{"id":4,"date":"2014-04-21T19:43:03","date_gmt":"2014-04-21T19:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/?page_id=4"},"modified":"2026-02-22T22:59:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T22:59:38","slug":"overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/","title":{"rendered":"Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=&#8221;108&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h2>The Postdoctoral Experience at UGA<\/h2>\n<p>At UGA, the postdoctoral experience emphasizes scholarship and continued research training for individuals who have recently completed a doctoral degree. Postdoctoral scholars conduct research with a faculty mentor and contribute to the academic community by enhancing the research and education programs of the university. Appointment as a postdoctoral scholar with both research and official teaching responsibilities includes a set of duties in formal instruction as Instructor of Record.<\/p>\n<p>Postdoctoral scholars bring expertise and creativity that enrich the research environment of the entire university community. UGA strives to provide a stimulating, positive, and constructive experience by emphasizing the mutual commitment and responsibility of the institution, the faculty, and the postdoctoral scholar.<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h3>The UGA Office of Postdoctoral Affairs<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Office of Postdoctoral Affairs responsibilities include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Review and approval of all postdoctoral scholar appointments at UGA.<\/li>\n<li>Development of <a href=\"https:\/\/policy.uga.edu\/policies\/#\/programs\/ryKna3g8T?q=postdoc&amp;&amp;limit=20&amp;skip=0&amp;bc=true&amp;bcCurrent=Policy%20for%20Postdoctoral%20Appointments&amp;bcItemType=programs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">policies and procedures<\/a> affecting postdoctoral scholars.<\/li>\n<li>Collaboration with the <a href=\"https:\/\/postdocs.uga.edu\/pda\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">University of Georgia Postdoctoral Association (PDA)<\/a> to provide prospective and current postdoctoral scholars with information and resources that will enhance the postdoctoral experience at UGA via the<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/postdocs.uga.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Postdoc Portal<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Resources for UGA Postdocs and Hiring Units<\/h3>\n<p>Prospective and current postdoctoral scholars can visit the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/postdocs.uga.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Postdoc Portal <\/a><\/strong>to find information and resources that will enhance the postdoctoral experience at UGA.<\/p>\n<p><strong>See the Documents &amp; Resources section below for policies, guidelines, forms and other resources for units and postdocs.<br \/>\n<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Documents &amp; Resources<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1497465498809{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #ffeead !important;}&#8221;]PDFs function best when downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat.[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion section_title_tag=&#8221;h3&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; spacing=&#8221;5&#8243; gap=&#8221;5&#8243; active_section=&#8221;999&#8243; no_fill=&#8221;true&#8221; collapsible_all=&#8221;true&#8221; el_class=&#8221;accordionResearch&#8221;][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Forms &amp; Tools&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1494870964300-ff8c4eba-a84b&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/forms\/opa\/Postdoc-Hiring-Proposal-Cover-Form.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Postdoctoral Hiring Proposal Cover Form<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/forms\/opa\/Postdoc-Request-for-Salary-Action.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Request for Salary Action for Postdoc Research Associates<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/forms\/opa\/Postdoc-Offer-Letter-Template-OpenTerm.docx\">Postdoc Offer Letter Template-Open Term<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/forms\/opa\/Postdoc-Offer-Letter-Template-DefinedTerm.docx\">Postdoc Offer Letter Template-Defined Term<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/forms\/opa\/Postdoc-Res&amp;Teaching-Offer-Letter-Template-DefinedTerm.docx\">Postdoc Research and Teaching Offer Letter Template-Defined Term<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/forms\/opa\/Postdoc-Res&amp;Teaching-Offer-Letter-Template-OpenTerm.docx\">Postdoc Research and Teaching Offer Letter Template-Open Term<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/forms\/opa\/Postdoc-Offer-Letter-Fellow.docx\">Template offer letter for Postdoctoral Research Fellows<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/forms\/opa\/Postdoc-Offer-Letter-FellowAdjunct.docx\">Template offer letter for Postdoctoral Research Fellows-StipendNotThruUGA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/forms\/opa\/PostdocEducLeaveRequestForm-ESig.pdf\">Educational and Professional Leave Request for Postdocs Form<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/forms\/opa\/PDContinuationLtrTemplate.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CONTINUATION Postdoctoral Offer Template<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Policies &amp; Guidelines&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1494870964358-26e7ed83-da2c&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/policy.uga.edu\/policies\/#\/programs\/ryKna3g8T?q=postdoc&amp;&amp;limit=20&amp;skip=0&amp;bc=true&amp;bcCurrent=Policy%20for%20Postdoctoral%20Appointments&amp;bcItemType=programs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Policy for Postdoctoral Research Appointments<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/documents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/06\/PostdocUGAJobsApptProcedures.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Processing Postdoctoral Appointments in UGAJobs: A Guide for Unit HR Administrators<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/faqs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Practical Guide to Managing UGA Postdoctoral Positions: Instructions and FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/policies\/opa\/SOP-PostdocEducationalandProfessionalLeave.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Postdoc Educational and Professional Leave for a Postdoc Fellowship SOP<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Postdoctoral Scholar Travel Program&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624280139325-4fdfc1d4-1bb7&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h3><strong>Postdoctoral Scholar Travel Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em><strong>Contact for questions about the program: <a href=\"mailto:opa@uga.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">opa@uga.edu<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0Contact for questions regarding Travel Authorities, reimbursements, expense reports, etc.:<\/strong> Your unit\u2019s Business Office and\/or the link referenced below.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000\"><strong>Description and Eligibility<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>This program provides support for domestic and foreign travel for two purposes: 1) to present active research at national and international conferences as an oral presentation and 2) participation in professional development events, such as formal workshops or training sessions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Award Amounts:<\/strong> Up to $1,500 for domestic travel and up to $2,000 for foreign travel will be provided to those awarded.\n<ul>\n<li>1:1 Matching funds must be identified.<\/li>\n<li>The matching funds may be from the postdoc\u2019s research mentor\/supervisor, unit, college or another travel award or independent grant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Eligibility:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Persons at the University of Georgia officially seated in a Postdoctoral Associate AD, Postdoctoral Associate AC or Postdoctoral Fellow position;<\/li>\n<li>Who have been officially accepted to present research <em><strong>as an oral presentation<\/strong><\/em> at a conference and\/or have registered for a professional training event. <em><em>Only one award per year per postdoctoral scholar allowed. This criteria is based on when the travel occurs. <\/em><strong>Also, only one application per conference per research mentor will be considered.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Deadlines<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Deadlines: 6 deadlines\/fiscal year.\u00a0 Second Tuesdays in January, March, May, July, September and November<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Application Process and Application Materials<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Applications are submitted via <a href=\"https:\/\/uga.infoready4.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UGA\u2019s InfoReady site<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Complete the <strong>Postdoctoral Scholar Travel Program application <\/strong>for the active deadline<strong>. <\/strong>\u00a0The following details are required for submission:\n<ul>\n<li>Name, unit and email address<\/li>\n<li>Title of meeting\/conference\/workshop<\/li>\n<li>Link to conference\/meeting\/workshop webpage<\/li>\n<li>City and Country of meeting\/event<\/li>\n<li>Dates of meeting\/conference\/event<\/li>\n<li>Scope of the meeting\/conference &#8211; International, National or Regional. <em>(Note: &#8220;International&#8221; applies only if the conference or meeting is hosted by an international society and\/or if the meeting is being held outside the U.S.)<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Overall trip budget estimate<\/li>\n<li>Amount requested from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs<\/li>\n<li>Source of 1:1 matching funds<\/li>\n<li>Contact for matching funds<\/li>\n<li>Research mentor\/supervisor information (name and email)<\/li>\n<li>Unit\u2019s Business Manager contact information (name and email)<\/li>\n<li>Departmental ID from the UGA Financial System. <em>(Please contact your unit\u2019s business manager to obtain this ID and to notify him\/her of your potential travel and this application.)<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Role in the meeting\/conference\/event<\/li>\n<li>What was the process by which applicant was invited or the application to attend was accepted (i.e., peer review, auto-acceptance, etc.) For professional training events, enter \u201cRegistration\u201d.<\/li>\n<li>Nature and Quality of meeting\/conference\/event<\/li>\n<li>Significance of the applicant&#8217;s participation. Please describe how your role in the conference\/meeting\/event will benefit your career development and the University of Georgia.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UPLOAD &#8211; Support letter from research mentor\/supervisor.<\/strong> The support letter must include the following:\n<ul>\n<li>Verification of applicant\u2019s role and nature of presentation (e.g., podium presentation, poster, etc.) in the meeting\/conference\/event and the selection\/invitation process.<\/li>\n<li>Verification of the matching funds listed in the application.<\/li>\n<li>Description of the significance of the applicant\u2019s participation in the conference or professional development event to the applicant\u2019s career development and to UGA.<\/li>\n<li>Description of the scope\/quality of the conference or professional training event (international, national or regional meeting, significance of the conference to the discipline, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>UPLOAD &#8211; Documentation of Participation.<\/strong> <strong><em>For presenting at a conference\/meeting:<\/em><\/strong> a copy of invitation (for invited speakers) or <strong>acceptance<\/strong> of your abstract\/presentation. <strong><em>For a professional training event<\/em><\/strong>: copy of your registration.\n<ul>\n<li>The documentation needs to be translated into English if applicable.<\/li>\n<li>Please do not apply to the Postdoc Travel Program if you have not yet been accepted to present at a conference\/meeting or registered for a professional training event.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>UPLOAD &#8211; Curriculum Vitae. <\/strong>Most up-to-date version of CV.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UPLOAD \u2013 For presenting at a conference &#8211; Abstract of research being presented. <\/strong>Abstract of research being presented (or other description of the presentation in the case of a performance).<strong>\u00a0 For professional development event \u2013 Program\/workshop description or training\/class syllabus or schedule.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>UPLOAD &#8211; Itemized travel budget estimate.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Evaluation and Selection Process<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Eligible conferences are formal events where researchers\/scholars present results or give performances.<\/li>\n<li>Professional development events are those where the main goal of participation is to learn new skills and\/or further development skills to helps you grow and succeed in your career path.\u00a0 These can include formal workshops and training programs.\u00a0 Attending conferences as a non-presenting general participant does not qualify as a professional development event.<\/li>\n<li>Requests will be evaluated competitively, with priorities based on (a) the scope of the meeting and (b) the scope of the individual\u2019s participation. For example, international conferences and invited in-session oral presentations will be given priority.<\/li>\n<li>It is important to communicate the merit of your participation to the reviewers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Award Procedures and Conditions &#8211; I have been awarded.\u00a0 Now what do I do?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Claiming funds:\u00a0 The award amount will be transferred to your unit. \u00a0The funds will be Indirect Cost Return (F15000) funds and will be budgeted to the financial Department ID provided in your application. \u00a0You may work with your business office to seek reimbursement for your travel expenses up to the award amount.<\/li>\n<li>Any unused award funds should be returned to the Office of Research.<\/li>\n<li>For UGA Travel Policies and Procedures, please refer to the Finance and Administration Policy and Procedure Library: <a href=\"http:\/\/policies.uga.edu\/Travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/policies.uga.edu\/Travel\/.<\/a> Questions regarding the transfer of budget may be directed to <a href=\"mailto:Nanette.Roberts@uga.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nanette.Roberts@uga.edu<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong><em>What happens if I miss the deadline? <\/em><\/strong>You will be able to submit in the next cycle by the posted deadline once the next cycle\u2019s InfoReady competition form opens.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><strong><em>If I am awarded, what is the process for using the funds for my travel? <\/em><\/strong>See the &#8220;Award Procedures and Conditions&#8221; section of the guidelines. Your award communication will also contain instructions and guidance.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>I have already submitted a Travel Authority for this trip on a different Chart String than the one in my award letter. May I use the existing Travel Authority or must I submit a new one? <\/em><\/strong>You may use an existing Travel Authority as long as it is the same trip. There is no need for a new one.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>I have already received reimbursement from another source. How may I utilize this award? <\/em><\/strong>Contact your unit\u2019s Business Manager about procedures in this instance.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Why was I not funded?\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>The Postdoc Travel Program is a competitive program with limited funds. Applications are reviewed on the caliber of the meeting and the significance of the individual\u2019s participation. Because of the limited funds we are only able to fund a limited number based on the priority scores.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion]<div class=\" vc_custom_1697741589413 ubtn-ctn-center \"><a class=\"ubtn-link ult-adjust-bottom-margin ubtn-center ubtn-custom \" href=\"https:\/\/www.ugajobsearch.com\/postings\/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=postdoc&query_v0_posted_at_date=month&225=&436=&query_position_type_id%5B%5D=any&commit=Search\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" ><button type=\"button\" id=\"ubtn-4188\"  class=\"ubtn ult-adjust-bottom-margin ult-responsive ubtn-custom ubtn-no-hover-bg  none  ubtn-center   tooltip-69e632b726e80\"  data-hover=\"\" data-border-color=\"\" data-bg=\"#ba0c2f\" data-hover-bg=\"#554f47\" data-border-hover=\"\" data-shadow-hover=\"\" data-shadow-click=\"none\" data-shadow=\"\" data-shd-shadow=\"\"  data-ultimate-target='#ubtn-4188'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"desktop:16px;\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  style=\"font-weight:bold;width:px;min-height:px;padding:14px 14px;border:none;background: #ba0c2f;color: #ffffff;\"><span class=\"ubtn-hover\" style=\"background-color:#554f47\"><\/span><span class=\"ubtn-data ubtn-text \" >View UGA Postdoc Position Opportunities<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><div class=\" vc_custom_1667403211927 ubtn-ctn-center \"><a class=\"ubtn-link ult-adjust-bottom-margin ubtn-center ubtn-custom \" href=\"https:\/\/postdocs.uga.edu\/\" ><button type=\"button\" id=\"ubtn-6228\"  class=\"ubtn ult-adjust-bottom-margin ult-responsive ubtn-custom ubtn-no-hover-bg  none  ubtn-center   tooltip-69e632b726f5c\"  data-hover=\"\" data-border-color=\"\" data-bg=\"#ba0c2f\" data-hover-bg=\"#554f47\" data-border-hover=\"\" data-shadow-hover=\"\" data-shadow-click=\"none\" data-shadow=\"\" data-shd-shadow=\"\"  data-ultimate-target='#ubtn-6228'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"desktop:16px;\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  style=\"font-weight:bold;width:px;min-height:px;padding:14px 14px;border:none;background: #ba0c2f;color: #ffffff;\"><span class=\"ubtn-hover\" style=\"background-color:#554f47\"><\/span><span class=\"ubtn-data ubtn-text \" >Visit our Postdoc Portal<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=&#8221;108&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] The Postdoctoral Experience at UGA At UGA, the postdoctoral experience emphasizes scholarship and continued research training for individuals who have recently completed a doctoral degree. Postdoctoral scholars conduct research with a faculty mentor and contribute to the academic community by enhancing the research and education programs of the university. Appointment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-4","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":307,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4\/revisions\/307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/opa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}