Advance your diabetes research career with the prestigious ADA Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards 2025. This U.S.-based program funds early-career scientists with up to $297,024 over three years. Gain expert mentorship, national recognition, and make impactful contributions to diabetes science through innovative, full-time postdoctoral research.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) continues its mission to advance diabetes research by offering the Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards 2025, a premier opportunity for early-career scientists to develop their research skills and contribute to breakthroughs in diabetes prevention, treatment, and management. This program supports postdoctoral scholars conducting high-impact studies at U.S.-based research institutions.
Important Dates
The ADA Fellowship program operates on a well-defined timeline, ensuring applicants have sufficient time to prepare their proposals and secure the necessary documentation:
Application Opens: May 5, 2025
Application Deadline: July 23, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Notification of Award: Mid-November 2025 (anticipated around November 17)
Earliest Project Start Date: January 1, 2026
All application materials must be submitted through the SmartSimple portal. Late submissions will not be considered under any circumstances.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the ADA Postdoctoral Fellowship, applicants must meet the following conditions:
Hold a doctoral-level degree (PhD, MD, DVM, DO, PharmD, DMD, or equivalent).
Be within four years of completing their terminal degree at the time
of submission.Be affiliated with a U.S.-based non-profit research institution or academic organization. Institutions in U.S. territories and possessions are eligible.
Be eligible to work in the United States. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and holders of eligible visas may apply.
Commit to a full-time fellowship position. If a part-time appointment is proposed, it must be justified within the budget.
These criteria ensure that the program supports early-career researchers poised to make meaningful contributions to diabetes science.
Fellowship Funding and Benefits
Duration and Funding Limits
The ADA Postdoctoral Fellowship is awarded for a period of up to three years, subject to satisfactory progress and continued eligibility. The total annual budget per fellow is capped at $99,008, amounting to a maximum of $297,024 over three years.
Allowable Costs
The total budget includes:
Salary Stipend: Based on the fellow’s experience, starting at $71,008 for those with no postdoctoral experience and scaling up to $84,088 for individuals with seven or more years.
Fringe Benefits: A flat allocation of $7,000 per year to cover health insurance and related costs.
Training Allowance: An annual sum of $8,000 to support travel, workshops, supplies,
and professional development.
Please note that indirect costs are not permitted. All requested funds must be directly allocated to research or training-related expenses.
Application Process and Required Materials
Submission Portal
Applications must be submitted through the SmartSimple online platform, available via the ADA’s official website. The portal supports draft saving, upload management, and institutional review features.
Application Components
The submission package must include:
Body of Application (as a single PDF):
Cover Page
Table of Contents
Specific Aims
Significance of the Research
Innovation Statement
Research Strategy
Data Sharing Plan
Literature References
Career Goals and Objectives
Description of Facilities and Resources
IRB/IACUC Approvals (if applicable)
Biosketch: Must follow NIH formatting standards.
ORCID iD: Applicants must obtain and provide an ORCID identifier.
Mentor Letter: Should detail the mentor’s qualifications, history of training, and a tailored mentoring plan for the applicant.
Three Letters of Recommendation:
One from the doctoral advisor or equivalent.
Two from colleagues or past collaborators (excluding the mentor).
All letters must be uploaded directly by the recommenders through SmartSimple. It is highly recommended that applicants request letters at
Peer Review and Evaluation Criteria
The ADA employs a rigorous peer-review system to assess applications. The review process focuses on:
Scientific Merit: Soundness of the hypothesis, clarity of aims, feasibility of the research strategy.
Innovation: Originality and potential impact of the research on the field of diabetes.
Applicant Qualifications: Academic background, publication record, and demonstrated commitment to diabetes research.
Institutional Environment: Adequacy of resources, mentorship quality, and alignment with the applicant’s goals.
Applications that do not meet minimum scoring thresholds may be triaged without full review. Final decisions are typically communicated in November.
Program Impact and Alumni Outcomes
Since its inception in 1952, the ADA Postdoctoral Fellowship program has played a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of diabetes researchers. Many past fellows have gone on to hold faculty positions, lead research centers, and influence diabetes policy and care on a national and international scale.
In 2024, the program saw record-breaking participation, awarding 29 fellowships to promising researchers from diverse fields.
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