The Donnelley Postdoctoral Fellowship supports postdoctoral fellowships for research in biodiversity or a combination of biodiversity with conservation and public policy. The Fellowship was created to honor the memory of Mr. Gaylord Donnelley, Yale Class of 1931, a conservationist dedicated to advances in research and education. The Fellowship, which was established by Mr. Donnelley’s widow Dorothy and son Strachan, is funded by an endowment from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and the Donnelley Family and is administered by the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies (YIBS).
This award is meant for individuals who have been awarded a PhD degree within the past three years (or who soon will be awarded a PhD). Postdoctoral fellows will conduct research in environmental sciences under the mentorship of a Yale faculty member who will provide office/lab space and additional research funds. Annual compensation is $68,500 plus fringe benefits and $10,000 in contingency funds. Note: Yale PhD graduates and individuals already at residence at Yale are not eligible to apply.
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How to Apply
Applications for 2025 are now closed. Applications for 2026 will open early fall.
Deadlines
- Faculty nominations were due Monday, October 20th, 2025.
- Nominee’s application materials were due Monday, November 17th, 2025.
- Awards were announced on Friday, December 12th, 2025. The awardees will begin residency at Yale University at a time negotiated with their respective sponsor, starting on or after July 1st, 2026.
For any questions or concerns regarding the application process, contact: LaToya Sealy Cotto – email: latoya.sealycotto@yale.edu phone: (203) 432-9857
You may also subscribe to the YIBS mailing list to receive updates.