Schmidt Science Fellows is an annual postdoctoral fellowship initiated by Schmidt Sciences and delivered in partnership with the Rhodes Trust. It supports nominated late-stage PhD candidates in eligible science and technology fields who plan to pivot into a different discipline.
Fellows pursue an approved research placement in a world-class environment and take part in mentoring and science-leadership development. Applications for the 2027 cohort closed on July 13, 2026.
Benefits & funding
- A stipend of USD 110,000 per year for personal and living costs during a 12–24-month research placement.
- Funding beyond the first year depends on remaining in good standing and maintaining a commitment to interdisciplinary research.
- One-to-one mentoring from the Academic Council and participation in the Science Leadership Program.
- Membership in a lifelong interdisciplinary science community.
Eligibility
- The candidate must be nominated by the PhD-awarding institution, which must be a Schmidt Science Fellows nominating partner organization.
- The candidate must be studying for a PhD in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computing.
- All requirements for conferral of the PhD, including a successful defense, must be completed between May 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 for the 2027 cohort.
- The official eligibility criteria state no nationality, residency, age, gender, or work-experience requirement.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
PhD Enrolled
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Contact the institution’s nomination coordinator and complete its internal nomination process.
- 2If nominated, access the application portal and submit preliminary information.
- 3Submit the full application, including academic history, transcripts, a CV, relevant publications, recommendation letters, a personal statement, a PhD research description, and a future research proposal.
- 4Applications proceed through discipline-specific academic review; shortlisted finalists attend an online panel interview.
Program timeline
Institution-specific
Internal nomination deadline for PhD students
Institutional nominations due
May 15, 2026
Application portal opened
May 19, 2026
Preliminary information due
June 1, 2026
Full application deadline
July 13, 2026 at 17:00 GMT+1
Academic review and finalist shortlisting
August–November 2026
Final online interviews
January 22–23, 2027
Decisions and fellowship offers
February–March 2027
Cohort announcement
April 2027
Fellowship placements begin
July or October 2027