Eligibility
- I am an incoming postdoctoral fellow at Stanford. May I apply for the Postdoctoral Support Program?
Yes, you may apply. However, you must have a postdoctoral appointment date effective no later than the application deadline.
- Are multiple applications from the same lab accepted?
No, multiple applications are not accepted from the same lab. 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.
- A postdoc from my lab currently holds a MCHRI award. Can another postdoc from my lab submit an application?
No, another postdoc from your lab may not submit an application unless they are in the last 6 months of their renewal year.
- Are 4th and 5th year Postdocs eligible to apply for the MCHRI Postdoctoral Support Program?
Eligibility is limited to postdoctoral fellows in their first through halfway into their third-year postgraduate year (PGY) at time of application. Priority is given to applicants in the first and second year of postdoctoral training at Stanford. Third year applicants are eligible to apply for up to 1.5 years of funding to support the remainder of their third year, and through their fourth year. Third year applicants must justify how this funding will help their career path. e.g., facilitate a change into a new field, etc. Please refer to the current year’s RFA for the eligibility timeline, including the latest acceptable appointment date for meeting the PGY eligibility criteria.
- I am planning to apply for the MCHRI Postdoctoral Support Program; however, my sponsor will not be able to guarantee 50% support in the second year. Am I still eligible to submit for this funding opportunity?
Yes, it is still possible to submit. However, MCHRI will only be able to provide 1 year of funding. As these are training-focused grants, we will prioritize applications requesting two years of support. This program is intended to foster a collaborative mentee-mentor partnership and not solely serve as source of annual funding. Strong proposals will demonstrate a clear commitment to both scientific and professional over the full training period. We will consider proposals that have a strong justification as why a one-year proposal for fund is being submitted (resubmissions, loss of funding, hardships).
- My primary research mentor has left Stanford. Am I eligible to continue to hold an MCHRI Award?
Yes, it is possible for you to continue your MCHRI-supported project. Please note that you will be required to identify a new mentor and provide an updated mentoring plan which needs to be approved by the program panel chair(s).
- I just started my postdoc at Stanford but I already completed a postdoc at another institution. Am I eligible to apply for the MCHRI Postdoctoral Support Award?
Yes, you may apply for this funding opportunity. We track your status starting from the day that you started at Stanford.
- Are applicants with an H or J visa eligible to apply?
Yes, you may apply for this funding opportunity. If an applicant has been approved to work at Stanford by the person’s department HR, then we will gladly accept the applicant pending they will be able to meet the other award terms.
- I am currently a first-year postdoctoral fellow. I wanted to check if I am eligible for the MCHRI fellowship while on an F1 OPT visa. I saw that H and J visas are eligible but was unsure about the F1.
Postdocs on an OPT F1 visa are eligible for MCHRI funding. Please also review the other eligibility criteria for the Postdoctoral Support program.
- I am a postdoctoral researcher in the lab. I applied for the MCHRI Postdoctoral Support Fellowship last fall and am interested in reapplying in the spring cycle. I recently started my third year as a postdoc, and I noticed the eligibility is limited to fellows in their first year through halfway into their third year. Am I still eligible to reapply?
Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria at the time of application, including the PGY limitation for resubmissions, as we only provide funding through PGY4. It is essential for applicants to factor this limitation into their planning, particularly regarding the timeline for resubmissions. Please note that we cannot make exceptions to the PGY threshold or resubmission timelines, even for one month. This policy ensures consistency and equity among all applicants.
- My resubmission for a funding application was not approved. The guidelines state that applicants are limited to one resubmission. Given the positive feedback and addressable comments, would it be possible to apply again in the next cycle with the same revised research project, either as a resubmission or a new application A revised version of the same research project cannot be submitted again as either a new application or a resubmission since the maximum number of resubmissions has been reached. However, if the application is for a different research project and eligibility requirements are met, a new submission would be permitted.
Application
- I submitted a new application but was not funded. May I resubmit my application?
Yes, we allow one (1) resubmission. However, please refer to the current cycle’s RFA and review any program updates to confirm you meet the eligibility and award requirements.
- I am resubmitting my application. Does my resubmission count toward the per lab/PI limit?
Yes, the one fellow per lab/PI limitation will be met with your resubmission
- Should I wait until I am notified that my proposal has been funded to submit my IRB application?
No, you should submit your IRB application as soon as possible and list the MCHRI Postdoctoral Support Program as a possible funding source. The IRB review meeting date must be included in your MCHRI application.
- I am completing my Stanford IRB eProtocol and the IRB is requesting a SPO number associated with this award. Do you know if one was assigned?
Our MCHRI awards are internal grants and not considered sponsored awards or University Research Awards (URA) by the school’s definition. A SPO number is not required.
- I submitted a proposal for the Postdoctoral Support Program. Approximately when should I expect to hear back regarding its funding status?
Fall Cycle: Anticipated by the 1st or 2nd week of December. Spring Cycle: Anticipated by the 1st or 2nd week of June.
- I would like clarification on if my Mentor has submitted the associated mentor support form.
As a requirement for your award, the MCHRI Mentor Support Form must be completed prior to the submission of your application. It is recommended that you complete the initial steps of creating an application record 4 weeks in advance of the deadline in our grant management system such that your mentor has sufficient time to complete the form. Late forms will not be accepted unless a significant rationale is provided. You may email mchri_admin@stanford.edu to confirm whether your mentor’s form has been completed.
- I would like to update my application with the status of a newly published article. Is this possible?
No, this is not allowed due to the short turnaround time in our review process. If publications are in press, please make sure to properly reference them on your NIH Biosketch.
- I am planning to resubmit my application. Does my Primary Research Mentor need to resubmit the mentor form?
Yes, a new mentor form is required for each resubmission. As this grant is designed to support career development, an updated status of the applicant’s progress is necessary given the 5–6-month duration between each funding cycle.
- Do you provide samples of past awarded grants or recommendations on formatting?
No, please refer to the associated program application form and grant instructions for reference on formatting and application packaging.
- What is the recommended format for the Primary Research Mentor letter attesting to salary cost sharing for the year 2 renewal?
The letter should be 1-2 sentences on the mentor’s letterhead, attesting to the salary cost-share commitment. A brief statement will suffice, such as: "I confirm that I will cover $45,000 of the postdoc salary and assume responsibility for any remaining salary shortfall.”
- My Primary Research Mentor did not receive (or complete) the mentor support form. What do I do now?
Our mentor form is completed via RedCap. The system sometimes has difficulty when a mentor has multiple SUNet IDs. Please contact MCHRI Administration via email at mchri_admin@stanford.edu for additional support. MCHRI will resend the mentor form directly to your mentor for completion. Please Note: Last minute requests may not be able to be processed.
- What does the field “Cycle” or “FY” refer to?
MCHRI offers multiple funding opportunities per year each with chances for resubmission. To ensure proper tracking, please provide the current Fiscal Year (FY) or funding cycle (Cycle) for the associated submission date. (e.g., a Fall 2025 grant program would be FY 26, Fall Cycle)
- I was not funded by MCHRI in the last cycle. Do I have to resubmit for the next cycle or may I delay my resubmission for a future cycle?
You may delay your resubmission for any future cycle. If all eligibility requirements have been met. Please note that our funding mechanism may change. Please check the associated MCHRI program page for more information.
- Please provide information regarding the definition of Principal Investigator (PI), Collaborator & Co-Investigator. Do they need to be included in my application?
MCHRI uses the NIH guidance for definition of Co-Investigators and Collaborators. PIs are the individuals submitting the project that is eligible for the funding mechanism. Please follow the associated program application form & grant instructions for guidance on how to include them in your application.
- I am unable to book a QSU consultation as all available spots are taken. Is it acceptable to have the consultation after the submission deadline?
Consultations need to be completed prior to the submission. Please note, the consultations are only required if your research study meets the criteria of human subjects research and requires a biostatistician for study design, data analysis, and, or power calculations. You can request a consultation directly with the QSU here. If you have access to a biostatician within your department or division, you do not need to book a MCHRI QSU consultation.
- I am resubmitting my MCHRI application for postdoctoral support and would like to meet with a reviewer to go over the changes I’ve made.
We want to be considerate of our panel chair’s schedules so consultation requests must be submitted at least 30 days before the application deadline.
- I am submitting an RRA Request to access SFARI data for my MCHRI proposal but need the MCHRI fellowship SPO #, which isn’t in SeRA yet. Could you advise on how to obtain it?
The postdoc awards are not classified as University Research Awards (URA) and therefore not tracked in SeRA and not given a SPO#.
- I have a question regarding the specific age range for child health. Can you please provide guidance on the age limits for your funding mechanism?
MCHRI uses the NIH “Child” definition. NIH policy defines a child as a person under the age of 18. If you have specific questions pertaining to the age limits, please email mchri_admin@stanford.edu.
- Do I need to be a MCHRI member to apply for the MCHRI Postdoctoral Support Grant?
Yes, you do need to apply for membership prior to submitting your application as does your Primary Research Mentor. Please click here to apply for membership. Please note that it may take up to 2 weeks for us to process your membership request.
Post Award
- I was notified that I was awarded a MCHRI Postdoctoral Support Grant. What is required of me?
MCHRI requires a guarantee PTA at time of award such to protect the account from falling into overdraft. In addition, all requirements of the associated Notice of Award must be met in order to be eligible for renewal funding and any future MCHRI grants.
- My award notice stipulates that I am eligible for a non-competitive renewal. What is MCHRI’s definition of external funding?
MCHRI defines external funding as any non-Stanford, competitive funding mechanism that is applied for directly by the awardee. For instance, a NIH T32 training grant is not applicable. However, a NIH F32 meets the criteria.
- Can an MCHRI Postdoc award be used to support an awardee’s salary & benefits while out on leave?
MCHRI desires to facilitate awarded trainees during parental leave, while ensuring awarded funds directly support research training effort, to the extent possible. Situations for such leaves must be approved on a case-by-case basis. It is MCHRI’s preference that the award be used to fund any extension granted to the awardee and for the department to support the leave itself such that the awardee has sufficient time to complete the awarded project. Before any such situation is granted approval, please email mchri_admin@stanford.edu and state whether or not the postdoc will be granted an extension and how the postdoc plans to complete the awarded project.
- I need to submit my first-year report next month for the renewal of my Postdoctoral Support Award. Is there a specific format or any requirements for the report? Additionally, which documents from external funding should be included?
Here is the link to the online report and please provide the confirmation of your submission for extramural funding as the PI.
- Can a NCX be requested for a Postdoc Grant?
No-cost extensions are not permitted for postdoctoral awards. In extenuating circumstances, requests may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis; however, approval cannot be guaranteed. Please email mchri_admin@stanford.edu.
Budget
- Must the project commitment be a total of 2 full years (24 months)? I may go for my residency and my postdoc appointment will be only 20 months.
The second year of funding is not guaranteed and is contingent upon the availability of funds. Please ensure that your postdoctoral support application clearly reflects the time period for which you are requesting support. We will prorate the second year accordingly. If the requested period is shorter than the standard term, please include a brief justification.
- I have a question regarding the mentor’s commitment to the funding/salary. Can a T32 grant be used to cover the gaps in salary apart from what the MCHRI will provide.
MCHRI funding is always considered secondary to any other funding that a postdoctoral fellow receives, and we provide support up to a total award amount of $90K. For example, if you $75K of your salary is covered by another funding source, MCHRI would provide $15K – assuming the award periods align. However, if your total salary exceeds $90K (e.g., you have $75K covered but your salary is $100K), we will not provide additional funding beyond our $90K cap. In this case, you still only receive $15K from MCHRI. The final award amount will be adjusted based on the award periods of both MCHRI and your other funding.