Postdoctoral Support
The Stanford Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) Postdoctoral Support provides funding for innovative research focused on maternal and child health across all disciplines. This opportunity is available for: Postdoctoral Fellows.
Research must be primarily related to maternal and child health. Child refers to the expectant mother, oocyte, zygote, embryo, fetus, infant, child, and adolescent. All areas of research are eligible: basic, translational, clinical research, epidemiology/statistics, informatics, health services, or health policy.
*This program is supported by the Children’s Fund. Support researchers like you HERE.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
September 15, 2025
AWARD START DATE
January 2026
Funding Amount: $90,000 per year for up to 2 years*
Details: Funded postdoctoral fellows will receive an annual salary capped at $73,800 plus fringe benefits not to exceed $90,000. Any remaining gaps in salary must be covered by the mentor.
Mentor Commitment: This funding mechanism requires a commitment from the primary mentor of $45,000 for year 2, providing a total combined MCHRI/primary research mentor support of $90,000 for year 2 of funding. Total MCHRI support is up to $135,000 over two years*
The postdoc’s primary research mentor must be a MCHRI Member and one of the following:
- MD, MD/PhD, or PhD whose primary focus is maternal and/or child health research.
- MD, MD/PhD, or PhD who wishes to expand his/her interest in maternal and/or child health research.
*For full details, please refer to the FY26 RFA.
- The number of applications and total number of funded postdoctoral fellows per lab/PI shall be limited to one per cycle and at any given time. Questions regarding eligibility may be directed to MCHRI.
- Mentors with funded postdocs must serve as reviewers upon request for two years as a condition for renewal. Please see the policy for more details.
- Resubmissions shall be limited to one.
- Eligibility is limited to postdoctoral fellows in their first year through halfway into their third year at the time of application.
- Third-year applicants are eligible to apply for up to 1.5 years of funding, which covers the remainder of their third year and extending into their fourth year.
- Renewal applicants must be PGY4 or below at the start of their renewal period.
- Third year applicants must articulate how this funding supports their career development. (e.g., facilitate a transition into a new field, etc.)
- Year 2 funding is contingent upon progress, career plan review, and evidence of applying for external funding.
- Projects introducing new maternal and child health focus in the mentor’s lab are encouraged.
- Applicants who completed a first post-doctoral fellowship at an institution not affiliated with Stanford University and wish to pursue a second post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University in a different scientific area are eligible.
- Postdoctoral appointments must have begun on or after July 1, 2023 (no exceptions).
- Please be aware that, depending on the postdoc appointment date, applicants may not be eligible to resubmit if their initial application is not funded.
- PGY3 is defined as the 12-month period starting at the third-year appointment.
- Eligibility for the full 1.5 years of funding is determined by calculating the PGY3 window, subtracting 30 months from the award start date. Postdocs with start dates within this period are eligible.
- MCHRI reserves the right to adjust the budget or award term based on PGY evaluation.
*For full eligibility and program details, please refer to the FY26 RFA.
MCHRI members and their mentees planning to apply to the Postdoctoral Support Program must consult with a data scientist. Reserve your 1-hour slot at the registration link below.
QSU Consultation Dates: August 19, 22, 26, 29 and September 2, 4, 5
| YEAR | # of Applications | # of Awards |
Funding Rate |
Total Awarded |
| FY 25 | 77 | 11 | 14% | $990,000 |
| FY 24 | 89 | 16 | 18% | $1,285,351 |
| FY 23 | 87 | 14 | 16% | $1932,903 |
| FY 22 | 61 | 17 | 28% | $1,060,635 |
| FY 21 | 56 | 14 | 25% | $986,690 |
| FY 20 | 94 | 20 | 21% | $1,528,650 |
| FY 19 | 111 | 18 | 16% | $1,273,411 |
| FY 18 | 93 | 14 | 15% | $897,392 |
| FY 17 | 64 | 18 | 28% | $947,000 |
| FY 16 | 64 | 24 | 38% | $1,129,000 |
| FY 15 | 72 | 20 | 28% | $1,000,000 |
| FY 14 | 78 | 20 | 26% | $932,000 |
| FY 13 | 37 | 24 | 65% | $1,156,000 |
| FY 12 | - | - | - | - |
| FY 11 | 34 | 17 | 50% | $594,988 |
Please contact MCHRI Administration at mchri_admin@stanford.edu or 650-724-0279 with any questions.