The Postdoc Fellowship Writing Series presents strategies for planning, drafting, and revising common components of a postdoc fellowship application. Whether you are applying for a federal fellowship, foundation grant, or just want to develop your grant writing skills, this series is for you. Postdocs and senior graduate students from all disciplines are invited to attend individual events or the whole series.
Questions or want to request access the resources from these events? Contact Alyssa Leystra (aleystra@wisc.edu).
2024-25 Series
Getting Started with Fellowship Grant Writing
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 12:00pm-1:30pm. Hector F. DeLuca Biochemistry Building (420 Henry Mall), room 2131.
Develop general strategies for outlining and writing an application that appeals to reviewers. By the end of the session, participants will be prepared to create a writing plan and identify a team to provide support throughout the writing and submission process. This session will be led by Alyssa Leystra, PhD, Associate Director for Skills Development, Office of Postdoctoral Studies, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Alicia Williams, PhD, Science Editor, Morgridge Institute for Research.
Aims, Abstract, and Summary
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 12:00pm-1:30pm. Hector F. DeLuca Biochemistry Building (420 Henry Mall), room 2131.
Discover approaches for making a strong first impression on reviewers with a clear, concise, and persuasive summary of the proposed project.This session will be led by Lawrence (Lonnie) Berger, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research in the Social Sciences, Sheila B. Kamerman and Alfred J. Kahn Professor of Social Policy, Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the School of Social Work, and former Director of the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Training Plan
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 12:00pm-1:30pm. Hector F. DeLuca Biochemistry Building (420 Henry Mall), room 2131.
Explore methods for crafting a compelling biography and training plan. This session will be led by Chad Vezina, PhD, Chair and Professor, Department of Comparative Biosciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Research Plan
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 12:00pm-1:30pm. Hector F. DeLuca Biochemistry Building (420 Henry Mall), room 2131.
Get ready to craft a clear and compelling research narrative. The discussion will include tips for writing about innovation, significance, background, and alternative approaches. This session will be led by Jen Choy, PhD, Assistant Professor in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hongyan Mei, PhD, a postdoc and 2025 Schmidt Science Fellow in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Alyssa Leystra, PhD, Associate Director for Skills Development in the Office of Postdoctoral Studies, University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Additional Application Components
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 12:00pm-1:30pm. Hector F. DeLuca Biochemistry Building (420 Henry Mall), room 2131.
Learn how to draft or acquire some of the most common additional application components, including budgets, letters of support and recommendation, and descriptions of the training and research environment. This session will be led by Alyssa Leystra, PhD, Associate Director for Skills Development in the Office of Postdoctoral Studies, University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Postdoc Fellowship Grant Coaching Groups
Are you planning to write a postdoctoral fellowship grant in the next 3-6 months? Join a faculty-led coaching group, designed to support you through the application process with an evidence-based approach. Work alongside your peers while you adhere to regular writing deadlines, practice thinking like a reviewer, and get actionable advice on how to revise critical components of your application.
The application for the May – July coaching groups has closed. If you are interested in being matched to a group in the future, please fill out the interest form here.
Questions? Contact Alyssa Leystra (aleystra@wisc.edu).