Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships

APDA Research & Impact Research Opportunities Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships

Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships: Academic Year 2026-2028

Letter of Intent open: Nov 28, 2025

Letter of Intent due: Jan 30, 2026

Invitation for full application: March 20, 2026 

Full Application due: June 5, 2026 

Award details

Two-year fellowship up to a maximum of $75,000 per year will be awarded to post-doctoral (MD, MD/PhD, or PhD) research trainees. 

The applicants will receive notification of the decision in October 2026. The APDA grant year runs from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2028. 

Goal

APDA Post-doc fellowships are intended to support post-doctoral trainees at U.S. research institutions whose research training focuses on new insights into the pathophysiology, etiology, and/or treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Proposals can address research questions anywhere along the pipeline from basic science to rehabilitation-focused projects.

Eligibility

Applicants must have completed their MD, PhD, MD/PhD or clinical residency program within two (2) years of the onset of the proposed award.

Application Process and Proposal

Required information in the Letter of Intent:

  1. Provide an overview of research activities to be carried out. You can upload figures in supplemental materials. (400 words)
  2. Highlight the novelty of the current research as well as the relevance and potential significance of the findings to the PD community (100 words)
  3. Indicate collaborations with other internal or external researchers/organizations. (50 words)
  4. Explain why your institution and your lab are equipped to perform this research (100 words)
  5. Provide a narrative of how the budget will be allocated (% personnel, % equipment, etc.) (50 words)
  6. Citations (unlimited)

In addition, the applicant’s NIH biosketch and the mentor’s NIH biosketch are required.

Note: The word limit shown is only a guideline. The actual limit is based on character count in Proposal Central. Please verify the specific limit within the application. 

Funding

10% of the total funding ($5,000) can be allocated to indirect costs. This is included in the $50,000.

Funding is not to be used for any of the following items:

  • Travel expenses.
  • Publication costs higher than $1,000.
  • Equipment costs higher than $8,000.

Grant Disbursement

Funds ($75,000 a year for two years) will be awarded as follows, per year: 

  • 50% awarded on or about January of each year; 25% on or about May of each year and 25% on or about October of each fiscal year 

Deliverables: 

  • Every year, a midyear scientific report. 
  • Every year, a 12-month scientific report.  
  • Every year, a 12-month financial report. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Elvin Yao, Senior Programs and Research Manager, at eyao@apdaparkinson.org. 

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