Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Plant Biology 2027

Researchers in agriculture and crop science should pay particular attention to the programme's focus. A project that simply evaluates an agricultural treatment may not be suitable unless it addresses a fundamental question about plant biology. The central scientific question—not just the applicant's academic qualification—must fit the programme.

Fellowship Funding and Benefits

The award can provide up to US$360,000 over three years. Funding is administered through the host institution under the foundation's award conditions.

The annual allowance may support eligible health insurance and institutional benefits, research supplies, small equipment, sequencing expenses, scientific meetings and research-related travel. Relocation expenses must comply with host-institution policies, and payment cannot be made directly to fellows for this purpose.

The award supports full-time research. Fellows generally cannot hold another postdoctoral fellowship or position concurrently, and indirect or overhead costs cannot be charged to the award. Applicants should review the complete financial conditions before preparing their budget.

Application Tips: How to Develop a Competitive Proposal

The most important preparation is to build a clear scientific case for the proposed research. The following recommendations are practical guidance tailored to the programme, not an official scoring rubric.

1. Identify a question that has not been adequately answered

Start with a specific gap in scientific knowledge. Rather than proposing to study plant growth or drought tolerance in general, identify the biological mechanism, relationship or process you want to investigate. Explain what researchers currently understand, what remains uncertain and why resolving that uncertainty matters.

2. Explain why your proposed methods are necessary

The interdisciplinary element should solve a research problem, not merely add an attractive technique to the project. If you plan to combine plant physiology with mathematical modelling, explain what the model will help reveal that experimental measurements alone cannot establish. Make the relationship between the biological question, methods and expected findings explicit.

3. Select your mentor strategically

Review potential mentors' recent publications, methods and research facilities. Contact suitable researchers with a concise introduction to your background, a preliminary research question and an explanation of how your expertise could contribute to their work. Discuss the project's feasibility and the skills you would need to develop. Remember that your proposed sponsor cannot be your doctoral thesis adviser.

4. Make the three-year plan realistic

Break the project into achievable stages, with clear objectives and expected outputs. Identify important technical risks and explain how you would respond if a method did not produce the expected results. A focused project with a credible plan is more persuasive than an ambitious proposal that cannot reasonably be completed within the fellowship period.

5. Connect your experience to the proposed research

Use your CV, publications and previous research to demonstrate what you can contribute. If you are entering plant biology from another discipline, explain how your existing skills could address the scientific question. If you are already a plant scientist, identify the new expertise you intend to acquire and why it is important to the proposed work.

6. Write a precise impact statement

The application requires a one-sentence explanation of how successful results or tools would advance understanding of plant biology. Avoid broad promises about solving global food insecurity or climate change unless you can explain a credible connection. State the specific scientific insight the project could deliver.

7. Secure the required recommendations early

Four confidential recommendation letters are required: one from the doctoral thesis adviser, two from additional research scientists, and one from the proposed postdoctoral sponsor. The two additional scientists should address the applicant's potential for future leadership. The sponsor's letter must discuss the proposed research and confirm acceptance into the laboratory, as applicable.

Invite referees well before the deadline, share relevant application information and check that each person accepts the invitation and submits their letter. The application cannot proceed to institutional sign-off until all required letters have been submitted.

Application Documents and Submission

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Simons Award Manager (SAM). Applicants should prepare the required materials and coordinate with the host institution before the deadline.

The application includes:

• A research proposal prepared according to the current call's instructions.
• The applicant's scientific biosketch.
• Biosketches and other-support documentation for the proposed sponsor or sponsors.
• A detailed budget with justifications for eligible expenses.
• A technical abstract and a one-sentence scientific impact statement.
• Four confidential recommendation letters.
• Required institutional information and authorised sign-off.

Applicants must use their own SAM account to create and submit the application. The host institution's authorised signing official must complete the required sign-off. Applicants should check the official instructions for proposal formatting, budget allocation and any additional documentation relevant to their project.

Important Dates

• Application deadline: December 3, 2026, at 12:00 noon Eastern Time.
• Expected decision notifications: May 1, 2027.
• Award acceptance deadline: May 15, 2027.
• Permitted fellowship start dates: The first day of a month between July 1 and October 1, 2027.

The deadline is stated in U.S. Eastern Time. Applicants in Nigeria should convert it to local time and submit well in advance, allowing time for recommendation letters and institutional approval.

How to Apply

1. Read the official fellowship announcement and confirm your eligibility.
2. Identify a suitable research sponsor at an eligible U.S. institution.
3. Discuss the scientific question, research approach and proposed mentoring arrangement.
4. Prepare the proposal, biosketches, budget and supporting information.
5. Invite all four referees and monitor the submission of their letters.
6. Complete the application through the Simons Award Manager and coordinate institutional sign-off.
7. Confirm that every required component has been submitted before the deadline.