As a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s vision to become a preeminent global Catholic research university, the 2033 Strategic Framework identifies "investing in people" as central to the University's mission. A vital component of this investment is the expansion of our postdoctoral community—the "research engine" responsible for driving innovation and mentoring future scholars. To accelerate this growth, the University launched the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in the 2025/26 academic year. This prestigious, University-wide initiative supports exceptional early-career researchers who share Notre Dame’s commitment to being a "force for good."
Enhancing the research engine
This pilot program attracts elite scholars eager to conduct cutting-edge research within a mission-driven environment. Fellows are granted rare independence to pursue ambitious, long-term interdisciplinary research and the flexibility to collaborate with top-tier international institutions. Faculty mentors emphasize that these fellows are not merely trainees but "active catalysts" for institutional momentum. They often introduce entirely new research areas to their departments, provide vital mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students, and contribute to the teaching mission.
“He brings fresh perspectives and a high level of specialized expertise that accelerates our progress on these complex problems and elevates the work of our entire group,” says Prof. Peter Cholak (Mathematics) regarding Fellow David Gonzalez. “Programs of this caliber are not just stepping stones for emerging scholars; they are active catalysts for our own institutional research momentum.” Prof. Ahsan Kareem (Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences) echoes this sentiment regarding Fellow Joey Jiayao Wang, “Fellows contribute not only to ongoing projects, but also to the broader intellectual life of the lab by introducing different training backgrounds, new questions, and complementary areas of expertise. This helps keep the group dynamic, innovative, and forward-looking, while also strengthening its research productivity and long-term development.”
A competitive global talent draw
The pilot program funds up to 18 two-year postdoctoral scholar appointments annually—six each in the Colleges of Arts & Letters, Engineering, and Science. Fellowships are appointed at the college level and supported institutionally for 24 months, with a renewal at 12 months. They include a generous stipend and research allowance. The program has become a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s strategy to recruit elite global talent, particularly as federal funding for such positions remains tightened. Through an extremely competitive application process (2.24% selectivity rate for the 2025/26 cohort and 1.65% for the 2026/27 cohort), postdoctoral scholars have been placed across the three Colleges.
Representing the three primary divisions of the College of Arts & Letters (Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences), one scholar has been placed in 11 departments and institutes, each for a two-year tenure. Similarly, 12 scholars have been placed for two-year appointments across the College of Engineering. The College of Science offers three-year terms (an optional third year funded by the faculty mentor or department). It supports an additional fellow for each cohort, placing 14 scholars across the five departments of the College over the last two years.
A professional accelerator
Beyond research output, the initiative serves as an essential professional “accelerator” equipping fellows with the skills necessary to excel in a competitive faculty job market. The program distinguishes itself through a rigorous professional development curriculum—covering everything from grant writing to publishing to pedagogy to leadership—research visibility through frequent opportunities to present work and receive feedback, and a culture of one-on-one faculty mentorship designed to launch the next generation of academic leaders.
The testimonials from the fellows in the first cohort attest to the success of the program. Provost Postdoctoral Fellow in German, Peter Makhouf, exclaims, “I can confidently say that the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship has radically transformed the trajectory of my academic career for the better.” Similarly, Tzvi Schoenbergy, a fellow in Medieval Studies, states, “The fellowship has provided me with the intellectual space and institutional support necessary to substantially advance my research as I transition toward a full academic career… Equally significant has been the professional training and resources offered through the program, which reflect a genuine institutional commitment to the development of scholars in the humanities.” Feng Xie, Provost Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, explains, “The Provost Postdoctoral Fellowship has provided a uniquely supportive and intellectually stimulating environment that is instrumental in preparing me for an independent research career. Beyond enabling high-impact research, the program offers critical resources, mentorship, and professional development opportunities that are rarely available simultaneously in traditional postdoctoral appointments.”
Conclusion
The Provost Postdoctoral Fellow initiative positions Notre Dame as a premier destination for the next generation of academic leaders. The program represents more than just a financial investment; it is a transformative bridge between elite doctoral training and future academic leadership. By blending research independence with a structured, rigorous professional development curriculum, Notre Dame has created a premier ecosystem where early-career scholars don't just participate in research—they redefine it. As these fellows infuse the University with fresh perspectives and interdisciplinary innovation, they solidify the University’s 2033 vision, proving that when a mission-driven institution empowers its "research engine," it doesn't just advance its own stature—it cultivates a powerful force for good within the global scholarly community.
Originally published by at graduateschool.nd.edu on April 15, 2026.