What kinds of fellowships are offered?

We offer industry-sponsored fellowships in drug development and clinical research, and in pharmacokinetics/pharmacodymanics. Academic fellowships are offered in heart failure, oncology, and HIV pharmacology. For details on each program, click here.

How long is a fellowship appointment?

Fellows are appointed for two years. A third year of appointment to the oncology or HIV Pharmacology fellowships may be possible.

How many fellows are in the program?

On average, fifteen fellows are serving appointments in any given year. Since the fellowship programs began over thirty years ago, more than one hundred fifty fellows have completed training.

What opportunities are available upon completion of a fellowship?

Fellows go on to work in a range of professional areas, including academia, industry, and governmental regulatory agencies, including the NIH and FDA. A number of industry-sponsored fellows have been offered employment by sponsors upon completion of their fellowships, but this is not guaranteed.

What are the requirements for application? Can I apply without a PharmD?

You may apply for a fellowship while you are still a student, but appointment is predicated on completion of your advanced degree from an accredited program. Ideal fellowship candidates will hold a PharmD, MD, or PhD from a U.S. institution. Residency training is preferred but not required, with one exception: the HIV Pharmacology Fellowship does require a residency.

Will someone from UNC be available at the ACCP annual or the ASHP Midyear meetings?

Potential applicants are encouraged to attend the ACCP annual or the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting to meet with UNC faculty, fellows, alumni, and sponsors to discuss the fellowship programs in detail. Find out more about ACCP and ASHP Midyear. We encourage you to review the benefits of registering for the Midyear Personnel Placement Service.

Can I apply to an industry-sponsored fellowship with a specific company?

Your application should be to a type of fellowship, not to a particular company. For example, if you wish to focus on drug development and clinical research, your application will be reviewed by UNC and by the companies that sponsor drug-development fellowships. If you are offered a fellowship, we will notify you to which company you will be appointed and where you will spend the second year of your fellowship.

How do I apply, and what happens after I submit my application?

See the How to Apply page for details. The deadline is January 1.

Will I have to move to North Carolina?

Yes. In addition, the Quintiles-sponsored PK-PD fellowship requires relocation to the company’s Orchard Park, Kansas, facility during the second year of appointment.

What stipend and benefits are offered?

Compensation is competitive with other training programs and is usually above NIH postdoctoral compensation guidelines. Appointments include funds for travel to one or two scientific meetings per year, health insurance, vacation and sick leave, and the option to enroll in additional UNC benefit programs. For more information on benefits, visit the UNC Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (http://postdocs.unc.edu)

Who would I be working for, UNC or the fellowship sponsor?

All fellows are UNC employees throughout their appointments. Fellows are required to abide by UNC and their sponsors’ confidentiality and employee-policy rules.

I’m an international scholar. Can I still apply?

International scholars may apply, but preference in appointment will be granted to applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. We do not offer sponsorship of an H-1B visa in the event an international scholar is appointed. Our fellowships are training programs, and therefore we consider the J-1 to be the appropriate visa for international scholars.

Still have questions?

Contact fellowships@unc.edu with any other questions.