Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences, applications open June 6, 2022
The Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides support for young scientists from Latin America to receive postdoctoral training in the United States. The program gives these individuals an opportunity to further their scientific knowledge by promoting exchange and collaboration between investigators in the United States and Latin America resulting in advances in research in Latin America.
Each year, Pew awards funds to 10 of Latin America’s brightest biomedical researchers for postdoctoral training in the U.S., providing a $30,000 annual salary stipend for two years. The fellow’s U.S. lab must commit to offering two years of medical benefits and supplemental compensation to meet the U.S. National Institutes of Health salary guidelines for postdoctoral positions. The maximum duration of Pew’s salary stipend is 24 months; however, if the sponsoring lab is willing and able to provide salary and benefits beyond two years, Pew may extend the fellowship period to a maximum of 60 months.
Participants who return to Latin America and establish independent labs receive an additional $70,000 grant from Pew to purchase equipment and supplies. To receive this payment, a fellow must have a confirmed position and lab space in Latin America at the end of his or her fellowship period.
Fellows also have opportunities to exchange knowledge and collaborate with a community of nearly 1,000 biomedical investigators who have received Pew’s support since 1985. Through annual meetings and other events, fellows meet peers from a variety of scientific disciplines and form professional networks to help propel their careers.
For the next round of awards, given in 2023, the selection process will occur as follows:
- Interested candidates should find a postdoctoral position in the lab of a principal investigator (sponsor) in the U.S. prior to starting the application. More on this topic below.
- On June 6, 2022, the application period will open. Interested candidates should email the program office at fellowsapp@pewtrusts.org to request access to the online application.
- On August 17, 2022, the application period will close.
- Applications are first reviewed by regional committees of former Pew Latin American fellows. Selected applicants will be invited for interviews by the regional committee (in person or by video conference), then may move on for review by the program’s national advisory committee.
- Based on the national advisory committee’s recommendations, Pew will select 10 fellows for the 2023 class. Applicants will be notified of the outcome in April 2023, and grants to fellows’ sponsor institutions will be issued by August 2023.
To apply for the 2023 class, a candidate must:
- Obtain a Ph.D. and/or M.D. by February 2023, but not before June 6, 2017.
- Not have started postdoctoral training in the U.S. prior to Jan. 1, 2022.
- Confirm a postdoctoral position in the lab of an established principal investigator (sponsor) in advance of applying; the sponsor’s letter of support is required for the application. A sponsor may not be the same person who advised or mentored the applicant during completion of his or her Ph.D. work.
- Submit a written statement of intent to further their research career in Latin America after the fellowship.
Preference is given to applicants who received their undergraduate and graduate degrees from institutions in Latin America. Applicants may have obtained their degrees from institutions outside of Latin America, but preferably not in the U.S.