statement must identify mentors and justify the choice. Projects connected to Notre Dame’s 2033 Strategic Framework and initiatives are especially welcome.
How do you prepare and submit through Interfolio?
Submit your application through Interfolio and arrange for three referees to submit their letters through the same platform by the deadline. Prepare the research and mentoring argument before uploading documents.
- Identify your mentor. Search Notre Dame’s Engineering faculty directory and contact suitable researchers early to discuss your proposed work.
- Prepare your CV and statement. The statement must cover career goals, previous research accomplishments, teaching or mentoring experience, proposed fellowship research, and your selected mentors with reasons for choosing them. Keep it within five pages, excluding citations.
- Make the presentation PDF. Prepare up to five slides using the template linked in the official fellowship instructions.
- Submit and coordinate references. Use the Engineering fellowship’s Interfolio application. Arrange three recommendation letters through Interfolio; referees must not email letters directly. Check the portal for any additional instructions or fee information, since the published call states no application fee.
For help developing a feasible project and demonstrating host fit, use our research proposal guide for scholarship and fellowship applications. It is an optional planning resource: Notre Dame’s combined five-page statement requirements take priority over a general proposal outline. Submission questions can be sent to [email protected].
When must your application and references arrive?
Your application and all three recommendation letters are due at the same December deadline. Request references early and check their submission status before the final day. Notre Dame expects decisions by March 31, 2027.
The last date to apply for the University of Notre Dame Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowships in Engineering is December 15, 2026, at 11:59 pm EST. This is December 16, 2026, at 04:59 UTC or 09:59 am Pakistan Standard Time. The same deadline applies to recommendation letters submitted through Interfolio.