Hertz Fellowship 2027

Applicants who have completed or are completing a Master's degree may also be eligible in certain circumstances, particularly if they intend to begin a qualifying PhD programme in fall 2027.

2. Areas of Research

The Hertz Fellowship is focused on doctoral research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related disciplines.

Relevant areas can include:

1. Applied physical sciences
2. Applied biological sciences
3. Mathematics
4. Engineering
5. Computer science and related technical fields
6. Other closely related areas of applied science and engineering

Past Hertz Fellows have conducted research in areas including physics, mathematics, chemistry, bioengineering, computational science, artificial intelligence, neuroscience, energy and other scientific and technological disciplines.

Applicants should demonstrate strong technical preparation and a genuine interest in pursuing challenging scientific or engineering problems.

3. Research Focus

One distinctive feature of the Hertz Fellowship is that applicants are not required to submit a conventional fixed research proposal as a condition of application.

Instead, applicants describe their previous research experiences and the scientific or technical questions they are interested in pursuing.

This structure gives Hertz Fellows flexibility to change or refine their research direction as their doctoral studies progress.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate:

1. Previous research experience.
2. Strong scientific or technical preparation.
3. Independent thinking.
4. Creativity in approaching difficult problems.
5. A clear interest in significant scientific or technological challenges.
6. Potential to develop into an independent researcher.

4. Funding and Financial Support

The Hertz Fellowship provides substantial financial support for doctoral study.

For the 2027 fellowship cycle, the Foundation states that the award can provide up to five years of funding valued at up to $250,000.

The financial support is designed to give fellows greater independence during their doctoral education and reduce the financial constraints that can affect graduate research.

Rather than being restricted to one narrowly defined project, the fellowship gives recipients flexibility to pursue promising research directions as their interests and findings develop.

The Foundation describes this approach as providing fellows with the freedom to innovate and pursue ambitious scientific work.

5. Professional Development and Mentorship

The fellowship provides more than financial assistance.

Hertz Fellows become part of a long-term professional community consisting of scientists, engineers, mathematicians and other researchers.

Professional opportunities can include:

1. Mentorship from experienced scientists and researchers.
2. Scientific meetings and symposia.
3. Professional development activities.
4. Networking with other Hertz Fellows.
5. Connections with researchers and organizations working on major scientific and technological challenges.

The Hertz community continues beyond the fellowship period, allowing recipients to maintain professional relationships with other fellows throughout their careers.

6. Participating Universities

Hertz Fellows must pursue their PhD at an eligible participating U.S. institution.

Participating universities include institutions such as:

1. California Institute of Technology
2. Carnegie Mellon University
3. Cornell University
4. Duke University
5. Georgia Institute of Technology
6. Harvard University
7. Johns Hopkins University
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
9. Princeton University
10. Stanford University
11. University of California, Berkeley
12. University of California, Los Angeles
13. University of California, San Diego
14. University of Chicago
15. University of Michigan
16. University of Washington
17. Yale University

Applicants should check the current official list of participating institutions because university participation can change.

7. Support for Finalists

The Hertz Foundation also has arrangements that may provide financial support to eligible Hertz Finalists who attend certain participating universities.

For example, the Foundation identifies arrangements involving Case Western Reserve University and Texas A&M University.

Eligible finalists should review the current conditions directly with the Hertz Foundation and the relevant university because the terms of these arrangements may differ.

8. Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare their application carefully and provide information demonstrating their academic preparation, research experience and potential.

The application allows candidates to discuss their current and previous research experiences as well as their scientific interests.

Applicants should also identify appropriate recommenders.

Strong recommenders should be individuals who know the applicant's scientific abilities and can provide meaningful examples of their creativity, technical ability and potential as a researcher.

9. Application Timeline

The important dates for the 2027 Hertz Fellowship include:

1. Application opens: 31 August 2026
2. Application deadline: 30 October 2026
3. Recommender deadline: 2 November 2026
4. Application preselection: November 2026
5. First-round interviews: December 2026–January 2027
6. Second-round interviews: February 2027
7. Finalists notified: February 2027
8. Fellowship recipients notified: April 2027
9. Official fellowship announcement: May 2027
10. Fellowship funding begins: Fall 2027

Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing early because recommenders have a separate deadline after the main application closes.

10. Selection Process

The Hertz Fellowship uses a multi-stage selection process.

After applications close, submitted applications undergo an initial review. Selected candidates then proceed to interview stages.

The first round of interviews takes place during December 2026 and January 2027, followed by second-round interviews in February 2027.

Finalists are expected to be identified in February 2027, while fellowship recipients are expected to be notified in April 2027.

The Foundation's selection process considers applicants' scientific knowledge, creativity, research potential and ability to pursue challenging scientific and technological problems.

11. What Applicants Should Demonstrate

Applicants should use their application to provide clear evidence of their development as scientists, engineers or mathematicians.

Important qualities to demonstrate include:

1. Strong academic preparation.
2. Meaningful research experience.
3. Scientific curiosity.
4. Independent thinking.
5. Creativity.
6. Technical competence.
7. Interest in significant scientific or technological problems.
8. Potential for independent research.
9. Strong recommendations from individuals familiar with the applicant's scientific abilities.

Applicants should provide specific examples from their academic and research experience rather than relying only on general statements about their abilities.

12. Important Note for International Applicants

The Hertz Fellowship is not an international scholarship.

For the 2027 cycle, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and the doctoral programme must be located at an eligible institution in the United States.

International students who do not hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency should therefore not assume that they qualify based solely on their academic or research achievements.

13. Application Information

Applications for the 2027 Hertz Fellowship opened on 31 August 2026.

The application deadline is 30 October 2026.

Applicants should begin preparing their materials well before the deadline, particularly because recommender evaluations have a separate deadline of 2 November 2026.

Candidates should review the official eligibility requirements, participating universities, application instructions and frequently asked questions before submitting their application.