Applications

Pre-Doc Application

Penn State’s Child Maltreatment T32 (Training the Next Generation of Child Maltreatment Scholars) is now accepting applications for a two-year T32 predoctoral fellowship for 2026-2028. This fellowship is contingent upon a pending late March 2026 NIH Council meeting confirming the grant renewal. The second year of funding is contingent upon the fellow’s successful performance and completion of the program’s first year. We welcome applications from graduate students in good standing in the Penn State Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Biobehavioral Health, Nursing, Educational Psychology, or Sociology/Criminology departments.

Our predoctoral program is an excellent opportunity for fellows to receive transdisciplinary training in Child Maltreatment Science. Predoctoral fellows take an additional 9 credits of coursework, actively contribute to policy and outreach initiatives, receive additional ethics and research training, and are expected to publish in the area of child maltreatment science. Strong mentorship is available in the areas of Biology and Health, Developmental Processes, Policy and Administrative Data Science, and Prevention and Treatment.

For more information, please see: https://www.solutionsnetwork.psu.edu/t32-grant/t32-grant#t32-grant

Applicants may apply before completing their department’s requirements for the Qualifying exam/Master’s degree, but must have successfully passed their Qualifying exam/Master’s thesis requirements by the start of the fellowship in early Summer 2026. Applications must include (in 1 PDF sent to Brenda Baney, blb41@psu.edu):

• A current CV
• A 3-page, double-spaced written statement of interest indicating why the T32 Fellowship is a good fit for the student, what specifically the student plans to accomplish in the Fellowship, and possible primary and secondary mentors and fit with those mentors (see second page for the mentor list)
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Transcript of graduate grades and planned coursework for the 2026-2027 year
• A writing sample

Applications are due by Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.

After the review of applications, selected applicants will be invited for an interview with T32 faculty, and the final selection will be made and offer letters sent by the end of March 2026, or as soon as possible pending information from the NIH Council meeting. Please send program or application questions to Dr. Hannah Schreier (hms5427@psu.edu) and Dr. Erika Lunkenheimer (ezl5238@psu.edu).

CMT32 2026-27 Predoc Fellowship Application

Post-Doc Application

Penn State’s Child Maltreatment T32 (Training the Next Generation of Child Maltreatment Scholars) is now accepting applications for a two-year T32 postdoctoral fellowship for 2026-2028. This fellowship is contingent upon a pending late March 2026 NIH Council meeting confirming the grant renewal. The second year of funding is contingent upon the fellow’s successful performance and completion of the program’s first year.

Our postdoctoral program is an excellent opportunity for fellows to receive transdisciplinary training in Child Maltreatment Science. Postdoctoral fellows audit two child maltreatment courses, actively contribute to policy and outreach initiatives, receive ethics and grant writing training, and are expected to publish in the area of child maltreatment science. Strong mentorship is available in the areas of Biology and Health, Developmental Processes, Policy and Administrative Data Science, and Prevention and Treatment.

For more information, please see: https://www.solutionsnetwork.psu.edu/t32-grant/t32-grant#t32-grant

Preferred applicants will have a doctorate in a relevant area of study, excellent oral and written communication skills, and experience in conducting research and data analysis on child maltreatment research or related area. Applications must include (in 1 PDF sent to Brenda Baney, blb41@psu.edu):

• A current CV
• A 3-page, double-spaced written statement of interest indicating why the T32 Fellowship is a good fit for the applicant, what specifically the applicant plans to accomplish in the Fellowship, and possible primary and secondary mentors and research/training fit with those mentors (please see second page for the mentor list)
• 2-3 writing samples (typically published, peer-reviewed manuscripts)
• 3 letters of recommendation

Applications are due by Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.

After the review of applications, selected applicants will be invited for an interview with T32 faculty, and the final selection will be made and offer letters sent by the end of March 2026, or as soon as possible pending information from the NIH Council meeting. Please send program or application questions to Dr. Hannah Schreier (hms5427@psu.edu) and Dr. Erika Lunkenheimer (ezl5238@psu.edu).

CMT32 2026-27 Postdoc Fellowship Application