Schmidt Science Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026
The Schmidt Science Fellow is an initiative of Schmidt Sciences, which strives to build a community of scientists and supporters of interdisciplinary research. They believe that global challenges cannot be addressed by one discipline alone, instead by bringing together different perspectives, ideas, and skills, interdisciplinary science broadens the view, thereby enhancing our ability to innovate and solve complex problems facing science and society.
Schmidt Science Fellow will focus on supporting the best emerging scientists in the natural sciences to pivot from their PhD discipline and pursue an interdisciplinary research career.
Proposed pivots must be in Natural Sciences (Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics), Engineering, Mathematics, Computing or any of the sub-disciplines). Pivot to the Social Sciences are outside of the scope of Schmidt Science Fellow.
For more information: https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/
What does the fellowship provide?
- a personal stipend of up to $110 000 a year for up to 2 years of postdoctoral study in a different area from your PhD, at any approved location worldwide.
- Science Leadership Training and Mentorship: Tailored professional development to help you grow as a leader.
- Lifelong Fellowship: A stimulating, caring and collaborative community.
Fellows are strongly encouraged to change their institution to their PhD fellowship. See who’s a Schmidt Science Fellow.
Who can apply?
- Anyone studying for a PhD in Natural Sciences (Astronomy, Biology*, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics), Engineering, Mathematics, Computing – or any of the sub-disciplines).
*At Karolinska Institutet (KI) all PhD degrees are within Medicine. Schmidt Sciences considers those degrees to belong to the subject area Biology.
- Expected to complete all requirements for receiving your PhD degree between May 15, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
- Able to start your Fellowship in July 2026 or October 2026.
What’s the nomination and application process?
Karolinska Institutet is able to nominate 2 candidates to send their full application to the program. Applicants that would like to be nominated for the Fellowship will therefore need to send in:
- A document (max 2 A4 pages) which entails:
- A short description of the candidate’s academic career to date.
- How the pivot will enable the candidate to achieve the scientific goal that is not possible while continuing on the current course and/or allow them to overcome a scientific challenge using different approaches and perspectives.
- A short description of experiences in collaboration and leadership.
- CV
Above documents are to be sent to grantsoffice@ki.se by 10th April, 2025. The applications will be reviewed by an internal review committee and notification of selection results will be provided to all applicants by 19th May. Nominated candidates must submit their full application to Schmidt Science Fellow by 14th July 2025.