The Schmidt Science Fellows nomination process for 2024/25 is now open, please find further information here. UCL can nominate up to 7 individuals to make a full application.
What is it?
This prestigious fellowship programme provides the world’s best emerging scientists with new skills and perspectives to develop novel solutions to society’s challenges, become scientific and societal thought leaders, and accelerate ground-breaking discoveries. Fellows undertake a 12-24 month postdoctoral placement after successfully completing their PhD, in an area that represents a significant disciplinary pivot from their PhD topic. A significant stipend is available as well as opportunities to build a network within and outside of academia.
Am I eligible?
Candidates must complete all the requirements for the conferral of their PhD, including a successful defence, between 15 May 2024 and 30 June 2025, and have conducted their graduate degrees in the natural sciences (Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences), Engineering, Mathematics, or Computing – and all sub-disciplines therein.
For more information on eligibility, please consult the Schmidt Science Fellows website directly: https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/selection/eligibility/
How does the application process work?
UCL has the opportunity to nominate up to 7 people to apply to the fellowships. The process has multiple stages; the first step is to complete this application form and return it by 12pm on Friday, 19 April: https://form.jotform.com/240661760429357
Please note, the form requires you to upload both a CV and a letter of support from your supervisor, DGT or another appropriate person. Please make sure you make arrangements in advance, so that getting this letter of support does not cause you to miss the deadline.
UCL will then undertake a selection process to decide who to nominate and, if successful, candidates will be contacted and invited to participate in the next stage of the selection process during May.
What if I have further questions about the scheme?
As the Schmidt programme is not run directly by UCL, we are unable to answer questions about eligibility, what kind of project you should do etc. so we advise looking through the Schmidt website and consulting with the staff in your Department if you want help putting together your application. You may also find the below helpful:
- Call for applications PDF from Schmidt (Note that the deadline given above is for UCL’s nominations and you need to complete the initial form linked above by this date (19th April), not the dates in the PDF.)
- Sample application form
- Schmidt Science Fellows – Online Session for Prospective Candidates:
The Schmidt organisation is running seminars for applicants, which you are welcome to attend - see links below:
Session 1
Date: Monday, April 15, 2024
Time: 10:30 BST / 11:30 CEST / 17:30 SGT / 19:30 AEST / 05:30 EDT / 02:30 PDT
Register here (best suited to audiences in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania)
Session 2
Date: Monday, April 15, 2024
Time: 17:00 BST / 18:00 CEST / 00.00 (+1) SGT / 01:00 (+1) AEST / 12:00 EDT / 09:00 PDT
Register here (best suited to audiences in North/ Central/ South America and Europe