Stanford Science Fellows is a Stanford University postdoctoral program for early-career scientists pursuing their own foundational research in the physical, mathematical and life sciences.
Fellows are appointed as postdoctoral scholars on the Stanford campus for three years, join one or more faculty research groups across four participating schools or SLAC, and take part in mentoring, community and science-communication activities.
Benefits & funding
- Annual stipend of US$98,000 plus Stanford postdoc benefits, for a three-year term.
- Up to US$10,000 a year for research and professional development.
- Up to US$2,500 for relocation; child care grants and visa expense help for eligible fellows.
- Fellows must join program activities and file annual progress reports.
Eligibility
- Open to all nationalities; international fellows generally must qualify for a J-1 visa (an F-1 extension in some cases), and H-1B holders are ineligible.
- PhD awarded within three years of the start date (a PhD before July 1, 2024 is too early); graduating doctoral students may apply if the degree is conferred by the start.
- At most two years of prior postdoctoral experience elsewhere.
- Fundamental natural-science research only; social-science and applied projects are ineligible.
- No paid or unpaid Stanford affiliation during selection; current Stanford PhD students and postdocs cannot apply.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
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Application process
- 1Submit a CV, cover letter, two-page career statement and two-page research statement on Academic Jobs Online by October 16, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT.
- 2Arrange three recommendation letters (four at most), ideally one from your PhD advisor; late letters may go unread.
- 3Secure a Stanford faculty host: no award is made until one agrees.
- 4Shortlisted candidates have a Zoom interview with a faculty panel, mostly in early December.
Program timeline
Application deadline (11:59 p.m. EDT)
October 16, 2026
Most Zoom interviews
Early December 2026
Selection process ends
End of February 2027
July 1, 2027
Earliest start (typically September 1)
Typical end of term
August 31, 2030