University of California opens postdoctoral fellowships for 2026

University of California opens postdoctoral fellowships for 2026, offering eligible researchers a two-year research opportunity through the Alianza MX Postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme. Applications for the 2027–2029 fellowship cycle are expected to open in October 2026.

The University of California (UC), through Alianza MX, is preparing to open applications for its Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 2026. The programme supports researchers whose work is directly relevant to U.S.–Mexico research collaboration and provides a two-year, full-time, in-person research residency at a University of California campus.

For researchers searching for postdoctoral fellowships in the USA, University of California research funding, postdoctoral research opportunities 2026 and international research fellowships, this programme provides an opportunity to develop research while working within the UC academic environment.

The upcoming call is for the 2027–2029 Fellowship Cycle, with applications expected to open in October 2026 and close in February 2027. Both dates are currently subject to confirmation.

Background & Job Description

The Alianza MX Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is designed to support researchers with terminal degrees whose research contributes to U.S.–Mexico academic and research collaboration.

The fellowship provides a two-year, full-time, in-person residency at a University of California campus. Researchers will have the opportunity to conduct their work within the UC system while developing research connections and contributing to collaborative academic activities.

Alianza MX will provide funding to cover the fellow’s salary for 12 months at Level 0. The UC host institution will provide the additional salary and benefits, including compensation adjustments during the fellowship residency.

The programme is therefore an important option for researchers looking for postdoctoral funding in the United States while maintaining a strong international research dimension.

Alianza MX has already conducted pilot fellowship programmes. Its 2026 cohort consists of seven fellows across five UC campuses, while the previous cohort selected five fellows across three UC campuses.

Tasks

Postdoctoral fellows will undertake research activities connected to their approved projects while participating in the academic environment of their host University of California campus.

Depending on the research project and host institution, fellows may be expected to:

Conduct advanced postdoctoral research within their specialist field.
Develop research activities connected to U.S.–Mexico collaboration.
Work with researchers, faculty members and academic teams at the host UC campus.
Contribute to collaborative research initiatives.
Develop academic and professional research networks.
Produce research outputs arising from their fellowship work.
Participate in relevant academic activities and research discussions.
Strengthen long-term research collaboration between institutions in the United States and Mexico.

The specific research responsibilities will depend on the individual applicant’s research proposal and host arrangements. The supplied programme information does not prescribe one standard set of research duties for all fellows.

Qualifications

Education and Certification

The University of California Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is intended for applicants who hold terminal degrees and whose research is directly relevant to U.S.–Mexico research collaboration.

Applicants should ensure that their academic background and proposed research demonstrate a clear connection to the objectives of the programme.

The official programme information does not specify one particular discipline or terminal degree that all applicants must hold. This means researchers should consult the full Call for Applications for the detailed documentation and discipline-specific requirements applicable to the 2027–2029 cycle.

Experience

Applicants are not eligible if they have:

Five or more years of postdoctoral research experience; or
A faculty position at the level of associate professor or above.

The fellowship is therefore particularly relevant to researchers who are still in the earlier stages of their postdoctoral careers and are seeking additional research experience within the University of California system.

Applicants should also demonstrate how their research can contribute to meaningful U.S.–Mexico research collaboration.

Funding and Fellowship Benefits

One of the major attractions of the programme is its salary support and two-year research residency.

The fellowship provides:

A two-year full-time fellowship.
An in-person residency at a University of California campus.
Alianza MX funding covering the fellow’s salary for 12 months at Level 0.
Additional salary and benefits from the UC host.
Compensation adjustments during the residency handled by the UC host.

Importantly, the official information describes the funding structure rather than presenting the opportunity as a conventional scholarship that covers every expense. Applicants should therefore review the official call carefully to understand the precise financial arrangements applicable to their fellowship.

Application Timeline

The University of California’s current timeline for the 2027–2029 Fellowship Cycle is:

Application Stage	Date
Call launches / Applications open	October 2026 — to be confirmed
Application deadline	February 2027 — to be confirmed
Selected fellows announced	May 2027 — to be confirmed
Earliest fellowship start	September 1, 2027
Expected fellowship end	August 31, 2029

Although the programme is being promoted as a 2026 postdoctoral fellowship opportunity, the actual fellowship period for this upcoming cycle begins in September 2027.

Additional Information

Applicants will need to complete an online application form and submit all supporting materials identified in the official call. Candidates are responsible for securing all necessary approvals and signatures before submitting their applications.

The programme has provided an official Call for Applications, a Frequently Asked Questions document and an application portal for prospective applicants.

Official resources:

Researchers interested in applying should begin preparing their research proposal, supporting documents and institutional approvals ahead of the expected October 2026 application opening.

The University of California Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 2026 offer an opportunity for eligible early-career researchers to conduct advanced research within the UC system while strengthening international collaboration. With the next fellowship cycle scheduled to run from 2027 to 2029, prospective applicants should monitor the official Alianza MX page for confirmation of the application dates and final requirements.

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