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Pioneer Fellows Signature
Pioneer Fellows Signature
Fellow Jutta Diessl in the lab

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Ready to take your research career to the next level? Share your vision, achievements, and aspirations through our streamlined application process.

The application window for 2025 will open on April 15, 2025.

Eligibility

  • We are seeking early-career researchers of exceptional promise in the life and biomedical sciences.
  • Applicants must be less than one-year post-degree (Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or Pharm.D./Ph.D.) at the time of application, or enrolled as students in the final year of their doctoral degree program. Degree confirmation must be provided prior to the start of the fellowship.
  • For applicants who have entered clinical training programs (including those with M.D., D.O., and Pharm.D. degrees), they must be less than one-year past their postgraduate clinical training end date at the time of application.
  • Applicants currently in their first year of postdoctoral research in a U-M laboratory are eligible. However, individuals who seek to continue training in the laboratory environment in which they have conducted doctoral thesis research are not eligible.
  • Applications from international students are welcomed. Recent international graduates are encouraged to utilize their F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) period or STEM extension, if applicable. For those not eligible for F-1 OPT, we will provide assistance in securing the appropriate visa.
  • Applicants must be available to work onsite for the duration of the fellowship, as this is not a virtual program.
  • The University of Michigan’s Medical School, Life Sciences Institute, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and School of Dentistry are participating units for the 2025 Cohort. 

Selection Process

  • Candidate Qualifications: Evaluation of the candidate’s past research experience and accomplishments, as well as their potential to become an independent faculty member. Key attributes include a willingness to take risks, creativity, originality, curiosity, a collaborative spirit, entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to think ambitiously. These qualities should be evident in both past achievements and proposed research plans.
  • Research Statement: Assessment of the candidate’s vision, research approach, and initial feasibility of the proposed work. Consideration is given to the potential for groundbreaking discoveries and the likelihood of establishing a sustained research portfolio beyond the fellowship.
  • Skills Development: Evaluation of the candidate’s potential to acquire strong methodological skills relevant to the proposed research and their long-term impact in the field. The application should provide evidence that both the candidate and mentors have carefully considered the necessary skill development and are committed to supporting it.
  • Mentorship: Assessment of whether the mentor(s) are appropriate for the research project, training plan, and career development. The review will consider consistency among the mentors’ letters and their explicit commitment to the broader program.
  • For University of Michigan Internal Applicants: Evaluation of whether the proposed research is significantly distinct from the candidate’s current research and whether the proposed mentor(s) differ from their current one(s).
Pioneer Fellows group shot

Application Requirements

  • All application materials will be uploaded through Interfolio.
  • All documents should be formatted in Arial font, 11-point size, with 0.5-inch margins.
  • A cover letter from the applicant (up to 1 page).
  • A document describing the applicant’s previous accomplishments (up to 1 page).
  • A document describing future professional objectives and proposed research direction (up to 2 pages, not counting references).
  • A letter of support is required from the proposed mentor(s). This is not a reference letter but should outline the applicant’s qualifications, the significance of the research project, and a detailed mentorship plan. Mentors must also confirm their commitment to providing funding, resources, and active participation in the Pioneer Program (see “Expectations” in About the Program for Mentors section) (up to 2 pages). When applicants finalize their application, the mentor identified to provide a letter of support will receive an email with a link where they can upload their letter directly to Interfolio.
  • In addition, three letters of recommendation are required from faculty mentors. These may be past or present faculty, and they do not need to be from the University of Michigan. When applicants finalize their application, the individuals identified to provide a letter of recommendation will receive an email with a link where they can upload their letter directly to Interfolio.
  • Applicant’s curriculum vitae (CV).

Carole Parent mentoring two trainees

Explore potential mentors at U-M

We encourage you to explore our participating units and departments to identify potential mentors and laboratories that match your research interests, and contact them to discuss potential collaborative projects:

Timeline

  • Applications will open April 15, 2025.
  • Submission deadline is August 1, 2025 (11:59 pm EST.)
  • Zoom interviews will take place in late August or early September.
  • Offers will be sent out by mid-September 2025.
  • The expected start date will be November 1, 2025, negotiable for special cases.

See our FAQ page for more information. For additional questions about the program or the application process, email: pioneer-fellows-admin@umich.edu