Continuing Education

A program offering postdoctoral research fellowships, professional development and faculty mentoring has been established at UC Santa Barbara.

The Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (CPFP) is aimed at outstanding scholars in all fields, whose research, teaching and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at UC.

Like those at other UC campuses, UCSB’s CPFP will be administered in parallel with the UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP). María Herrera-Sobek, associate vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion, will oversee UCSB’s operations.

Fellowships are open to scholars from accredited colleges and universities across the country and are meant to support research conducted at any one of UC’s 10 campuses. The award includes a salary and up to $5,000 for research-related and program travel expenses. Each award is for a minimum of 12 months and may be renewable for an additional term.

To be considered for a CPFP fellowship, candidates must first apply to the UC president’s fellowship program. Applicants who identify mentors at UC Santa Barbara and move on to the top 10 percent of PPFP finalists, as identified by the UC Office of the President, will be reviewed for the Chancellor’s Fellowship. Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellows will receive the same benefits, mentoring and terms of appointment as the President’s Postdoctoral Fellows, including eligibility for the hiring incentive for tenure-track faculty appointments.

“It’s a very rigorous selection process,” said Herrera-Sobek, also a professor of Chicana and Chicano studies. “These are extremely exceptional scholars. They are in high demand across the country.”

Since 2003, when the Office of the President initiated a hiring incentive, more than 175 postdoctoral fellowship scholars have received UC faculty appointments. Among the first group hired under the incentive, 86 of the 87 faculty members eligible for tenure have achieved it. “The program has been very successful,” Herrera-Sobek noted.

“We look forward to participating in this program, and to the opportunity to welcome these outstanding scholars to our academic community as we continue to work together to advance excellence and diversity at UC Santa Barbara,” Chancellor Henry T. Yang wrote in a message to campus.

Information about the President’s Postdoctoral Program can be found at https://ppfp.ucop.edu/info.