Application Information

The deadline for applications to join the 2024-25 cohort has passed.

Once you click on “Apply Now”, you will be prompted to create an account. After doing so, you will be redirected to the posting and will be able to begin the application process by clicking on the “Apply Now” link. If you wish to save your application and come back to it later, click on “Save changes.” All required information is indicated with an asterisk.

Application materials

  • A 3-page research proposal
  • CV
  • Writing sample (sample publication or other work of scholarship)
  • *Helpful Tip: You can upload your research proposal and CV as one document and writing sample as another.*
  • Name of one (1) active Rice University tenure-track faculty member with whom candidate would like to work (to be included in the answer to the supplemental question on the application). All applicants are asked to contact their prospective mentor to seek their support both as a mentor as well as for salary support of (50% of the fellowship, or $30,000 annually)
  • Letter of support. This letter should be obtained in advance of submitting the final application and emailed to riceacademy@rice.edu with the subject line "Letter of Support". The letter of support should contain two things: 1) a concise description of the proposed postdoctoral project(s) and why the candidate fits the project and 2) that half of the fellowship will be funded by the Rice University faculty member or a Rice University department
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation, due on or before a date TBA, to be emailed to riceacademy@rice.edu by the recommender. Recommenders are encouraged to use your name and "Letter of Recommendation" in the subject line.

The primary emphasis of the research proposal should be to outline the postdoctoral research approach and likely outcomes, but some description of plans beyond the postdoc would be welcome.

Please provide the name of an actively researching Rice University faculty member with whom you would like to work (to be included in the answer to the supplemental question on the application). All applicants are asked to contact their prospective mentor to seek their support both as a mentor as well as for salary support (50% of the fellowship, or $30,000 annually, plus fringe). Rice departments welcoming applications are listed in the eligibility tab.

The letter of support from the Rice University faculty member should be obtained in advance of submitting the final application and emailed to riceacademy@rice.edu with the subject line "Letter of Support". The letter of support should contain two things: 1) a concise description of the proposed postdoctoral project(s) and why the candidate fits the project and 2) that half of the fellowship will be funded by the Rice University faculty member or a Rice University department.

Three (3) letters of recommendation, due on or before January 3, 2024, to be emailed to riceacademy@rice.edu by the recommender. Recommenders are encouraged to use your name and "Letter of Recommendation" in the subject line.

Submitting the application

Your research proposal, curriculum vitae, writing sample, and letter of support should all be uploaded as documents. Please be certain that the status for each document is “PDF complete” before submitting your application. Please be sure all information is accurate and up-to-date before submitting your application. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an application confirmation email and emails will be sent to your listed references to with instructions to submit letters of recommendation.

All applications for the 2024 competition are due on or before January 3, 2024. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, please feel free to contact us at riceacademy@rice.edu or 713-348-4002.

Application review process

The applications are evaluated by the Senior Fellows closest to the discipline. Additional Rice faculty may be called in to review applications when necessary. The Rice University Academy of Fellows recruits Junior Fellows who demonstrate potential in their future independent careers and would strengthen the scholarly enterprise at Rice.

Finalist interviews

Several finalists will be selected and invited to give a presentation at a Rice Academy Symposium in Spring 2024. Finalists will have the chance to meet current Rice Academy Senior and Junior Fellows. We expect the selected Junior Fellows to start at Rice in September 2024.