Schmidt Science Fellows Program 2027 — Fully Funded Postdoctoral Fellowship ($110,000/Year)

The Schmidt Science Fellows program has announced its 2027 Call for Applications, inviting PhD graduates in science and engineering fields to apply for a fully funded interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellowship. The prestigious international fellowship supports early-career researchers who want to move beyond their original PhD specialization and pursue bold cross-disciplinary research with global mentors and leading institutions.

About the Fellowship

The Schmidt Science Fellows initiative is designed for outstanding PhD graduates who aim to expand their expertise into a new scientific discipline. Instead of continuing in the same narrow research track, fellows are encouraged to “pivot” into another field — for example, a physicist moving into biology, an engineer into climate science, or a mathematician into medical research.

The program focuses on building future scientific leaders, not just researchers. Selected fellows join a worldwide community of scientists, innovators, and industry experts and receive leadership training alongside research support.

Funding & Benefits

Selected fellows receive a highly competitive support package:

• $110,000 per year stipend

• Funding for up to 2 years of postdoctoral research

• Placement at leading research laboratories worldwide

• Dedicated mentorship from top scientists

• Science leadership and professional development training

• Membership in a lifelong global fellows network

This makes it one of the most generous early-career science fellowships currently available internationally.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold (or complete) a PhD in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computing

• Complete all PhD requirements between May 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027

• Be nominated by their PhD-granting institution

• Be willing to pursue research in a different discipline than their doctoral specialization

• Be available to start the fellowship in July or October 2027

Key Dates

• Institutional nomination deadline: May 15, 2026

• Application opens: May 19, 2026

• Preliminary materials due: June 1, 2026

• Final application deadline: July 13, 2026

Why This Fellowship Matters

Unlike typical postdoctoral positions, Schmidt Science Fellows specifically rewards intellectual flexibility. The goal is to create scientists capable of solving large global challenges — such as climate change, public health, AI safety, and sustainable technologies — by combining knowledge across multiple disciplines.

For PhD students nearing graduation, this fellowship is especially valuable because it allows a career reset into a new research area without losing funding or mentorship support.

Official Notification

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