Securing independent funding for doctoral studies is a major milestone for talented researchers who want to solve the most pressing challenges of our time. For many ambitious scientists and engineers, finding a program that offers both absolute financial security and lifelong professional support remains a persistent struggle. Navigating the competitive space of STEM doctoral grants can be incredibly tough without a prestigious fellowship that provides the freedom to innovate without restrictive university conditions.
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The 2026 Hertz Fellowship, powered by the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation, is a dedicated graduate support initiative designed to cultivate the nation’s most promising technical minds. By providing a comprehensive compensation package valued at up to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the Hertz Foundation ensures that brilliant PhD students can focus entirely on pioneering breakthroughs in applied sciences, mathematics, and engineering without financial worry.
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Hertz Fellowship Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Organization | Fannie and John Hertz Foundation |
| Target Audience | College Seniors, Undergraduates, Masters, PhD Students |
| Primary Benefit | Stipend and Tuition Support up to Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars |
| Program Type | Applied Sciences and Engineering Graduate Fellowship |
| Gender Focus | All Genders Welcome |
| Application Deadline | October 2026 |
About the Initiative 2026
The Hertz Fellowship is far more than a basic academic stipend; it serves as a prestigious launchpad for advanced applied sciences fellowships and lifelong leadership in the global scientific community. Refined over seven decades of rigorous selection, the program invests in individuals with the potential to address urgent, near term societal problems. Selected fellows join an influential, multidisciplinary community of scholars, gaining access to specialized mentoring, leadership retreats, and professional symposia. This collaborative ecosystem allows researchers to turn their scientific discoveries into real world applications with the greatest possible impact.
Core Objectives of the Program
- To support outstanding doctoral students by providing high value graduate engineering stipends and tuition coverage.
- To advance global scientific innovation by funding empirical research in applied biology, physical sciences, and mathematics.
- To foster a community of lifelong achievers committed to putting their scientific talents to work for the greater good of the nation.
Benefits of the Hertz Foundation Fellowship
The fellowship compensation package includes a full cost of education allowance and a personal stipend valued at up to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Fellows can choose between two flexible funding structures:
Option 1: Funding from the Hertz Foundation Only
- A personal stipend of thirty eight thousand dollars per nine month academic year.
- Full tuition equivalent coverage at your chosen host university.
- Renewable annually for up to five years of full time doctoral study.
- An additional five thousand dollar annual stipend for fellows with dependent children.
Option 2: Coordination with Another Awarding Institution
If you receive a fellowship or grant from another entity (such as the National Science Foundation), the Hertz Foundation will coordinate to maximize your compensation:
- Hertz Foundation Period: Full tuition equivalent and an increased forty four thousand dollar nine month personal stipend.
- Coordinated Period (e.g., NSF Years): A nine thousand dollar annual supplemental stipend from the Hertz Foundation.
- Renewable annually for up to five years of total program support.
- An additional five thousand dollar annual stipend for fellows with dependent children.
Eligibility and Requirements of the Hertz Fellowship
- Academic Status: Applicants must be college seniors, first year graduate students, or in a gap period preparing to apply to graduate school.
- Degree Objective: You must intend to pursue a full time, in person PhD program at a participating institution in the United States.
- Field of Study: Open to students pursuing a PhD in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering.
- Societal Purpose: Candidates must intend to direct their studies toward understanding and solving major, near term problems facing society.
- Citizenship Status: Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
- Exclusion Criteria: Fellowships are not awarded for professional degrees such as an MD, JD, MBA, DPH, or DVM; however, the PhD portion of a joint MD and PhD program is fully eligible.
Participating Schools for the Hertz Foundation Fellowship
- Arizona State University
- California Institute of Technology
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Case Western Reserve University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Duke University
- Emory University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Lehigh University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- New York University
- Northwestern University
- Ohio State University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Princeton University
- Purdue University
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Rice University
- Rockefeller University
- Stanford University
- State University of New York at Stony Brook
- Texas A&M University
- The Scripps Research Institute
- University of Arizona
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, Irvine
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, Riverside
- University of California, San Diego
- University of California, San Francisco
- University of California, Santa Barbara
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- University of Chicago
- University of Colorado Boulder
- University of Colorado Denver
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- University of Maryland
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- University of Rochester
- University of Southern California
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- University of Washington
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Vanderbilt University
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Yale University
Moral Commitment for Fellows
The Hertz Foundation strongly believes that science and technology should make a positive impact on the nation. Before accepting the award, fellows must make a non binding moral commitment to make their skills available to the United States in times of national emergency. This is not a contractual obligation, and the foundation does not define what constitutes a national emergency. Instead, it is left to each fellow to determine whether the nation faces a serious challenge and if they are positioned to use their expertise to address it.
Step by Step Application Guide for the Hertz Fellowship
Phase 1: Institutional and Field Selection
- Visit the official Hertz Foundation website to review the directory of over fifty participating universities.
- Confirm that your target university has a standard agreement with the Hertz Foundation (such as MIT, Stanford, or Caltech).
- Ensure your chosen field of study in the applied sciences, physics, or mathematics qualifies for funding.
- Align your research objectives with the goal of solving major, near term societal problems.
Phase 2: Preparing Your Research Portfolio
- Request official transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate institutions to prove your academic history.
- Update your Curriculum Vitae to highlight your laboratory research, software proficiencies, and leadership roles.
- Document any unique achievements, such as undergraduate publications, patent filings, or community outreach projects.
- Save all your personal and academic credentials as separate, high quality PDF files.
Phase 3: Drafting Your Personal and Scientific Advocacy
- Write a compelling personal statement that advocates for your specific field of study.
- Demonstrate how your research will be applied to address real world challenges with the greatest impact.
- Gather the professional email addresses of academic referees who can submit recommendation letters by November 2026.
- Proofread your written texts to ensure the English is simple, engaging, and completely hyphen free.
Phase 4: Submitting Through the Hertz Portal
- Access the official Hertz Foundation fellowship application platform when it opens in late August 2026 through Jamnet website.
- Complete the online questionnaire with your personal data, citizenship status, and target graduate schools.
- Upload your resume, transcripts, personal statement, and reference details in the designated sections.
- Submit your completed application package before the late October 2026 deadline.
Phase 5: Managing Interviews and Selection Stages
- Save a digital confirmation of your submitted application files and tracking numbers.
- Ensure your references submit their letters through the portal before the November 2026 deadline.
- Prepare for the rigorous Round 1 in person or virtual interviews scheduled for December 2026 and January 2027.
- If selected, participate in the advanced Round 2 technical interviews in February 2027 to secure your award.
Jamnet Expert Advice (STAR/SMART Methods)
- Use the SMART Method: Be Specific about the near term societal problems you want to solve, ensure your experimental progress is Measurable, and keep your goals Relevant to applied science.
- Apply the STAR Technique: In your application essays and interviews, describe a challenging scientific Situation, the precise engineering Task, the Action you took to build a solution, and the positive Result.
- Emphasis: Focus heavily on demonstrating deep, integrated technical knowledge, creative problem solving, and a track record of active leadership.
- Proactive Tip: Practice articulating complex, multidisciplinary concepts clearly during spoken conversations, as the Hertz interview process relies heavily on oral communication with expert scientists.
Key Application Timeline
Application Opens
Late August 2026
Information Sessions
September 2026
Application Deadline
Late October 2026
Reference Deadline
November 2026
Application Preselection
November 2026
Round 1 Interviews
December and January 2027
Round 2 Interviews
February 2027
Finalists Notified
February 2027
Finalists Announcement
February 2027
Fellowship Recipients Notified
April 2027
Fellowship Announcement
May 2027
Deadline: October 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Hertz Fellowship
- What is the total value of the Hertz Fellowship? The comprehensive package of stipends and tuition support is valued at up to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
- Who is eligible to apply? College seniors, first year graduate students, or individuals in a gap period preparing for a full time PhD in the US.
- What are the key funding options? Option 1 provides funding solely from the Hertz Foundation, while Option 2 coordinates with other awards like the NSF.
- Do I need to be a US citizen? Yes applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
- Are joint degrees supported? Professional degrees like an MD or JD are not funded, but the foundation will support the PhD portion of a joint MD and PhD program.
- What is the moral commitment? It is a non binding moral commitment to make your skills available to the United States in times of national emergency.
- When does the application cycle open? The online application portal officially opens in late August 2026.
- Are there specific qualifying fields of study? The fellowship is open to any PhD candidate in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering.
- Can I apply if my chosen school is not on the participating list? Yes you can request to have your school added, and the foundation will negotiate an agreement.
- When are fellowship recipients announced? Selected fellowship recipients are officially announced in May 2027.
