The Hertz Fellowship, run by the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation, funds doctoral students in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics and engineering.
Fellows pursue a full-time, in-person PhD at a US institution, usually one of more than 50 participating universities, and join a lifelong community with a dedicated mentor and partner internships. The 2027 application is open until October 30, 2026; funding begins in fall 2027.
Benefits & funding
- A package valued at up to $250,000: a cost-of-education allowance plus a personal stipend.
- Hertz-only funding: a $38,000 nine-month stipend and full tuition equivalent, renewable annually for up to five years.
- An extra $5,000 a year for fellows with dependent children.
- Combinable with another award (e.g. NSF); Hertz coordinates to maximize total compensation.
- Summers are unfunded, left free for research or internships.
Eligibility
- Citizens or permanent residents of the United States (proof requested at the interview stage).
- A first- or second-year PhD student in fall 2027: typically college seniors, first-year graduate students, or people in a gap year before graduate school.
- Beyond the first PhD year: rare exceptions only, with two extra justifications.
- A full-time, in-person PhD in the applied physical or biological sciences, mathematics or engineering at a US institution; professional degrees (MD, JD, MBA) excluded, except the PhD part of an MD/PhD.
- Work aimed at major, near-term problems facing society, plus a non-binding moral commitment to serve the US in a national emergency.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Eligible nationalities
USA
Residents of USA can also apply.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor · Master Enrolled · Master · PhD Enrolled
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Application process
- 1Complete the online application on the Hertz portal: essays, research experience and transcripts; no research proposal is required.
- 2Register four recommenders, who must complete Hertz’s own evaluation form by November 2 (6 p.m. Pacific); outside letters are not accepted.
- 3Submit by October 30, 2026.
- 4Shortlisted applicants interview on Zoom in December–January; select finalists interview in person in February 2027.
Program timeline
Application deadline
October 30, 2026
Recommender deadline
November 2, 2026
Round 1 interviews (Zoom)
December 2026–January 2027
Round 2 interviews; finalists notified
February 2027
April 2027
Fellows notified; funding starts fall 2027