Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Grant Program

Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Amount: US $60,000
Last Updated: October 31, 2025

Summary

The Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Grant Program, funded by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, offers $60,000 over three years to support underrepresented postdoctoral fellows in the U.S. and Canada. This initiative aims to enhance their career development through mentorship and networking opportunities. Since its inception in 2013, the program has awarded over 150 fellowships, investing more than $9 million to promote diversity in biomedical research and foster an inclusive scientific community.

Overview

Burroughs Wellcome Fund The Burroughs Wellcome Fund serves and strengthens society by nurturing a diverse group of leaders in biomedical sciences to improve human health through education and powering discovery in frontiers of greatest need. BWF’s financial support is channeled primarily through competitive peer-reviewed award programs. BWF makes grants primarily to degree-granting institutions on behalf of individual researchers. To complement these competitive award programs, BWF also makes grants to nonprofit organizations conducting activities intended to improve the general environment for science. BWF believes that a diverse scientific workforce is essential to the process and advancement of research innovation, academic discovery, and public service. About The Award The Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Program (PDEP) provides $60,000 over three years to support the career development activities and success of underrepresented postdoctoral fellows in a degree-granting institution or affiliate in the United States or Canada whose training and professional development are guided by mentors committed to helping them advance to stellar careers in biomedical or medical research. Established in 2013, with an initial 10 awards, more than 150 postdoctoral fellows have received the PDEP award to date. BWF has invested more than $9 million dollars in diversity enrichment programming and continues to provide support through a vast network of former and current grant recipients. Beginning with the 2023-2024 grant cycle, BWF and the Charles H. Revson Foundation are proud to announce a collaboration aimed at expanding diversity and inclusion in the scientific research community. This partnership supports underrepresented scientists' advancement and enhances their contributions to various fields of research. Through PDEP, the Charles H. Revson Foundation will fund up to five additional fellowships to postdoctoral researchers at institutions located within the New York Metro area. PDEP award recipients being supported by the Charles H. Revson Foundation will be recognized as BWF PDEP/Revson Scholars. Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Eligibility

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Application Details

POSTDOCTORAL
DIVERSIT Y
ENRICHMENT
PROGRAM (PDEP)
Proposal deadline:
January 20, 2025 (3:00 pm ET)
1 POSTDOCTORAL DIVERSITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PDEP)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key Dates and Program Background 3
Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Award 4
Eligibility Requirements 5
Important Notes 6
Selection Process 6
Terms of Grant / Use of Funds 8
Expectations for Mentors 9
2 POSTDOCTORAL DIVERSITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PDEP)

KEY DATES
Grant application portal available October 2024
Application deadline January 20, 2025 (3:00 pm ET)
Notice of award By June 2025
Award start date September 1, 2025
Award end date August 30, 2028
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is committed to fostering For this reason, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund created
the development of the next generation of biomedical the Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Program in 2012.
scientists and is strongly committed to supporting only BWF is committed to funding the next generation of
degree-granting institutions to achieve this goal. The scientists and researchers, thus we have an interest in
career development of young scientists has been a advancing the careers of minority postdoctoral fellows
major funding theme at BWF. The continuing lag in the within underrepresented groups. The primary goal of
advancement of scientists from within underrepresented the Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Program (PDEP)
groups is a significant problem for the scientific community. is to substantially enhance the postdoctoral training and
Despite several decades of federally supported programs, experience of underrepresented junior scientists. Funds will
Americans from these minority populations continue to be provided to support the following enrichment activities:
be underrepresented among Ph.D. recipients and in the
1. Activities for the postdoctoral fellow to enhance
Science & Engineering workforce. Contrary to popular belief,
research productivity, e.g. workshops, courses, travel,
many well prepared underrepresented minority students—
collaborations, and training in new techniques
including people of Latino, Native-American, Pacific Island,
and African-American descent—are interested in pursuing
2. Activities for the postdoctoral mentor to increase
scientific or engineering careers. Many students with strong
the mentoring of PDEP fellows in university-based
SAT scores, impressive grades, and success in high school
programs:
honors math and science courses leave the college science
n Career guidance of the underrepresented minority
pipeline, but the loss is disproportionately among women
postdoctoral fellow
and minorities. Thus, factors other than school preparation,
science aptitude, and interest must be responsible for the n Research guidance that increases the productivity
low achievement and low persistence of these subgroups of the PDEP fellow
of undergraduate and graduate Science & Engineering n Attendance at one annual meeting of mentors
students. Identifying and mitigating these negative factors, hosted and/or sponsored by the Burroughs
then retaining well-educated students with Science & Wellcome Fund (BWF)
Engineering interests would improve the United States’
ability to compete in today’s global scientific community. 3. Participation in a peer network system of
(SCIENCE, 31 March 2006, Preparing Minority Scientists underrepresented minority postdoctoral scholars
and Engineers, Michael Summers and Freeman Hrabowski).
3 POSTDOCTORAL DIVERSITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PDEP)

POSTDOCTORAL DIVERSITY
ENRICHMENT AWARD
The Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Program (PDEP) The program provides a total of $60,000 over three years
provides a total of $60,000 over three years to support the as follows:
career development activities for postdoctoral fellows within
Year one: $20,000 will be granted to support enrichment
underrepresented groups at a degree-granting institution in
activities of the postdoctoral fellow ($10,000 for research
the United States or Canada whose training and professional
supplies or equipment uniquely required to enhance the
development are guided by mentors committed to helping
postdoctoral fellow’s research and $10,000 for education
them advance to stellar careers in biomedical or medical
and training, including for mentors in the research lab where
research. This year, up to 25 awards will be granted for
the postdoctoral fellow is assigned.) The PDEP award
enrichment activities annually. This grant is meant to
cannot be used to support salary expenses or indirect
supplement the training of postdocs whose research
costs. (Refer to “Terms of Grant” for information on indirect
activities are already supported. It is not a research grant.
costs and other requirements for use of funds.)
Beginning with the 2023-2024 grant cycle, BWF and the
Year two: $20,000 (same allocation as year one)
Charles H. Revson Foundation are proud to announce a
collaboration aimed at expanding diversity and inclusion
Year three: $20,000 will be granted to help the postdoctoral
in the scientific research community. This partnership
fellow advance research efforts towards the professoriate.
supports minority scientists’ advancement and enhances
The funds must be used to develop independent, innovative
their contributions to various fields of research.
areas of research.
Through PDEP, the Charles H. Revson Foundation will fund
up to five additional fellowships to postdoctoral researchers
at institutions located within the New York Metro area.
PDEP award recipients being supported by the Charles
H. Revson Foundation will be recognized as BWF PDEP/
Revson Scholars.
4 POSTDOCTORAL DIVERSITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PDEP)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants for the Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Award: In addition to the PDEP awards funded by the Burroughs
Wellcome Fund, up to five additional PDEP awards will
n must have no more than 48 months of postdoctoral
be funded by the Charles H. Revson Foundation. These
research experience (in a research laboratory) at the
awards will be recognized as the BWF PDEP Revson
time of application and not be more than 5 years from
Scholars. This designation is in recognition of postdoctoral
his/her Ph.D.
researchers at institutions located within the New York
Metro area receiving the BWF PDEP award. All elements
n must be nominated by a qualified mentor at the
of the PDEP award and programming are consistent with
degree-granting institution where the applicant will
ALL PDEP awardees except in the case of some additional
conduct the postdoctoral/fellowship training.
engagement of New York Metro awardees with the Charles
Applications must be approved by an official
H. Revson Foundation.
responsible for sponsored programs (generally from
the grants office, office of research, or office of
Individuals identified as underrepresented postdoctoral
sponsored programs) at the degree-granting institution.
fellows conducting biomedical or medical research
are eligible to apply. The program targets postdoctoral
n must have secured a postdoctoral position with
fellows with Ph.D.s in the biomedical or medical sciences.
funding (including support by the mentor’s existing
Applicants with M.D. degrees who have secured a
research grants) at a degree-granting institution in
postdoctoral research appointment beyond clinical
the United States or Canada and must begin the
fellowship will be considered for this program. DDS,
postdoctoral position on or by the designated award
DVM, and PharmD candidates may be eligible, but should
commencement date.
contact BWF prior to applying. Proposals in health services
n must be within an underrepresented group (i.e. research or involving large-scale clinical trials are ineligible.
American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African
American, Hispanic, or Native Hawaiian or other
Pacific Islander).
n must be citizens of the United States or Canada
(at the time of application).
n must devote at least 75% of time to research.
5 POSTDOCTORAL DIVERSITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PDEP)

IMPORTANT NOTES SELECTION PROCESS
A person with more than 48 months of postdoctoral Selection of award recipients is made by a scientific advisory
experience (in a research laboratory) at the time of committee with final approval by the Burroughs Wellcome
application or with more than five years from his/her Ph.D. Fund Board of Directors. Generally, up to 25 Postdoctoral
is not eligible for this award. Diversity Enrichment Program (PDEP) awards will be made
annually. The committee will use the following criteria to
The PDEP award can only be made to degree-granting
identify PDEP fellows who are innovative and committed
institutions in the U.S. or Canada. Institutional Internal
to research. The award will provide funding to support and
Revenue Service determination letter of non-profit status
advance the PDEP fellow and support clear articulation of
may be requested by BWF staff if said letter is not on file
the vision and philosophy of advancing his/her career.
in our database.
Qualifications of PDEP Applicant
A qualified mentor is required for the PDEP award. It has
n PDEP fellows with strong Ph.D. achievement and
been documented that minorities are less likely to enter and
actively conducting research in the biomedical and
remain in science and engineering when they lack mentors
medical areas.
and role models. Mentors are expected to provide a letter of
nomination with the proposal and the mentor’s commitment
Characteristics of Proposed Mentor
to the applicant’s career is important. Mentors of funded
n Capacity, track record, and commitment to advancing
PDEP awardees are strongly encouraged to attend a
the careers of young scientists.
mentoring workshop during the Fall of the year that the
award is made. The mentor must explicitly state how the n Willingness to participate in workshops to understand
postdoctoral fellow’s stipend is being supported since the expectations of the award and a commitment to its
PDEP award cannot be used to support salary expenses. goals (see Eligibility and Terms of the Award).
Please see the characteristics of a qualified mentor under
“Selection Process” and expectations of mentors under n Publications, training, and research background.
“Terms of the Award.”
Characteristics of Proposed Research Laboratory
n Appropriateness of facilities including laboratory,
classroom, and residential spaces where the PDEP
fellow is assigned.
n Clear indication of adequate equipment and facilities
for work being proposed for PDEP fellows. If additional
equipment is being requested, an explanation of why
the equipment is required.
6 POSTDOCTORAL DIVERSITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PDEP)

The PDEP program prioritizes groups in the US shown to be n Native American refers to US or Canadian citizens who
underrepresented in the sciences and historically excluded are descendants from the indigenous peoples of North
because of race/ethnicity: Native American, Native Pacific America. US Natives eligible for this program need to
Islander, Black/African American, Latinx. For the purpose of be accepted members of any of the 573 recognized
this program, these groups are defined as follows: Nations or tribes as listed by the US Bureau of Indian
Affairs. Canadian Natives should be members of any of
n Black/African American refers to US citizens of
the First Nations, or Inuit, or Métis.
African descent who have been raised in the United
States and who are descendants from families of the n Native Pacific Islander refers to: a) Native Hawaiians,
American South or Deep South, or descendants of who are the indigenous Polynesian people of Hawaii;
families who migrated from the American south to b) Indigenous peoples of Oceania who are citizens of
urban areas in the north, Midwest and southwest; any of the islands served by the US Office of Insular
Black Americans exposed to US discriminatory laws Affairs.
and practices that were in effect prior to the passage
of the US Civil Rights Act by Congress in 1964, such
as redlining, Jim Crow laws, and enslavement.
n Latinx refers to the people of Latin America and their
descendants who live in the US. The PDEP program
prioritizes support for postdocs who reside in the US
and who are descendants from Latin American families
disadvantaged by US immigration and economic
practices such as migrant farm work and other low
wage labor. Most such families will have immigrated
from Mexico, Central America, or Puerto Rico. Puerto
Rican residents and citizens are eligible to apply.
7 POSTDOCTORAL DIVERSITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PDEP)

TERMS OF THE GRANT/USE OF GRANT FUNDS
Indirect costs may not be charged against BWF grants. Year one: $20,000 will be granted to support enrichment
activities of the postdoctoral fellow ($10,000 for research
Awards are made to the degree-granting institutions on
supplies or equipment uniquely required to enhance the
behalf of the award recipients. The Postdoctoral Diversity
postdoctoral fellow’s research and $10,000 for education
Enrichment Program (PDEP) award provides a total of
and training, including for mentors in the research lab where
$60,000 over three years as outlined below to support
the postdoctoral fellow is assigned.)
the development of a PDEP fellow at a degree-granting
institution. Applicants at affiliated graduate and medical Year two: $20,000 (same allocation as year one)
schools, hospitals and research institutions in the United
Year three: $20,000 will be granted to help the postdoctoral
States or Canada must apply through the degree-granting
fellow advance research efforts towards the professoriate.
institution. Individual PDEP fellows conducting biomedical
The funds must be used to develop independent, innovative
or medical research are eligible to apply. Award recipients
areas of research.
must commit 75% of their time to research.
BWF acknowledges that postdoctoral fellows may move
The institutions are responsible for disbursing the funds and
to new institutions. Awards may not be transferred for
for maintaining adequate supporting records and receipts
another postdoctoral position. Award recipients who
of expenditures. Indirect costs may not be charged against
change institutions for another postdoctoral position may
the awards.
take with them any equipment or supplies purchased under
Award recipients must provide BWF with an annual progress the award.
report detailing their progress. Institutions must provide an
Scientific publications or presentations that result from
annual financial report. Both reports must be submitted (on
these awards must acknowledge the awardee’s receipt
forms that will be provided) by November 1st of each award
of a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Postdoctoral Diversity
year. Continued funding will depend on both the timely
Enrichment Program Award. Copies of journal articles and
submission of these reports and their favorable review by
other publications should be sent to BWF along with the
BWF and its program advisory committee.
annual progress report.
Award recipients may obtain funds from other sources for
Awardees should follow their institutions’ patent, copyright,
research in the same or similar areas as that conducted
and intellectual property policies regarding discoveries that
under these grants, so long as there is no conflict with
result from research conducted under these awards. BWF
meeting the terms of BWF’s award.
expects the appropriate federal, state, and local guidelines
This award cannot be used to provide the postdoctoral with regard to scientific misconduct are in place and
fellow’s salary or to purchase reagents or equipment enforced at all institutions with which BWF awardees are
commonly found in the mentor’s laboratory. The award is affiliated.
under the control of the award recipient and may be used
Awardees should share scientific findings in a timely manner
flexibly for career development activities as outlined below.
via the standard means of scientific communication,
including publications and/or presentations in scientific
forums. BWF will not retain any rights to published results
or patents that result from the research.
8 POSTDOCTORAL DIVERSITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PDEP)

Expectations for Mentors Questions?
A qualified mentor is required for the PDEP. It has been Alfred Mays, Senior Program Officer
documented that members of underrepresented groups are amays@bwfund.org, 919-991-5103
less likely to enter and remain in science and engineering
when they lack mentors and role models. In most science Samantha Moore, Program Associate
and engineering disciplines, the percentage of those smoore@bwfund.org, 919-917-5137
in underrepresented groups among faculty recently
hired is not comparable to that of recent Ph.Ds. from
underrepresented groups and is far below that of recent
bachelor degree recipients. This results in fewer faculty
within underrepresented groups to act as role models
for minority students. (A National Analysis of Minorities in
Science and Engineering Faculties at Research Universities,
Nelson and Brammer, January 2010). This program is
designed to encourage innovative scientists with broad
ranging backgrounds in the biomedical and medical
sciences and with experiences in working with postdoctoral
fellows to consider serving as mentors.
BWF has developed a diversity enrichment workshop for
PDEP awardees and their mentors. The workshop takes
place annually in conjunction with BWF’s New Awardee
Meeting. Details of the workshops will be provided with
ample notice and PDEP mentors will be strongly encouraged
to participate in a minimum of one mentor workshop within
the first two years of the active award period. Discussions
and topics will include considerations of the cultural barriers
that exist for underrepresented group postdoctoral fellows
within the scientific community and the value effective
mentoring can have on mentee career development and
progression.
9 POSTDOCTORAL DIVERSITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PDEP)