The Hertz Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing American scientific and technological leadership, today announced that the application for the 2026 Hertz Fellowship is now open.
The Hertz Fellowship is one of the most competitive and coveted awards for doctoral students in applied sciences, engineering and mathematics. Hertz Fellows receive up to five years of funding, giving them freedom from the traditional constraints of graduate training and the independence needed to pursue groundbreaking research. They also gain lifelong professional support, including mentoring, events and networking opportunities.
Hertz Fellows join an influential network of more than 1,300 Hertz Fellows worldwide who are responsible for some of the most significant scientific and technological progress of the past century, from pioneering AI companies like Anthropic to launching the James Webb Space Telescope, from developing advanced medical therapies to powering cities with clean energy. The lifelong bonds within the community have led fellows to form research collaborations, commercialize technology and create and invest in early-stage companies together.
“Whether you’re just beginning graduate school or planning to enroll next fall, we’re looking for individuals who are passionate about pursuing bold, creative approaches to advance their own research ideas,” said Derek Haseltine, director of the Hertz Fellowship Program. “If you’re curious, driven and motivated to make a meaningful impact both in your area of study and in science more broadly, we encourage you to apply.”
Since 1957, the Hertz Foundation has been identifying and supporting the nation’s most extraordinary young scientists and technologists. Its rigorous, time-tested selection process—led by Hertz Fellows Philip Welkhoff, director of the malaria program at the Gates Foundation, and Anna Bershteyn, associate professor of population health at New York University—identifies innovators who think beyond boundaries and pursue bold goals with the potential to transform society. As part of their application, all Hertz Fellows make a non-binding moral commitment to make their skills available to the United States at times of national emergency.
The fellowship experience is designed to support Hertz Fellows at every stage of their careers. The Hertz Foundation maintains agreements with more than 50 universities, ensuring that students can quickly and seamlessly accept their awards. It also builds partnerships with influential organizations in science, technology and philanthropy to expand opportunities and amplify the impact of the fellow’s community. In recent years, the foundation has partnered with Analog Devices, Breakthrough Energy Discovery, the Gates Foundation and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
To support applicants who are not ultimately selected as Hertz Fellows, the Hertz Foundation has agreed to partnerships with Case Western Reserve University and Texas A&M University, which will offer full financial benefits to Hertz Fellowship Finalists who attend the universities for graduate school.
The Hertz Fellowship application closes on Friday, October 31, 2025. Fellowship finalists will be named in February 2026, and fellowship awards will be officially announced in May 2026.
Information Sessions
On September 10 and 16, 2025, Hertz Fellowship Director Derek Haseltine will lead information sessions along with more than a dozen Hertz Fellows to help prospective applicants learn more about the fellowship and strategies for preparing their best application package. The sessions will take place on Zoom on Wednesday, September 10, at 6:00 p.m. EST, and Tuesday, September 16, at 12:00 p.m. EST.
About the Hertz Foundation
The Hertz Foundation is the nation’s preeminent nonprofit organization committed to advancing American scientific and technological leadership. For more than 60 years, it has stood as an unwavering pillar of independent support through the renowned Hertz Fellowship, cultivating a multidisciplinary network of innovators whose work has positively impacted millions of lives. Learn more at hertzfoundation.org.