Our key criterion is promise for a productive research career.  We look for past productivity (the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior), so we look both at the number of publications and the quality of the journal (as well as the quality of the paper).  We also evaluate this based on letters of recommendations (for example, some applicants have few publications but their faculty letters explain if there are external reasons for this).  We also look for the faculty’s evaluation of the applicant.  We look carefully at their statement of interest which can tell us something about the quality of their thinking and their ability to convey their plans concisely in writing, and finally we consider the fit between what they want and what we can offer.

Clinical experience is not part of the program (it is research-focused), but fellows can get supervised research experience as part of the program and can also arrange clinical work separately (as long as it doesn’t interfere with the postdoc). Our fellows have been able to accrue hours for licensure. Some of the research hours count toward licensure if they are done under the appropriate supervision, and you can also arrange some clinical time in addition. Let me know if you need more information before you complete the application. Otherwise, we can explore this in more detail later on since we conduct interviews with our top candidates and will be in touch in early February.

There is some flexibility in state date.  Most appointments are made in September.  If applicant has a time constraint, he/she should note this in the application.  Shouldn’t be a deterrent to application process.  Requirement is they need to be here at the first seminar, usually first or second Tuesday in September.

No fellow may receive more than 3 years of aggregate NRSA support at the postdoctoral level (5 years for predoc). So he could still apply.

No fellow may receive more than 5 years of aggregate Kirschstein-NRSA support at the predoctoral level and 3 years of aggregate Kirschstein-NRSA support at the postdoctoral level, including any combination of Kirschstein-NRSA support from institutional research training grants and individual fellowships.  (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/nihgps/index.htm)

The basic rules at NIH are that an eligible Postdoctoral trainee can receive a maximum of 3 years of support from any combination of a T32 and an F32 Award.  A pre-doc can receive up to 5 years of support from either a T31 or an F31 award.  So, a person could receive a total of 8 years of federal, NRSA funding.  5 years as a pre-doc and 3 years as a post-doc.  Exceptions can be given by NIH, but only for very good reasons.

You need to get confirmation of the number of months they have already had (or are committed to) from either a T32 or an F32 award.  You might want to ask for a copy of the person’s appointment & termination documents before committing your grant to an exact number of months.  Whatever combination of various awards, the total time period for a post-doc on a trainee stipend can be a maximum of 36 months duration.

The dean of the graduate school does not sign such letters as it is our office, Academic Records & Dissertations that certifies if degrees are going to be awarded.

The reason UCSF requires a signature from a Dean or Assistant Dean (or other administrative titles at this level) of your institution is we have to have an official document on institution letterhead with authorization from the administration of your institution verifying you have meet all requirements for and have received the degree of Ph.D. - this is an NIH (funder) as well as a UCSF requirement.

The Director of Clinical Training or Department head does not meet the requirement of Dean or Assistant Dean.  I would suggest you work with the graduate division at your university or a similar department.

We don't have a strict limit on length of time since degree.  It can be an issue of funding since funding levels are tied to years since degree, so it will depend on what levels our fellows will be coming in for.

Yes, those with those degrees are eligible, and may apply.

In the past, postdocs who have been accepted in the program have had PhDs in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Clinical and Biological/Health Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology

The fellowship is competitive for the two stipends, so we review applicants as a group. However, it does help you to have one of our faculty specifically in mind.

Yes, you should apply. We have a preference for someone who will start in September, but if there's an outstanding candidate, we would consider a later start.

The postdoctoral program is primarily for those with strong research background and some expertise in psychology. The latter issue is less important if someone has demonstrated research expertise. For example our last post-doc cohorts had an average of 8 publications of empirical papers in top journals.

You are welcome to send us your CV if you think you still might be appropriate for this fellowship and our key faculty can give you candid feedback. If you don't have a track record of publishing empirical papers then I think a different fellowship would be appropriate.