Postdoctoral Opportunities for Exceptional Early-Career Scholars
The Klarman Fellowships in the College of Arts & Sciences at Cornell University are among the most selective postdoctoral opportunities in the United States. Designed for early-career scholars of outstanding talent, initiative, and promise, the program offers recipients intellectual freedom and financial independence to pursue innovative, frontier research without being bound to specific grants or teaching duties.
Fellowship Overview
Klarman Fellows may conduct research in any discipline within the College of Arts & Sciences—from natural, quantitative, and social sciences to the humanities, creative arts, and cross-disciplinary fields. Selections are made from a global pool of applicants, with emphasis on:
- Research accomplishments and future potential
- Alignment with a Cornell faculty host in Arts & Sciences
- Contribution to strategic research priorities within the College
The program is made possible by the support of Seth Klarman (’79) and Beth Schultz Klarman, continuing their commitment to advancing scholarship and innovation.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD earned no earlier than 1 May 2024 (for the 2026 cycle).
- Be within two years of their doctoral degree at the fellowship’s start.
- Secure a tenure-track or tenured Cornell Arts & Sciences faculty host (a co-host from any Cornell school is optional).
- Not have received a PhD from Cornell or held a Cornell position longer than six months.
Applicants are also required to provide:
- Three letters of recommendation, one typically from their doctoral advisor.
- A completed faculty sponsorship form by the application deadline.
Fellowship Terms
- Stipend: USD $80,000 annually, plus Cornell benefits
- Research fund: $12,000 annually (with $2,000 allowed for relocation in year one)
- Duration: Up to 3 years (annual reappointment based on progress)
- Start date: Between 1 July – 1 September 2026
- Fellows are expected to be in residence at Cornell, Ithaca, except for fieldwork, research trips, or conferences.
Application Timeline
- Portal opens: 15 August 2025
- Deadline: 15 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. EDT) for all application materials, references, and host sponsorship forms
- Interviews: Early December 2025 (virtual)
- Decisions: Mid-December 2025 to mid-January 2026
- Start of fellowship: 1 July – 1 September 2026
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Klarman Fellows portal. Required documents include:
- Full CV (with publications)
- Research proposal (max. 2 pages, written accessibly for interdisciplinary reviewers)
- Confirmation of Cornell faculty host sponsorship
- Contact details for three references
For full details and the application portal, visit:
👉 Klarman Fellowships – Cornell University
📧 Questions: KlarmanFellows@cornell.edu
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