After 17 years with UC Berkeley’s Division of Equity and Inclusion, the program begins a new chapter at UC San Diego.
The University of California’s President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP) has transitioned from UC Berkeley’s Division of Equity and Inclusion to UC San Diego Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs. The change was finalized in Fall 2025, following a joint decision by UC Berkeley’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Office and UC San Diego’s Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor.
Since 2008, PPFP has been proudly housed within UC Berkeley’s Division of Equity and Inclusion, where it has supported hundreds of outstanding postdoctoral scholars whose research, teaching, and leadership advance the research excellence and public service missions of the UC system. Under the leadership of Dr. Mark A. Lawson and Kimberly M. Adkinson, the program has flourished, building partnerships across all UC campuses, expanding mentorship opportunities, and serving as a national model for inclusive academic excellence.
“It has been an honor to host the PPFP at UC Berkeley for the past 17 years,” said Dr. Fabrizio Mejia, UC Berkeley’s interim Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion. “The program has been profoundly impactful, not just for the scholars it serves, but for the entire UC community. We are deeply proud of the role we have played in its growth.”
Transition Timeline
The program officially transitioned to UCSD in late Fall 2025. The move to UC San Diego has been coordinated with great care, with close collaboration between UC Berkeley and UC San Diego leadership and administrative teams. Even after the transition, UC Berkeley will remain available to provide consultation beyond that date to ensure continuity.
History of PPFP at UC Berkeley
PPFP has deep roots at UC Berkeley. The program began on campus in 1978 as the Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship, created to expand opportunities for early-career scholars and promote faculty diversity. Its success led to the program’s systemwide adoption in 1984 as the President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, administered systemwide by the UC Office of the President.
In 2008-09, the UC Office of the President underwent a major restructuring, which recommended transferring certain programs from UCOP to individual campuses. As a result, PPFP returned to its original home at UC Berkeley under the leadership of Sheila O’Rourke from 2009 to 2015. During this period, the program aligned with Proposition 209, encouraged broader campus participation, and began to build a stronger systemwide network of support for fellows.
In 2015, Mark A. Lawson, a former PPFP fellow himself, became director of the program. Under his leadership, the program grew from a small operation supporting fewer than a dozen fellows each year into a robust, collaborative ecosystem engaging all ten UC campuses. With strong support from Berkeley’s Division of Equity and Inclusion (then led by Vice Chancellor Gibor Basri, another former Chancellor’s Fellow), the PPFP expanded its reach, impact, and recognition. The program has grown substantially in both scale and resources, with its budget tripling over time, enabling it to support an ever-larger community of postdoctoral scholars and expand its impact across the UC system.
“UC San Diego is proud to welcome the President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program,” said Dr. Judy E. Kim, Dean of the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs. “Its commitment to advancing excellence aligns perfectly with our mission to support postdoctoral scholars as they grow into future leaders. We’re excited to continue this vital work with Mark and his team and honor the program’s legacy at UC Berkeley.”
"The move to San Diego offers an exciting opportunity to leverage the strengths..." While at Berkeley, PPFP grew to a program of high impact and national influence,” said Dr. Mark A. Lawson. “Berkeley's tradition of excellence and inclusiveness has influenced our approach to postdoctoral training and serves as a foundation for the program's success. I am proud of this legacy and look forward to this new chapter at UC San Diego.
For more information about the President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, visit https://ppfp.ucop.edu/info.