Nominations for the Schmidt Science Fellows program are now open.

UC San Diego will nominate up to 7 applicants to represent the university.  The Schmidt Science Fellows program aims to develop the next generation of science leaders to transcend disciplines, advance discovery, and solve the world’s most pressing problems. Schmidt Science Fellows are expected to be future leaders and should demonstrate a keen interest in harnessing interdisciplinarity and interaction with wider society to accelerate discovery to achieve global impact. Fellows will be supported by the program to undertake a full-time, postdoctoral study for at least one year in a world-leading laboratory in a field different from their existing area of expertise.

The Schmidt Science Fellows Program will hold informational webinars about the program for interested candidates; dates/times and registration details in addition to general information about the Schmidt Science Fellows Program can be found on their website: https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/selection/for-applicants/.

Award Details

• Fellows receive a stipend of $110,000 per year for up to two years of postdoctoral study in a different area from their PhD, at any approved location worldwide.

• Personalized mentoring to help fellows develop as scientific and societal thought leaders.

• A bespoke professional development curriculum delivered across three week-long residential convenings as well as virtual offerings through the organization's Science Leadership Program.

• Have conducted their PhD in the natural sciences (Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Sciences), Engineering, Mathematics, or Computing – and all sub-disciplines therein.

• Candidates must have a keen interest in undertaking an interdisciplinary research pivot during a postdoctoral placement.

• Have completed, or expect to complete, all of the requirements for the conferral of their PhD in one of these fields between May 15, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

• Able to start their Fellowship in July 2026 or October 2026, available from April 2026 to July 2027 to attend virtual onboarding activities, and from October 2026 to attend in-person convenings.

• More about eligibility: https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/selection/eligibility/

Programmatic Fit

• Alignment with the Program – Interest in pursuing 12-24 months of postdoctoral study in a field different from the applicant's PhD discipline and a belief that interdisciplinary science and the taking of appropriate scientific risks are important for the advancement of discovery. 

• Brilliant minds in natural sciences, math, engineering, and computing with a commitment to interdisciplinary science.

• Curious and creative scientists who are interested in broadening their horizons by pivoting away from their PhD research area and pursuing a challenging and rewarding period of study in an alternative research discipline with world-leading scientists.

• Academically excellent, risk-positive, early-career researchers who can demonstrate a commitment to ambitious, high-impact science.

• Future leaders with the potential and character to lead teams and unlock transformative discoveries in the future.

• Talented individuals from a wide range of scientific disciplines who are motivated to increase the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration.

To learn more about the kind of Fellows we are looking for, please visit our website. In particular, we recommend you view theFellow profiles at https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/fellows/

• We encourage our Fellows to take a risk in their Fellowship year and to think deeply about where they may undertake their interdisciplinary pivot.

• More about criteria: https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/selection/criteria/

There is no limit for nominees a department may put forward. Please include the following:

• Letter of nomination from the PI, Chair, or program director, which addresses the criteria stated on the Schmidt Science fellows program announcement and website. 

• Nominee statement of interest in the program, including a likely field of postdoctoral study. (2 page max)

• CV of the nominee.

If your student is selected as an institutional nominee, they will receive a code from GEPA. They will be required to use their code to initiate their application and supply contact details and other preliminary information. An extensive timeline can be found here. 

Nominees 

 Recipients