HERTZ FELLOWS ARE
MAKING
HISTORY
Hertz Fellow Ruby Lai is bringing sanitation to areas without the water and power needed for sewage systems. Her company, Foss Toilets, is one more example of how our interdisciplinary community is tackling our planet’s greatest challenges.
OUR INNOVATORS AT WORK
Recognition of our impact
The Hertz Foundation fuels a lifelong community of pioneers dedicated to solving humanity’s most difficult problems. While each follows a unique passion and extraordinary purpose, they all share a moral imperative to serve the nation and build a better world.
68
Years of supporting the nation’s most exceptional innovators
375
Businesses created
54
Members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
2
Nobel Laureates
FEATURED FELLOWS
SYAMANTAK
PAYRA
Syamantak Payra is passionate about creating biomedical devices that can provide physiological assistance, facilitate the diagnosis of illnesses and accelerate rehabilitation of the human body.
READ MORE
ELLEN
PAWLIKOWSKI
General Ellen Pawlikowski (retired) is the third woman to achieve the rank of General in the United States Air Force. Nationally recognized for her leadership in science and technology, she supported both peacetime and combat operations around the world.
READ MORE
EMILY
GEYMAN
Emily Geyman studies perturbations to Earth’s climate across history in order to better predict and understand the climate response to greenhouse emissions in the next century.
READ MORE
THE FELLOWSHIP
The Hertz Fellowship is the nation’s most prestigious PhD award in applied science, engineering, and mathematics. Each year, up to 25 exceptional students receive five years of funding and join a lifelong community of visionary problem solvers.
Apply for the fellowshipTHE POWER OF
OUR COMMUNITY
Empowering the nation’s most exceptional innovators
Working together to solve our toughest challenges
Advancing American scientific and technological leadership
A lifelong community that nurtures curiosity, connection and collaboration
Hertz Partnerships
Partnering with the Hertz Foundation drives innovation and delivers results. The organizations below are just a few of those currently collaborating with Hertz Fellows.
MORE ON PARTNERSHIPSGates Foundation internships offer impact on a global scale
From fighting infectious diseases to delivering sustainable sanitation solutions, Hertz Fellows have the opportunity for two summer internships with the Gates Foundation during their doctoral research. Working in the Gates Foundation’s global health and development programs, fellows contribute to the discovery and development of innovative solutions that address urgent global challenges.
LEARN MOREBreakthrough Energy taps Hertz Fellows to accelerate clean energy innovation
Hertz Fellows will soon be playing a critical role in the work of Breakthrough Energy. Working to develop and deploy innovative approaches in both energy generation and greenhouse gas reduction, they will be furthering BE’s mission to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
LEARN MOREAnalog Devices turns to Hertz Fellows to advance analog, digital and software technology
Hertz Fellows will gain valuable industry experience and make significant contributions to the global semiconductor leader’s broad range of technologies, from integrated circuits to AI, applied across healthcare, industrial, healthcare, aerospace, and consumer products.
LEARN MORE
Foundations and Fellows
in the news
When you take on the world’s biggest challenges, the world takes notice. Stay updated with the latest breakthroughs, stories, and headlines.
ALL NEWS
October 31, 2025
Hertz Fund Challenges Amplify Impact of Giving
October 16, 2025
Former Inscripta CEO Sri Kosaraju Elected to Hertz Foundation Board of Directors
Support the Next Generation of Innovators
LEARN MORE
