The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation awarded Cornell a $1.5 million grant to support postdoctoral researchers in key areas of the natural sciences. The funding will reach four colleges across the university, strengthening vital talent pipelines that drive scientific innovation and research.

“Postdoctoral researchers are an essential part of academic science and the knowledge Cornell brings into the world. They often mentor students and lead projects, helping advance discoveries in areas like quantum materials, genomics and biomedicine – work that will fundamentally transform technologies, medicine and public health,” said Gary Koretzky ’78, vice provost for research, who will administer the grant to researchers in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Cornell Engineering.

The Moore Foundation’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Commitment comes as Cornell and universities nationwide navigate ongoing research funding pressures that have strained existing support systems for early-career researchers. This funding will provide budget relief for current Cornell postdoctoral researchers, and it will help attract new research talent to the university.

In 2026, the grant will begin funding 10 two-year postdoctoral appointments: three in astronomy, chemistry and physics in the College of Arts and Sciences; four in biology, genetics, microbiology and computational biology in Cornell CALS; one focused on artificial intelligence and quantum systems in Cornell Engineering; and two in microbiology and immunology and molecular biology in the Veterinary College.

“This grant is a significant investment in the next generation of scientific leaders,” Koretzky said. “We are grateful to the Moore foundation for allowing us to support exceptional postdocs across diverse fields at Cornell. We’re not just advancing individual careers – we’re strengthening the entire ecosystem of discovery that drives innovation and addresses society’s most pressing challenges.”

In addition to compensation and research support, Moore Foundation fellows will receive comprehensive professional and career development opportunities, including leadership training, teaching and grant writing support; individualized coaching; networking and opportunities to apply for resources such as mini-grants and awards. Fellows will also have access to Careers Beyond Academia, a Cornell program that helps graduate students and postdoctoral researchers explore careers beyond higher education.

A longtime partner and grant recipient of the Foundation’s Science Program, Cornell is one of 30 U.S. universities to receive funding through the Postdoctoral Fellowship Commitment. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, based in Palo Alto, California, was founded by Gordon and Betty Moore in 2000 to create positive outcomes for future generations.

Kaitlyn Ruhf is associate director of campaign communication for Alumni Affairs and Development.