VAI Inspire Fellowship

Van Andel Institute (VAI), a world-class biomedical research institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to improving human health. We are pioneers in the fight against cancer, Parkinson's, and other diseases. We are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and educators.

Van Andel Institute's Inspire Fellowship supports exceptional postdoctoral fellows by reducing barriers, fostering community, and providing the resources and personalized mentorship needed for an outstanding training experience. We are committed to ensuring fellows have a firm foundation from which to launch their independent research careers - and to make a world of difference.

Learn more here.

The Inspire Fellowship accepts applications once per year. The next deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET, April 10, 2026.

Who is eligible to apply for the VAI Inspire Fellowship?

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Applicants must be current graduate students who anticipate beginning a postdoctoral fellowship at VAI within the next year or current VAI postdocs who have no more than one year of postdoc experience (at VAI or elsewhere).
• Receipt of the Inspire Fellowship is contingent on an offer of employment for a postdoctoral position in a VAI lab.

What application materials should I prepare?

Prior to starting the application, please prepare the following required materials:

• CV
• One reference letter
• Please prepare a personal statement of no more than three pages to tell us about:
  How your unique life experiences, challenges, interests, values and characteristics will contribute to the vibrant, diverse workplace that VAI values as described in the following statement.

Van Andel Institute believes that its strength lies in the diversity of its people and the inclusive environment it fosters. The Institute is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to reach their full potential. VAI recognizes that diversity encompasses a wide range of visible and invisible differences. It believes embracing these differences leads to innovation, better decision making and a more vibrant workplace culture.

• Your goals for your postdoctoral training, your scientific background, and why you are interested in VAI and the Inspire Fellowship program. You also may include any personal information you feel is relevant to the evaluation of your application.
• A list of VAI faculty members with whom you are interested working. If you have already spoken with a VAI faculty member about joining their lab or applied for one of our open postdoc positions, there will be space to indicate this on the application. Corresponding with a VAI faculty member prior to applying for the Inspire Fellowship is encouraged but not required.

Additional Information

Following submission of your materials, staff will contact you to schedule a 30-minute Zoom interview with the selection committee.

Applications for VAI postdoc positions and the Inspire Fellowship are separate. Receipt of the Inspire Fellowship is contingent on an offer of employment for a postdoc position in a VAI lab. We encourage Inspire applicants to apply to open postdoctoral positions of interest and/or contact faculty mentors of interest directly via email after submitting the Inspire Fellowship application. The typical start date for Inspire Fellowship funding is Dec.

1, of the year in which the award is made.

Questions are welcome! Please contact Dr. Kelsey Carpenter, program director of VAI's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Director of the Inspire Fellowship program, at opa

About Van Andel Institute

Established in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1996 by the Van Andel family, VAI is now home to nearly 500 scientists, educators and support staff, who work with national and international collaborators to foster discovery. The Institute's scientists study the origins of cancer, Parkinson's and other diseases and translate their findings into breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies. Our educators develop inquiry-based approaches for K-12 education to help students and teachers prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, while our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program in molecular and cellular biology.

VAI is committed to excellence through broad participation and diverse perspectives. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who share our passion for innovation and collaboration.

Van Andel Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer.

As Van Andel Institute is a drug free employer, all prospective new employees undergo a urinalysis/drug test as part of our pre-employment process. This is a 7-panel drug screen and it includes testing for Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates, PCP, Barbiturates, and Benzodiazepines.

About Grand Rapids, MI

Van Andel Institute is in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan in the center of the…