We are pleased to announce the launch of Limited Submission – Schmidt Science Fellows 2026. Click on the link below to view more information. Thank you!
 

• Internal Submission Deadline: Sunday, April 13, 2025
• Cycle: 2026
• Discipline/Subject Area: PhD Students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
• Description:

  Limited Submission Funding Opportunity
  from the Offices of Research and Foundation Relations

  Internal Deadline: April 13, 2025, 11:59PM PST
  Funder: Schmidt Sciences
  Program: Schmidt Science Fellows

  UCSC Contacts:
  Samantha Forde |FR| forde@ucsc.edu
  Molly McCarthy |OR| moamccar@ucsc.edu

  Award Amount: $110,000/year

  Overview
  UC Santa Cruz has been invited to nominate up to 2 of our top PhD students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to the Schmidt Science Fellows program. The Schmidt Science Fellowship enables the world’s best emerging scientists to pivot from their PhD discipline and pursue their goals through bold interdisciplinary research. The campus is inviting faculty to nominate PhD students who fit the program goals and guidelines below.

  Eligibility

  • Candidates must be studying for a PhD in natural sciences (astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences), engineering, mathematics, or computing.
  • Candidates applying for the 2026 cohort must complete all the requirements for the conferral of their PhD, including a successful defense, between May 15, 2025 and June 30, 2026.
  • Candidates must be nominated by the PhD awarding institution.

  Candidates should be:

  • Curious and creative scientists interested in making a genuine move to intensive study in a discipline different to their PhD.
  • Academically excellent researchers who 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 interdisciplinary collaboration.

  Award Amount & Terms

  • Fellowship Research Placements can be from 12 to 24 months long. Placement destinations are developed and agreed upon by each Fellow after selection, with support from Schmidt academic council mentors and the program team.
  • Each Fellow receives a stipend of $110,000 a year to support their personal and living costs.

  To Apply
  Faculty should nominate the PhD candidate to the internal campus competition via InfoReady. Select “Nominate” from the menu on the right-hand side, complete the application form, and upload the following documents:

  1. A nomination letter from the applicant’s advisor, which should describe firsthand knowledge of their ability to do creative research. (2-page maximum, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, single spaced). Please consider:
     1. Intellect
        • Extraordinary achievement: clear record of academic achievement of the highest quality in the sciences and an extraordinary degree of intelligence.
        • Scientific curiosity: high degree of intellectual curiosity, combined with energy and creativity; a record of continuous innovation and/or use of new technologies.
     2. 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 risk are important for the advancement of discovery.
        • Collaborative spirit: history of effective collaboration with diverse team members.
     3. Leadership
        • Global ambition for social good: desire to use one’s personal talents to make a difference in society and the world.
        • Character and Leadership: genuine and demonstrable potential for science leadership; displaying perseverance, resilience, and a moral compass.
  2. A summary of proposed research that outlines the general goals, states why the research is innovative, interdisciplinary and high risk-high reward. (2-page maximum, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, single spaced). Note that these applications do not need to be confidential, so this information can be provided by the applicant.
  3. Curriculum vitae of the applicant.

  Timeline
  Campus Nomination Process
  April 13, 2025, 11:59PM PST Internal applications due in Infoready
  May 9, 2025 Two campus candidates selected
  May 19, 2025 Campus deadline for submitting nominees

  Application Process
  July 14, 2025 Application deadline
  August – February 2026 Review of applications
  March 2026 Cohort selection
  July – October 2026 Fellowship research placements start

  Special Instructions
  For support developing materials, please contact the Research Development Specialist assigned to your unit or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu.