University of Notre Dame Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship in Engineering 2026

If you’re an early-career researcher in engineering looking for a prestigious postdoctoral opportunity, the University of Notre Dame Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship in Engineering is a highly competitive program worth exploring. Applications are now open, and here’s a full breakdown to help you decide whether to apply and prepare a strong submission.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA

• Department: College of Engineering

• Level: Postdoctoral (2-year)

• Target group: Recent PhD graduates (or near completion) in engineering or applied sciences

• Fields of Focus: All areas within engineering and applied sciences; proposals aligned with Notre Dame’s strategic framework (e.g. societal challenges, interdisciplinary research) are especially welcome

• Coverage:

  • $75,000/year stipend (for 24 months)

  • $15,000 allowance for independent research, training, professional development

• Duration: 2 years (24 months)

• Application deadline: December 15, 2025, at 11:59 pm (EST)

• Notification: Expected by March 2026

• Start date: Likely fall 2026— precise start is coordinated with department and mentor

  
  

📚 Fellowship Overview

The Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship in Engineering is part of a new university-wide postdoctoral initiative launched by Notre Dame to recruit outstanding early-career scholars in science, engineering, and the liberal arts.

Key structural features:

• Each fellow is matched with a primary research mentor from the College of Engineering, and optionally co-mentors (who must hold appointments at Notre Dame)

• All fellows participate in a Postdoctoral Training Program organized by the College of Engineering. The training covers leadership, independent research development, and career planning in cohort format

• Fellows benefit from Notre Dame’s broad interdisciplinary centers and institutes to facilitate cross-campus collaboration

• Professional development support is provided by the Engineering College’s Director of Postdoctoral Studies

🎁 Benefits & What’s Covered

• Annual stipend ($75,000) to support salary/living expenses

• Research / professional development allowance ($15,000) to fund independent projects, travel, workshops, etc.

• Mentorship and access to co-mentors

• Integration into a formal training program (workshops, seminars, peer cohort)

• Access to Notre Dame’s research facilities, cross-disciplinary institutes, and faculty networks

• Career development planning toward an independent research trajectory

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

1. PhD timing: Complete (or plan to complete) all doctoral degree requirements between June 2024 and September 2026 

   • Earlier PhD dates may be accepted if maternity/paternity leave or FMLA leave occurred in the past two years

2. Nationality: Open to all nationalities (no citizenship restrictions)

3. Current position: Applicants who are already postdoctoral scholars at Notre Dame are not eligible

4. Mentoring plan: Must identify a primary mentor (and optionally co-mentors) at Notre Dame in the application; contacting potential mentors ahead of time is strongly encouraged

5. Research proposal: Must propose a project at the forefront of engineering / applied science, ideally aligned with Notre Dame’s strategic initiatives

📝 Application Procedure

Applicants must submit the following materials (via Interfolio) by the deadline:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

2. Statement (≤ 5 pages, excluding citations):

   • Career goals, prior research accomplishments, teaching/mentoring experience

   • Proposed research during the fellowship

   • Identification of primary and co-mentors, and rationale for choosing them

3. Up to 5-slide presentation (PDF): Use the template provided by the program

4. Three letters of recommendation, submitted via Interfolio (referees should not email letters directly)

ℹ️ Important notes:

• Engage potential mentors early—even before your application—to discuss your proposed research and fit

• Make sure your research aligns (or can be framed to align) with Notre Dame’s strategic goals / interdisciplinary thrusts

• The presentation slides let you distill your research plan visually—use them to highlight novelty, significance, and methodology

• Letters should address your research potential, independence, collaboration, and mentoring / teaching abilities

💡Additional Insights & Tips

• The programme is new (piloted in 2025) and is part of Notre Dame’s strategic framework to expand postdoctoral support across disciplines.

• In 2025, the university announced opening applications for the 2026 cohort, reinforcing its commitment to sustaining the program.

• The university aims to recruit up to 6 fellows in engineering per cycle (as part of an 18-fellow cohort across all domains).

• Because the program is selective, your application should emphasize both scientific excellence and a compelling research vision, as well as your potential as an independent investigator

• International candidates should verify visa / immigration support options early, though Notre Dame has experience hosting international postdocs

• Monitor the official program page regularly for updates or changes to deadlines, application forms, or mentoring opportunities

🔗 Apply Now

🔗 Official Link

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