[PhRMA Foundation](https://phrmafoundation.org)

April 15, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | August 26, 2026 (Full application, by invitation)

$60,000/year for up to 2 years; stipend only, not for tuition or indirect costs

Supports postdoctoral research advancing innovative drug delivery, formulation, and predictive approaches for safer, more effective treatments.

Two-step application: LOI required; only invited applicants may submit full proposals.

--- ## Description This fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers at accredited U.S. universities working on multidisciplinary, collaborative research to advance the field of drug delivery. The program funds therapeutically relevant projects that optimize drug composition, dosage, and delivery, aiming to make treatments more clinically viable, safer, and more effective. Research areas include novel formulation composition, innovative delivery technologies, manufacturing processes for challenging molecules, and predictive modeling (including AI and computational methods) that bridge drug quality with in vivo performance. Projects should clearly define therapeutic payloads, target tissues, dosing rationale, and translational validation plans. Computational and AI-based proposals must include robust validation and data curation strategies. --- ## Due Dates - **Letter of Intent deadline:** April 15, 2026 (by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time) - **Full application deadline (by invitation):** August 26, 2026 (by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time) - **Application portal opens:** March 9, 2026 - **Invitation to submit full application:** July 1, 2026 - **Award notification:** December 15, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - **Stipend:** $60,000 per year, for up to 2 years (12, 18, or 24 months) - **Purpose:** Stipend only; may not be used for tuition, fringe benefits, or indirect costs - **Payment:** Directly to the university on behalf of the awardee; continued funding beyond 12 months requires a satisfactory progress report at 10 months - **Start date:** Funding may begin as early as January 1, 2027, up to August 1, 2027 --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be in a postdoctoral research position at a PhD-granting, accredited U.S. university at the time of LOI submission. - Open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. - Must hold a PhD, PharmD, MD, or equivalent terminal research doctorate. - Doctoral degree must have been granted **after January 1, 2024**. - Must have at least two first-author publications (co-first authorships are acceptable). - Not eligible if recipient of an NIH K99/R00 or NIH-F award. - May apply if currently funded by an institutional training grant (e.g., NIH T32), but must forgo that slot if funded by PhRMA Foundation. - Cannot hold another stipend support fellowship concurrently. - Preference for applicants conducting research in a new laboratory (not their graduate lab). - Only one applicant per lab per cycle (lab must choose between predoc, postdoc, or faculty applicant). - Visiting postdoctoral researchers at U.S. universities are eligible if they will remain for the full fellowship. --- ## Application Process **Two-step process:** ### Step 1: Letter of Intent (LOI) - Submit via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/GrantOpportunities.asp?GMID=206) - Required materials: - NIH biosketch (most recent format, no academic record) - Project abstract - 600-word LOI (max 4,500 characters; one attachment allowed for up to 4 figures/citations) - Responses to Research Impact Questions (template provided) ### Step 2: Full Application (by invitation) - Invited applicants notified by July 1, 2026 - Full application due August 26, 2026 - Required materials include: - General information and funding request - Updated biosketch and professional profile - Institutional details - Key personnel (including Department Chair and Research Supervisor) - Letters of reference (research supervisor, 1–3 general references, collaborators if applicable) - Extended letter (career synopsis, max 2 pages) - Research plan (NIH-style, up to 8 pages plus specific aims and bibliography) - Research Impact Questions (template) - Training plan (template, signed) - Budget summary - IRB/IACUC assurances (if applicable) - Demographics (confidential) - Attachments as specified **Important:** Only one application per applicant per cycle. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. --- ## Additional Information - Nonresponsive proposals (e.g., platform development without payload or disease context) will not be considered. - Funding is non-transferable and contingent on continued employment at the host institution. - Unspent funds must be returned. - Awardees must submit annual and final progress and financial reports. - Awardees must acknowledge PhRMA Foundation support in all related publications and presentations. --- ## External Links - [PhRMA Foundation Drug Delivery Postdoctoral Fellowship program page](https://www.phrmafoundation.org/grants-fellowships/postdoctoral-fellowships/drug-delivery/) - [PhRMA Foundation home page](https://phrmafoundation.org) - [Application portal (ProposalCentral)](https://proposalcentral.com/GrantOpportunities.asp?GMID=206) - [Applicant FAQs](https://www.phrmafoundation.org/grants-fellowships/application-process/applicant-faqs/) - [Application Process Overview](https://www.phrmafoundation.org/grants-fellowships/application-process/) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |-------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | info@phrmafoundation.org | | Application Help | pcsupport@altum.com or 800-875-2562 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) | | Contact Form | [PhRMA Foundation Contact Page](https://www.phrmafoundation.org/about/contact-us/) |

Drug Delivery Postdoctoral Fellowship

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