RGGS Postdoctoral Fellowships Grant

RGGS Postdoctoral Fellowships Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)
Last Updated: October 08, 2025

Summary

The RGGS Postdoctoral Fellowships at the American Museum of Natural History support postdoctoral researchers in diverse scientific fields including Anthropology, Zoology, and Paleontology. These fellowships typically last two years, offering competitive salaries, benefits, and limited support for relocation and research activities. Candidates are encouraged to contact potential sponsors before applying and must ensure their projects align with the museum's research priorities. Special funding opportunities are available for interdisciplinary projects, enhancing the fellowship experience.

Overview

NOTE: Applicants are encouraged to contact potential curatorial sponsor(s) prior to applying. Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programs of the AMNH are designed to advance the training of each participant by having them pursue a specific, time-limited project in association with Museum professionals in the Museum setting. The applicant's project must fit into one or more of the main research areas of interest in the Museum's Scientific Divisions: Anthropology, Invertebrate Zoology, Paleontology, Physical Sciences (Astrophysics and Earth & Planetary Sciences), or Vertebrate Zoology. Appointments are typically made for two years. In addition to a competitive salary and benefits, limited relocation, research and publication support is provided. Co-Funding Opportunities/Special Funds 1a. Gerstner Scholars Program - Biology1b. Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund - North American Fauna1c. Lerner-Gray Fund - Marine Research If you are proposing a project that engages the mission one or more of the Museum’s special funds, you are required to submit a related abstract. Read the special fund descriptions on below carefully and apply accordingly. When proposals relate to more than one fund, multiple abstracts are required. Gerstner Scholars Program - Biology The Gerstner Scholars Program Generously funded by Mr. Louis V. Gerstner Jr., the Gerstner Scholars program encourages and supports groundbreaking research in biology, with an emphasis on genomics, including such topics as microbes, mammals, invertebrates, marine life, and computational biology. The work of scholars at AMNH co-supported through this competitive program will have implications for such broad themes as human and medical research that is informed by understanding the scientific composition and behavior of other species; and advancing our understanding of the evolution and diversity of species and the "tree of life." Chosen for their creative approaches to research questions that are likely to lead to important new discoveries in their respective fields, Gerstner Scholars will include biological scientists who have demonstrated outstanding performance that merits recognition early in their careers. Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund - North American Fauna The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund for North American Research Applicants proposing to conduct research in any phase of wildlife conservation or related fields of North American fauna - terrestrial and freshwater (rivers, lakes, streams), extant or fossil - are required to apply to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund. North America includes everything north of the Isthmus of Panama, including the Caribbean. There are two exceptions to this application: Applicants submitting research proposals on birds, even within North America, must apply instead to the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund Program,  not to the Theodore Roosevelt Fund.Applicants submitting research proposals on ocean/sea marine life and environments must apply to the Lerner-Gray Fund, not to the Theodore Roosevelt Fund. Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research The Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research Applicants proposing to conduct research in systematics, evolution, ecology, paleontology or zoology of marine life and environments are required to apply to the Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research. There is one exception to this application:Postdoctoral applicants proposing to conduct freshwater research in North America should apply to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund, not to the Lerner-Gray Fund.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to conduct their work at the Museum.Newly graduated or soon-to-graduate PhDs may apply.There are no citizenship or geographic requirements to apply.If you are an international scholar we can assist you with a J-1 visa.Fellows must have received their degrees or deposited their dissertations before they can begin their appointments. The applicant's project must fit into one or more of the main research areas of interest in the Museum's Scientific Divisions: AnthropologyInvertebrate ZoologyPaleontologyPhysical Sciences (Astrophysics and Earth & Planetary Sciences)Vertebrate ZoologyA proposal can relate to two or more disciplines, from two or more Divisions (that is, inter- or multidisciplinary).Applicants are required to apply simultaneously for co-funding from the following special programs and funds (1a, 1b, 1c) when applicable to their proposed research. When proposals relate to more than one co-funding opportunity, applicants must submit multiple abstracts, one for each fund/program. Gerstner Scholars Program - Biology:Applicants proposing Invertebrate and/or Vertebrate Zoology projects are required to submit a Gerstner abstract; applicants proposing Anthropology and/or Paleontology projects that involve Biology are also required to submit a Gerstner abstract. This is not a stand-alone program. To apply, you must complete the main postdoctoral fellowship application above and you must include a 150-word abstract describing how your project specifically relates to the purpose of this fund.Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund - North American Fauna:Conducted research should occur in the North America region which includes everything north of the Isthmus of Panama, including the Caribbean. This is not a stand-alone program. To apply, you must complete the main postdoctoral fellowship application above and you must include a 150-word abstract describing how your project specifically relates to the purpose of this fund.Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research:This is not a stand-alone program. To apply, you must complete the main postdoctoral fellowship application above and you must include a 150-word abstract describing how your project specifically relates to the purpose of this fund.