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Postdoc Awards

Each spring the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) partners with the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) to recognize postdocs who demonstrate excellence in research, service, mentorship, and a commitment to the postdoc community, as well as their mentors who demonstrate a willingness to share expertise and advice, service to the community at large, along with other mentoring activities.

In 2026, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is introducing an expanded and redesigned award structure to elevate postdoctoral recognition. Award recipients will be honored during the Graduate Education Honors Banquet, which will be held in the Student Life Center on March 19 at 5:00 p.m. 

Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. CST on Wednesday, January 28. Award recipients will be notified in late February. 

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will also highlight achievements across the community, including leadership roles, fellowship and grant recipients, and excellence in research. 

Postdoctoral Fellow of the Year Award

Sponsor: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)

Eligibility: All current Vanderbilt-affiliated (VU and VUMC) postdoctoral fellows, scholars and trainees are eligible for nominations.

  • Criteria, Nomination Process and Selection

    Criteria: Nominee must demonstrate excellence in research, scholarship or creative expression as evidenced by one or more of the following:

    • Recent publications, publication contracts, and/or works of creative expression
    • Presentations: papers or posters at local, regional, national or international conferences/meetings
    • Awards and honors: internal and/or external recognition of excellence in research, scholarship or creative expression

    Consideration will also be given to:

    • Service: committees and organizations (internal and/or external), teaching, volunteering, etc.
    • Mentoring within a lab or school, establishing or leading projects and initiatives (internal and/or external)

    Nomination Process and Selection:

    • The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs solicits nominations from faculty in each school.
    • The Postdoctoral Fellows Advisory Committee reviews and votes on all nominations; if needed, the Graduate School leadership will act as additional reviewers.
    • The committee may select honorable mentions in addition to the award winner.

    Nominations close on Wednesday, January 28 at 11:59 P.M. CST. 

Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award

Previously the Faculty Mentor Award

Sponsors: Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) and Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)

Eligibility: Anyone who has served as a mentor to a postdoctoral fellow, scholar or trainee at Vanderbilt in any capacity is eligible for this award.

  • Criteria, Nomination Process and Selection

    Criteria:

    • Willingness to share expertise and advice.
    • Support of the mentee’s current career stage and advancement towards the mentee’s chosen career direction.
    • Service to the community at large, including other mentoring activities.
    • Scholarship within the mentor’s own career: publications, awards, presentations, and honors.

    Nomination Process and Selection:

    • The VPA solicits nominations from all postdocs at Vanderbilt.
    • The VPA Executive Board reviews and votes on all nominations.

    Nominations close on Wednesday, January 28 at 11:59 p.m. CST. 

Postdoctoral Mentorship & Teaching Award

Previously the Postdoc Mentor Award

Sponsors: Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) and Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)

Eligibility:

  • All current Vanderbilt-affiliated (VU and VUMC) postdoctoral fellows, scholars and trainees who have served as mentors and/or teachers are eligible for nominations.
  • Self-nominations and nominations by others are accepted.
  • Formal listing as a course instructor is not required but can be an addition for those without the traditional lab setting. 
  • Criteria, Nomination Process and Selection

    Criteria:

    • Willingness to share expertise and advice.
    • Support of the mentee’s current career stage and advancement towards the mentee’s chosen career direction.
    • Service to the community at large, including other mentoring activities.
    • Scholarship within the mentor’s own career: publications, awards, presentations, and honors.
    • Formal listing as a course instructor is not required but can be an addition for those without the traditional lab setting.

    Nomination Process and Selection:

    • The VPA solicits nominations from members of the Vanderbilt community.
    • The VPA Executive Board reviews and votes on all nominations.

    Nominations close on Wednesday, January 28 at 11:59 P.M. CST. 

Postdoctoral Leadership Award

Previously the Postdoc Service Award

Sponsors: Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) and Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)

Eligibility:

  • The nominee must be a current postdoc at Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
  • Self-nominations and nominations by others are accepted.

Limitation: Each postdoc is eligible to receive the leadership award once during their tenure at Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

  • Criteria, Nomination Process and Selection

    Criteria:

    • Demonstrated sustained leadership skills to foster postdoc experience at Vanderbilt.
    • Demonstrated meaningful contribution in national and international societies relevant to their research field, e.g., moderating sessions at national/international conferences.
    • Engaged in scholarly research activities outside regular lab responsibilities to advance science, e.g., reviewing manuscripts for journals.
    • Service to the community at large, including other leadership activities.

    Nomination Process and Selection:

    • Service activities should be clearly listed on the postdoc’s CV.
    • The VPA solicits nominations from all postdocs at Vanderbilt.
    • The VPA Executive Board reviews and votes on all nominations.

    Limitation: Each postdoc is eligible to receive the service award once during their tenure at Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

    Nominations close on Wednesday, January 28 at 11:59 p.m. CST. 

Postdoctoral Excellence in Innovation Award

New for the 2026 award cycle

Sponsors: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)

Eligibility:

  • The nominee must be a current postdoc at Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
  • Self-nominations and nominations by others are accepted.
  • Criteria, Nomination Process and Selection

    Criteria:

    • Demonstrate significant accomplishments in research, scholarship, and/or creative expression.
    • Specifically, nominees must showcase innovation and/or entrepreneurism in their research pursuits, including:
      • Implementation of novel methodologies or approaches.
      • Application of research outcomes in addressing real-world challenges.
      • Demonstration of creativity and originality in problem-solving.
      • Initiatives in translating research outcomes into entrepreneurial ventures.
      • Development of products, services, or solutions with potential commercial or societal impact.

    Nomination Process and Selection:

    • The OPA solicits nominations from all postdocs  and postdoc faculty mentors at Vanderbilt.
    • A faculty review group reviews and votes on all nominations.

    Nominations close on Wednesday, January 28 at 11:59 p.m. CST. 

Previous Award Winners