Financial Assistance Programs for Postdoctoral Scholars
Hardship Fund for Postdoctoral Scholars
The Financial Hardship Fund offers financial assistance to postdoctoral scholars to help offset the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area. The purpose of this program is to provide assistance to postdocs most impacted by the Bay Area living costs.
The fund offers grants of up to $5,000 (subject to fund availability) per household per academic year (September 1 to August 31) to postdoctoral scholars who meet the eligibility criteria. Each case is considered on its own merit and the applicant’s income and assets are evaluated to determine the grant amount.
Emergency Grant-In-Aid Funds (for Unexpected Expenses) for Postdoctoral Scholars
Emergency Grant-in-Aid Funds assist postdoctoral scholars who experience a financial emergency or unanticipated expenses, e.g., medical, dental, or legal (note: the fund does not cover visa costs), causing financial hardship for themselves or their dependents. This program is designed to assist those who cannot reasonably resolve their financial difficulty through fellowships or loans.
Emergency Grant-in-Aid awards are grants that reimburse actual expenses. These awards are not a loan, and do not need to be repaid. Emergency Grant-in-Aid awards are taxable. The program reimburses postdocs for actual paid expenses up to $5,000 per academic year (September 1 to August 31).