Cornell University is set to expand support for early-career scientists with a $1.5 million grant aimed squarely at postdoctoral researchers.
The funding, awarded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, will support postdocs across four Cornell colleges and strengthen research in the natural sciences.
The grant will reach the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Cornell Engineering. University leaders say the investment will help sustain research momentum at a time when funding pressures continue nationwide.
“Postdoctoral researchers are an essential part of academic science and the knowledge Cornell brings into the world,” said Gary Koretzky ’78, vice provost for research. “They often mentor students and lead projects, helping advance discoveries in areas like quantum materials, genomics and biomedicine – work that will fundamentally transform technologies, medicine and public health.”
Support begins with 10 new positions
Starting in 2026, the grant will fund 10 two-year postdoctoral appointments across multiple disciplines.
Three positions will support astronomy, chemistry and physics in the College of Arts and Sciences. Four will focus on biology, genetics, microbiology and computational biology in Cornell CALS. Cornell Engineering will receive one position centered on artificial intelligence and quantum systems. The Veterinary College will host two appointments in microbiology and immunology and molecular biology.
University leaders say the funding will ease budget strain for current postdocs and help attract new research talent to Cornell.
“This grant is a significant investment in the next generation of scientific leaders,” Koretzky said. “We’re not just advancing individual careers – we’re strengthening the entire ecosystem of discovery that drives innovation and addresses society’s most pressing challenges.”
Career development beyond the lab
The fellowship includes more than salary and research funding.
Postdocs supported by the Moore Foundation will receive leadership training, teaching and grant-writing support, individualized coaching, and networking opportunities. Fellows can also apply for mini-grants and awards and access Cornell’s Careers Beyond Academia program, which helps researchers explore paths outside higher education.
Cornell is one of 30 universities nationwide selected for the Moore Foundation’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Commitment. The foundation, based in Palo Alto, California, was founded in 2000 to support long-term scientific and societal impact.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].