Hertz Fellowship

empowering the most promising innovators

The Hertz Fellowship

The Hertz Fellowship is the nation’s most competitive award for doctoral students in applied science, engineering, and mathematics. Awarded through a rigorous selection process that has been honed over seven decades, Hertz Fellows receive up to five years of funding — and join a lifelong community committed to solving our most pressing challenges.

freedom to innovate®

As a Hertz Fellow, you gain more than funding. You gain the Freedom to Innovate® and the backing of a community dedicated to your success. This flexibility enables you to secure your top choice in advisor and research group, explore ideas outside the constraints of an advisor’s grants, develop collaborative projects and reduce distractions.

Everything you need to know

Who Can Apply

The nation’s most promising talent comes from different disciplines, backgrounds, and points of view.

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FELLOWSHIP BENEFITS

The Hertz Fellowship awards up to five years of funding, valued at up to $250,000—and so much more.

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for recommenders

Our recommenders in academia and industry are integral in helping students apply for the Hertz Fellowship.

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APPLY NOW

Ready to begin your journey to a Hertz Fellowship?

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APPLICATION HELP

We have resources to guide you as you navigate the application process, including FAQs, advice from Fellows, and more.

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career support & mentorship

In addition to networking with some of the nation’s preeminent scientists, Fellows also work with a dedicated mentor throughout their fellowship.

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Bringing great minds together

The Fellowship lasts five years, but the relationships last a lifetime. Hertz Fellows find common ground in curiosity, creativity, and mutual respect — leading to collaborations that cross disciplines and change the world.

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Powerful partnerships

Partner organizations enhance the fellowship experience through internships, professional development and networking, helping to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and real-world solutions.

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Name a Challenge.
There’s a Hertz Fellow working on it.

From the moment the Hertz Fellowship is awarded, it changes the trajectory of a life — and often, the course of science itself. Freed from financial constraints and emboldened to take risks, Hertz Fellows pursue ideas that shape entire industries and define new fields of study. Explore these examples of how Hertz Fellows are making an impact.