Program Overview
The HSRU Postdoctoral Fellowship Cohort Program is a competitive, one-year professional development and networking experience that prepares postdoctoral scholars for successful tenure-track faculty careers at research-intensive Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Through a structured, cohort-based model, the program supports emerging scholars as they strengthen their research portfolios, refine their teaching practice, expand their professional networks, and develop the leadership skills needed to thrive within the HSI landscape.
Fellows engage in a multi-institutional learning community that brings together postdoctoral scholars, faculty leaders, and institutional partners from across the Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU) network. By participating in sustained professional development activities, peer-to-peer engagement, and comprehensive mentorship, fellows gain valuable insight into the expectations, opportunities, and impact of faculty careers at research-intensive HSIs.
The Fellowship Experience
Throughout the year, fellows participate in a comprehensive suite of professional development activities curated to support their transition into faculty careers, including:
- Cohort-based professional development sessions centered on the program's four core pillars
- Elective workshops addressing emerging topics and career development needs
- Monthly virtual coffee chats that foster peer connection and community building
- Institutional site visits that provide exposure to faculty roles, campus culture, and leadership perspectives across HSRU member institutions
- Opportunities to present research and engage with academic leaders at the annual HSRU convening
- Ongoing networking with fellow postdoctoral scholars, professional mentors, and institutional representatives from across the HSRU consortium
Institutional Partnership Model
A distinctive feature of the HSRU Postdoctoral Fellowship Cohort Program is its emphasis on institutional partnership and mentorship. Each fellow is supported not only by their home institution but also through engagement with a broader network of faculty and administrators across the HSRU ecosystem. Participating institutions provide mentorship support, protected time for program participation, access to professional development resources, and guidance from designated Senior Faculty Program Liaisons who help connect fellows to institutional knowledge and career pathways.
The Value of the HSRU Network
As part of the HSRU network, fellows gain access to a diverse community of scholars and academic leaders committed to advancing research excellence and student success at Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The program creates opportunities for meaningful cross-institutional collaboration, professional visibility, and career exploration while helping fellows develop a deeper understanding of the unique strengths, missions, and opportunities present across research-intensive HSIs.
Eligibility and Institutional Support
Application details for the 2027-2028 Cohort will be available in December 2026! Please check back for more information.
The program is open to current postdoctoral scholars at HSRU institutions who are formally nominated through an
internal process, have at least one year remaining in their appointment, intend to pursue tenure-track roles at research intensive
HSIs, and demonstrate strong potential in research, teaching, and service. Fellows are supported by their home
institutions through formal mentorship plans, protected time for participation, senior faculty liaisons, travel funding for
key events, and opportunities to engage with campus leadership and share their research across institutions.
Participating Institutions for Cohort II (2026-2027)
CUNY Graduate School
New Mexico State University
San Diego State University
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at San Antonio
University of Arizona
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Merced
University of California, Riverside
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of New Mexico
University of North Texas
