The Washington Research Foundation (WRF) Postdoctoral Fellowship program backs early-career scientists pursuing bold, independent research at institutions in Washington state. Each fellow works on a self-directed project with genuine potential for public benefit, developing discoveries that could one day translate into new products, services, or scientific practices.
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About the WRF Postdoctoral Fellowship
Founded in 1981 to help Washington’s research institutions commercialise and license their technologies, WRF has steadily expanded its investment in early-career science. Since launching this fellowship in 2018, the Foundation has backed over 102 fellows across 90 laboratories at nine institutions. The 2027 cohort application opens in May 2026, with fellowships beginning during that year.
Funding Size
- Fellowship duration: 3 years
- Year 1 salary: $80,000
- Year 2 salary: $82,500
- Year 3 salary: $85,000
- Benefits covered per institutional policies
- Research expenses also supported
- Up to 12 fellowships awarded per annual cohort
Who Can Apply
- Holders of a doctoral degree in natural sciences, engineering, computer or information science, or mathematics from an accredited graduate programme
- PhD candidates who will complete their degree in time to begin the fellowship on a qualifying start date
- Applicants must not have exceeded two years of postdoctoral training as of the application opening date
- Applicants must not hold a faculty position at the intended commencement of the fellowship
Geographic Eligibility
- Washington State only
- Fellowships must be carried out at an eligible nonprofit research institution in Washington state
- Eligible host institutions include the University of Washington, Washington State University, the Institute for Systems Biology, and other qualifying research organisations in the state
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Life sciences and enabling technologies (preference given)
- Natural sciences broadly, including biology, chemistry, and environmental science
- Engineering and bioengineering
- Computer and information science
- Mathematics and quantitative disciplines
- Translational and applied research with a clear path to real-world impact
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Application Process
Applications are submitted through the online portal on the WRF website, which opens on 1 May 2026. Candidates identify the institution and laboratory where they will conduct their research at the time of submission. Shortlisted applicants are invited to a virtual interview with two to three members of the selection committee, where they deliver a 20-minute presentation of their proposed research project. Final award decisions are communicated by email on the dates published on the WRF website.
Required Materials
- Online application submitted through the WRF portal
- Research proposal articulating the project’s scientific goals and potential for real-world impact
- Three letters of recommendation, one of which must be a letter of support from the prospective principal investigator
- All letters must be received by the application deadline
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Key Dates
- Virtual interviews for shortlisted candidates: September 2026
- Fellowship start dates: 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, or 1 October 2027
Selection Notes
- Selection is conducted by a national committee drawn from academia and industry, representing diverse scientific backgrounds and fields
- Preference is given to projects in life sciences and enabling technologies, though strong proposals from other natural science and engineering disciplines are welcomed
- The programme actively encourages applications from candidates historically underrepresented in higher education and research