🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
$110,000 USD per year
🗓
Deadline
May (Exact date varies by university nomination cycle)
🔬
Fields
Natural Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Computing, and Medicine
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 25-30 fellows per year
🏛️
Provider
Schmidt Futures in partnership with the Rhodes Trust
The Schmidt Science Fellows program is a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship designed to help the world's best emerging scientists pivot into a different field. It focuses on interdisciplinary science and provides the skills and network to tackle global challenges.
👥 Who Should Apply
Candidates must have a high level of academic achievement in their PhD, demonstrate leadership potential, and have a clear plan to 'pivot' their research into a different field for their postdoc.
🏛️ Host University
Multiple partner universities worldwide (including Harvard, MIT, Oxford, Stanford, etc.)
🤝 Sponsor
Schmidt Futures and Rhodes Trust
🔬 Fields of Study
Natural Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Computing, and Medicine
✨ Key Benefits
Fellows receive a personal stipend of $110,000 per year for up to two years of postdoctoral research. The fellowship includes a bespoke Global Meeting Series for leadership training, one-on-one mentoring, and access to the Rhodes Trust network.
🎯 Target Students
Early-career PhD graduates in STEM
🏷 Tags
STEM
Postdoc
Leadership
Interdisciplinary
Science
Innovation
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
N/A (Fellows are placed in research labs; research costs are typically covered by the host lab)
Living Stipend
$110,000 USD per year
Total Award
$110,000 USD per year
✈️ Travel: Funding provided for Global Meeting Series and placement travel
🏠 Accommodation: Paid from the personal stipend
💊 Health Insurance: Usually provided through the host institution or fellowship stipend
🔄 Renewable: No
💳 App Fee: $0
🎓 Tuition Coverage
N/A (Fellows are placed in research labs; research costs are typically covered by the host lab)
🏠 Living Stipend
$110,000 USD per year
🏡 Accommodation
Paid from the personal stipend
✈️ Travel Allowance
Funding provided for Global Meeting Series and placement travel
💊 Health Insurance
Usually provided through the host institution or fellowship stipend
🎁 Other Benefits
Mentorship from senior scientists, Global Meeting Series (professional development), lifelong community membership
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must be completing or have recently completed a PhD in a STEM field; must be nominated by a partner university.
🎓 Academic Level
Postdoctoral
📊 Minimum GPA
Not explicitly stated; focus is on research excellence and PhD impact
🗣️ English Requirement
High proficiency required for global scientific collaboration
🎂 Age Limit
No strict age limit, but must be at the start of postdoctoral career
💼 Work Experience
Significant research track record during doctoral studies
🏆 Leadership
High (Evidence of potential for scientific leadership is required)
🎯 Target Students
Early-career PhD graduates in STEM
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Research proposal, personal statement, and pivot rationale)
Rec Letters
Yes (Three letters of recommendation)
Interview
Yes (Finalist interviews conducted by a global panel)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Three letters of recommendation) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- High proficiency required for global scientific collaboration
- Interview: Yes (Finalist interviews conducted by a global panel)
- Min GPA: Not explicitly stated; focus is on research excellence and PhD impact
📋 Application Process
Focus heavily on the 'pivot' aspect; explain why moving into a different scientific discipline will enhance your impact. Emphasize how your PhD skills transfer to a new domain.
💡 Insider Tip: Identify potential host labs early and demonstrate a clear understanding of how the fellowship's professional development will benefit your long-term career goals.