Hertz Fellowship

About this scholarship

The Hertz Fellowship is one of the most prestigious and generous awards for doctoral students in the applied sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the United States, offering both financial support and a lifelong professional community. It provides up to five years of funding valued at up to US$250,000, covering a stipend and tuition through a standard agreement (a nine-month stipend model) coordinated with the graduate schools at participating institutions — giving fellows unusual freedom to pursue high-risk, high-reward research. Eligibility is specific: applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are college seniors, first-year graduate students, or in a gap period preparing to apply, and who intend to pursue a full-time, in-person PhD in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering at a U.S. institution. Crucially, the foundation funds PhDs only — not standalone professional degrees such as an MD, JD, MBA, DPH, or DVM — and seeks candidates who will direct their work toward solving major, near-term problems facing society. The 2027 application opens in late August 2026 and closes in late October, followed by competitive first- and second-round interviews.

Eligibility

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Be a college senior, first-year graduate student, or in a gap period preparing to apply
• Intend a full-time, in-person PhD in applied physical/biological sciences, math, or engineering in the US
• Aim to address major, near-term problems facing society
• Not be pursuing a standalone professional degree (MD/JD/MBA/DPH/DVM)