Hertz Fellowship Opening Soon
Offered by Fannie and John Hertz Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Hertz Fellowship, awarded by the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation, is among the most valuable private doctoral awards in the country, providing up to five years of funding valued at up to $250,000 for Ph.D. students in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Beyond the funding, fellows join a lifelong community with mentorship and career support from a network of leading scientists and technologists.
Applicants are typically college seniors, first-year graduate students, or individuals in a gap year preparing to apply to graduate school, who intend to pursue a Ph.D. in an eligible field. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The 2027 fellowship application opens August 31, 2026, through the foundation's online portal and closes in late October 2026. The selection process is famously rigorous, featuring two rounds of technical interviews that probe how applicants think through problems.
Eligibility
- College senior, first-year graduate student, or gap-year applicant preparing for a Ph.D.
- Intending to pursue a Ph.D. in applied physical or biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Study at one of the foundation's eligible U.S. graduate institutions
How To Apply
- Complete the online application at fellowship.hertzfoundation.org/apply after it opens August 31, 2026, including essays, transcripts, and references, before the late-October deadline
- Selected applicants complete two rounds of interviews in winter
- Awards are announced in spring 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hertz Fellowship worth?
Up to five years of doctoral funding valued at up to $250,000, plus mentorship and access to the Hertz community of fellows throughout your career.
Can I apply if I am already in graduate school?
Yes, but only early: first-year graduate students are eligible, alongside college seniors and gap-year applicants headed to a Ph.D. program.