Supporting our faculty is an important part of the work we do at Postdoctoral Affairs to create a supportive and productive environment for postdocs across Boston University.
Faculty looking to appoint postdocs in their research group can refer to this page.
Postdoctoral Classifications
University Funding
Postdoctoral scholars compensated through Boston University funding sources (grants, departmental funds) are considered University employees and should be appointed as postdoctoral associates.
Grant Funding
Postdoctoral scholars at Boston University who are compensated through NIH T32s, F32s, TL grants or through a combination of grant funding and University funding sources are considered postdoctoral associates NRSA.
External Fellowships
Postdoctoral scholars at Boston University who are compensated entirely through external fellowships are considered postdoctoral fellows.
Grant Support
There are many categories of National Institutes of Health (NIH) or National Science Foundation (NSF) proposals that now require descriptions of programs or mentoring practices that support our postdocs. We are happy to support faculty proposal preparation through individual consultations, reviewing proposal drafts, or writing letters of support.
Due to high volumes around common grant deadlines, please be advised that requests should be made at least two weeks prior to the grant submission deadline. Requests can be made through email to postdocs@bu.edu.
Mentoring plans
Mentoring plans should explain how the faculty member and postdoctoral scholar will set goals for development during the postdoctoral period, the types of activities to achieve these goals, and the process for evaluating progress. View our Sample Mentoring Plan or check out our workshop on Developing Your Mentoring Plan to learn more.
Faculty are discouraged from using boilerplate language for their mentoring plan; this document should be tailored to reflect the resources available at Boston University and within their research groups (or the wider groups if part of a collaborative proposal). Below are resources to inform your writing. If you would like to set up a consultation or have your mentoring plan reviewed, you can reach out to us at postdocs@bu.edu.
Letters of support
Postdoctoral Affairs routinely provides letters of support to proposals that need to describe resources for postdoctoral scholars in detail. We can either amend our standard letter of support with the details of your training program or collaborate on a specific letter that directly supports your program’s goals.
Other proposal requirements – NIH T32
NIH training programs are moving toward trainee-centered outcomes rather than environment-based outcomes, meaning that programs must integrate elements of professional development, career exploration, and program evaluation. Postdoctoral Affairs can help new or existing T32 programs develop trainee-centered learning outcomes and identify the resources needed to support them.