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Timeline & Deadlines

General Information session: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
HArCS Information Session: Thursday, January 21, 2026
Application deadline: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 5:00 pm PST
Recommendation deadline: Wednesday February 18, 2026

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

• Eligibility

• PFTF is open to:
  - Ph.D. candidates at UC Davis who have advanced to candidacy by the application deadline and have at least two years left in their program.
  - Postdoctoral scholars at UC Davis who will be employed for the duration of the fellowship year.
  
  In the first year, all applicants must be able to:
  - Attend all scheduled PFTF meetings, workshops, and retreats, that run September 2026 to June 2027. 
  - Enroll in and complete EDU 398 Seminar in College Teaching in Fall 2026 of your fellowship year.
  - Commit to completing a service project during the fellowship year.
  - Work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary cohort and engage fully in training activities.

  In the second year, all applicants must be able to:
  - Attend the mentorship training and retreat in September 2027.
  - Serve as active and engaged mentors to their assigned mentee in 2027-2028. 

  There is no requirement based on discipline, college, or prior leadership experience. We encourage applicants from all fields.

• What Fellows Receive
• - $3,000 stipend for the first year of the fellowship
  - $1,500 stipend for the second year of the fellowship
  - Participation in monthly professional development workshops, leadership training, seminars, and a Fall retreat and Spring reception
  - Participation in the Fall offering of EDU 398, Seminar in College Teaching
  - Access to campus leaders, faculty, and administrators to better understand the university system
  - Support and mentorship in designing and implementing a service project benefiting the UC Davis graduate and postdoctoral community
  - Access to mentorship training and development of mentorship skills
• Application Components

• A complete application includes:
  
  1. Online Application Form
      Applicants provide:
       - Statement of Purpose (1,000 words) addressing the following:
                   - A description of leadership and/or service experience
                   - How they hope to contribute to and benefit from the program
       - Description of potential project idea (500 words)
       - CV (2 pages max, 11-point font)
       -  Availability Acknowledgment: Applicants must confirm that they can attend all required program events across the academic year.
  
  Applicants are asked to develop projects based on one of four areas:
  - Public communication of academic research
  - Pedagogical Innovation: Teaching in the Undergraduate Classroom
  - Inclusive excellence
  - Wellness and wellbeing
  
  2. One Letter of Recommendation
      - Graduate students: letter must be from your major professor.
      - Postdoctoral scholars: letter must be from your current PI.
  Recommenders should speak to your leadership potential, initiative, communication skills, and ability to complete a service project.
  NOTE: The applicant must contact the recommender to request completion of the recommendation form.  PFTF does not contact recommenders.

• Selection Criteria

• PFTF is highly competitive; each year selects a limited cohort of advanced doctoral students and postdocs from across the university.
  
  Applicants are evaluated on:
  - Commitment to leadership, service, and professional growth
  - Clarity and feasibility of project ideas
  - Ability to collaborate
  - Communication skills
  - Potential to contribute positively to the graduate/postdoctoral community

• Expectations During the term of the PFTF Fellowship:

• If selected, fellows must:
  - Attend monthly cohort meetings and Fall 2026 retreat and Spring 2027 reception
  - Participate in the Fall quarter EDU 398, Seminar in College Teaching (Fall 2026)
  - Attend the mentorship training in Fall 2027
  - Complete required readings/assignments
  - Meet regularly with program leadership
  - Design, implement, and present a service project
  - Participate in end-of-year reflection and celebration events
  - In the second year of the fellowship, serve as a peer mentor to the incoming cohort. 

Start Your Application

Questions?

For questions about eligibility, application materials, or the fellowship experience, please contact:

Kevin Porter
Program Coordinator
GradPathways 
(530) 754-3041
[email protected]