Schmidt Science Fellows – Who Can Apply

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schmidtsciencefellows.org·schmidtsciencefellows.org/selection/who-can-apply/

This page describes eligibility criteria for Schmidt Science Fellows, a postdoctoral fellowship supporting interdisciplinary STEM research. It is tangentially relevant to AI safety as it funds researchers in computing and engineering who may work on AI-related topics.

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Summary

This page outlines the eligibility requirements and selection criteria for the Schmidt Science Fellows program, a postdoctoral fellowship for PhD graduates in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, and computing. Candidates must be nominated by a partner institution and demonstrate interdisciplinary ambition, intellectual achievement, and leadership potential. The program explicitly excludes social science and economics applicants.

Key Points

•Applicants must hold a PhD in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computing from a nominating partner institution.
•PhD must be conferred between May 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 for the 2027 cohort.
•Selection criteria include intellectual achievement, curiosity, interdisciplinary pivot readiness, collaboration, leadership, and societal impact awareness.
•Clinical MD-PhD, veterinary-PhD, and social/political science or economics applicants are typically ineligible.
•The fellowship emphasizes interdisciplinary pivots beyond the candidate's PhD discipline.

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Selection

 
 
 Who Can Apply 

 How to Apply 

 For Applicants 

 For Nominating Partners 

 Resources 

 FAQ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Who Can Apply

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 We are seeking brilliant minds in natural sciences, math, engineering, and computing with a commitment to interdisciplinary science.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 We look for a broad range of characteristics in Schmidt Science Fellows – from scientific curiosity and collaborative spirit to a restless ambition to make a difference, all underpinned by a commitment to interdisciplinarity. This short film shares perspectives from our Fellowship community on what makes the Program and our Fellows different, and highlights some of the characteristics we look for in candidates.

 
 
 
 
 Learn About the Program 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Intellectual Achievement

 Sustained evidence of academic scholarship in science and technology, demonstrating an exceptional intellectual ability.

 Curiosity

 Demonstrated intellectual exploration, creativity, and openness to new ideas, methods, or technologies.

 Interdisciplinary Pivot

 Clear readiness and motivation to move beyond the PhD discipline, supported by evidence of interdisciplinary thinking, learning agility, and comfort with scientific risk.

 Collaboration

 Evidence of effective collaboration across diverse teams, including behaviors that build trust, cohesion, and shared purpose.

 Character and Leadership Potential

 Early indicators of future scientific leadership appropriate to career stage, such as initiative, perseverance, humility, and positive influence.

 Scientific and Societal Impact and Awareness

 Demonstrated understanding of the role of both fundamental and applied sciences in advancing knowledge and society.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Eligibility

 
 
 
 
 
 
 To be eligible to apply to Schmidt Science Fellows 2027, you must:

 
 Be nominated by your PhD awarding institution, which must be one of our nominating partner organizations.

 Be studying for a PhD in natural sciences (astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences), engineering, mathematics, or computing.

 Complete all the requirements for the conferral of your PhD, including a successful defense, between May 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 .

 
 Please note that the following applicants are typically not eligible for this program. However, we recognize that individual circumstances may vary, so if you are uncertain about your eligibility, please contact us to discuss your specific situation.

 
 Individuals on clinical track MD‑PhD or veterinary‑PhD programs.

 PhD students in social and political science or economics.

 Applications proposing a pivot into social or political science, or economics.

 
 Please refer to the list of Nominating Partner Organizations to check if your PhD awarding institution is included and to find contact details. If your institution or contact information is not listed, please contact nominations@schmidtsciencefello

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