The Schmidt Science Fellows Program is 14-month program, delivered through a combination of group sessions at some of the world’s leading universities and a special postdoctoral study in a field different from a Fellow’s existing expertise. Fellows are exposed to new topics, new ways of thinking, and new people that will help guide their future paths to success. They are awarded a stipend of $100,000 and receive personal and scientific mentoring to enable them to maximize the opportunities from their Fellowship.
Key Dates and Information
UNC Internal Nomination Deadline: extended to July 25th at 5pm!
Agency Nomination Deadline: August 31, 2018 Number of Nominations per Institution: 3
Overview and Eligibility
UNC-CH has the opportunity to nominate three recently graduated or graduating PhDs for the Schmidt Science Fellows Program. In order to be eligible, candidates must meet the following requirements:
To be eligible, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have conducted their graduate degree in the natural sciences (life, physical, and earth sciences), engineering, mathematics, or computing.
- Have completed or expect to complete all of the requirements for the conferral of their PhD in one of these fields between 1 May 2018 and 30 June 2019.
- Be available for the entire period of the 2019-2020 program, from July 2019 to July 2020.
To Apply
Submit (in one .PDF) to Denise Lindley, Office of Research Development, Limited_Submissions@unc.edu by 5:00pm Tuesday, July 17, 2018.
- Letter of nomination from your dissertation advisor (or other member of your committee familiar with your research) which should address the Schmidt Science Fellows Selection Criteria listed in the Nominations and Selection Guidance.
- Personal statement(no more than 2 pages) to include your interest in the Program and what you hope to achieve during and after it, and your proposal for postdoctoral research direction.
Program Description
Schmidt Science Fellows receive a stipend of $100,000 and support from the program to identify and undertake a year-long postdoctoral placement. This placement commences after a Fellow successfully completes his or her PhD in the natural sciences, computing, engineering or mathematics. Fellows’ placements will represent a significant disciplinary pivot from their PhD topic and are central to the program’s aim to foster greater interdisciplinarity.
The program has relationships and committed support from internationally-leading research leaders and laboratories to ensure fellows are placed into a stimulating, challenging and rewarding environment. Throughout the placement year, our Fellows will have access to personal and scientific mentoring to enable them to maximize the benefits of their fellowship and to support their career development.
See the attached Nominations and Selection Guidance 2019-2020 for more information.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be judged on the following, defined on their website:
- Scientific Curiosity
- Extraordinary achievement
- Intellectual Spark
- Global ambitions
- Character
- Collaborative Spirit
- Use of Innovative Tools
- Alignment with the Program
For questions, please contact Denise Lindley, Limited Submissions Coordinator at Limited_Submissions@unc.edu or 962-7503.