HERTZ Fellowship
Guidance for Recommenders
Recommenders from all sectors are integral in helping students apply for the Hertz Fellowship. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at fellowshipinfo@hertzfoundation.org.
Contact the fellowship teamSUBMISSION PROCESS
The 2026 Hertz Fellowship application will open on August 28, 2025 and close on October 31, 2025. All recommender forms must be submitted by Monday, November 3, 2025 at 6:00 pm Pacific.
Once an applicant identifies you as a recommender in their application, it will trigger an email notification requesting that you complete a reference form.
No. We learn more about our applicants through our specific form questions rather than a standard letter. This form also contains checkbox questions up front which are important for our review process.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The Hertz Fellowship supports individuals that show the greatest potential for becoming exceptional innovators. We base our decision on the overall quality of the students themselves, rather than trying to compare the merits of specific research proposals. In particular, we’re looking for applicants who have a broad understanding of physical principals, a strong interest in applying the results of their research, exceptional personal creativity and outstanding potential for innovative research. Your recommendation may provide a critical validation of these important characteristics.
The form consists of two parts: short rubric to assess the applicant’s scientific accomplishments and characteristics, and several short questions.
For the rubric, we ask you to assess the applicant on several dimensions, including their degree of fundamental knowledge in their field, self-reliance and independence in scientific work, possession of fertile imagination, and originality in their work.
For the short questions, we are seeking insights into what makes this individual truly stand out. You will be asked to briefly discuss meaningful examples of the applicant’s creativity, initiative and problem-solving abilities. We are particularly interested in instances where the applicant has confronted real-world challenges or engaged in research within the applied physical sciences and engineering.
In addition, you will be asked to assess the applicant in comparison to their peers at a similar stage of education, with a focus on identifying their key strengths and potential.
As you complete the evaluation, we encourage you to reflect carefully on any potential biases and consider how you can contribute to a fair and equitable review process.
technical support
If you need to finish the form at a later time, simply click “Save for Later” at the bottom of the form. You can PRINT or SAVE a copy of your completed form but must do so BEFORE SUBMITTING IT. Simply click the Preview button (at the bottom) and then click the small printer icon on the next screen (in the upper left corner) which will allow you to print your completed reference form or save it as a PDF for your files. Before you submit, please review carefully to make sure the correct information is entered and nothing is autofilled.
If you have any additional questions or require technical assistance at any point during the recommendation process, please contact our Fellowship Team at fellowshipinfo@hertzfoundation.org
Additional resources
Who Can Apply
The nation’s most promising talent comes from different disciplines, backgrounds, and points of view.
see all criteriaFELLOWSHIP BENEFITS
The Hertz Fellowship awards up to five years of funding, valued at up to $250,000—and so much more.
LEARN MOREcareer support & mentorship
In addition to networking with some of the nation’s preeminent scientists, Fellows also work with a dedicated mentor throughout their fellowship.
LEARN MOREAPPLICATION HELP
We have resources to guide you as you navigate the application process, including FAQs, advice from Fellows, and more.
Find out more
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