The Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding for scientists to receive postdoctoral training at leading research institutions in the United States. Through the program, The Pew Charitable Trusts has supported more than 250 outstanding young researchers, strengthening scientific communities across borders. Fellows who complete the two-year program and return to Latin America to establish their own labs get additional funding. About 7 in 10 of the program’s participants have taken advantage of this incentive and are conducting work on regional and global health challenges across Latin America. See FAQs for more information

Q: How does the fellowship work?

A: 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 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.

2025 application and award timeline

February 2024 – June 2024

• Research sponsor lab options in the U.S., apply for postdoctoral positions, and select a sponsor lab in the U.S.
• Work with the sponsor to formulate a research proposal

June 4, 2024

• Pew Latin American fellows application site opens
• Contact the Pew program office for access to the online application. Materials required include:
  • Candidate’s curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Statements on intent to further research career in Latin America and most significant scientific contribution
  • Research proposal
  • Three letters of reference from individuals familiar with the applicant’s work
  • Sponsor letter of commitment,  sponsor’s CV and current grant funding the sponsoring PI will have during the award period

August 14, 2024

• Pew Latin American fellows application site closes

Sept./Oct. 2024

• Latin American fellows regional committee reviews applications, conducts interviews with select candidates, and nominates six final candidates from its region to Pew for further consideration. Individuals who are not moving to the next round will be notified at this time.

November 2024 – March 2025

• The Latin American fellows national advisory committee reviews applications and selects 10 scientists for funding. No interviews are conducted during this period of review.

April 2025

• Applicants are notified of the advisory committee’s decisions.

June 2025

• Pew board of directors approves the 2025 class of fellows and awardees are publicly announced soon after.

August 2025

• Pew award is granted to the institution of the sponsoring lab in the U.S., and first payment is made.