2025
IMPACT REPORT
MESSAGE FROM HERTZ FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP
TOGETHER, WE MAKE HISTORY
STEPHEN D. FANTONE
Chair, Board of Directors
WENDY CONNORS
President, Hertz Foundation
What becomes possible when scientific leadership, exceptional minds, and philanthropic support come together? The impact of Hertz Fellows is visible every day in their pioneering work that solves critical challenges—from advancing human health to addressing climate change or feeding a growing world.
READ THE FULL LETTEROur Strategic Pillars at Work
As global challenges grow increasingly complex, our more than seven decades of identifying and investing in the nation’s emerging science and technology leaders provide a roadmap for innovative solutions. The pillars of the Hertz Foundation’s strategic plan ensure sustained investment in a community that advances groundbreaking discoveries, shapes national leadership, and inspires the development of pioneering new enterprises.
1K+
Applications – all-time high
19
New fellows,
aiming for 25 annually
30%
In-School Fellows collaborating with other Hertz Fellows
2
New support funds launched: Childcare Stipend Fund, Travel Fund
The Hertz Fellowship remains a stable funding source, fueling the exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills of our fellows and empowering them with individualized mentorship and career development programming.
LEARN ABOUT OUR 2025 HERTZ FELLOWS National Labs Entrepreneurship Academy50+
Events drew more than 2,300 attendees, in person and virtually, across 14 regions
33
Fellows engaged via talks or career stories across stages
22
Graduates participated in the pilot early career mentor program
Engagement among the Hertz Community of fellows and friends grew in 2025, creating deeper connections to each other and the foundation. Thoughtful storytelling by fellows all across the country increased exposure for the public phase of our fundraising campaign, while one-on-one and group career mentoring opportunities expanded significantly.
highlights of our community UPCOMING EVENTSThe Hertz Foundation is a model of inclusive collaboration in science and technology. Committed to practices that better recruit, support and empower diverse innovators from all backgrounds, we expanded initiatives that enhance inclusivity.
Digital, On-Demand Expansion
9K+ applicant and advisor views of application materials
National Conference Engagement
500+ students reached at S-STEM panel and booth
2 Sessions, 13 Fellows, Topics:
Application and interview advice, underrepresentation in STEM, building resiliency in graduate school
Strengthening Institutional Partnerships
Major R1, Midwest, and underrepresented-serving institutions
Expanded Partnership with Society of Black Physicists:
Trained NSBP board member to better inform NSBP faculty network and strengthen advising for future applicants.
Collaborated with AAAS STEMM Opportunity Alliance:
Participated in NYC workshop engaging diverse research communities
We deepened our commitment to partnership development, forming a diverse community of universities, corporations, foundations, and government agencies who share our goals for a better future. Partnerships enhance the Hertz Fellowship experience through career opportunities, networking events, and programming; expand access to funding; and elevate the Hertz Foundation’s visibility nationwide.
SEE ALL PARTNERS
Fellows Making Headlines
Peek into the extraordinary breadth of achievement — a select few among countless impact stories, awards and appointments — that reflect the spirit of curiosity, courage and excellence of our Hertz Fellows who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Fellow
STORIES
SEPTEMBER 2025
MICHAEL FISCHBACH
What if a simple skin cream could trigger your immune system to fight tumors or viral infections? Learn how microbes reimagined by scientists are turning everyday bacteria into next-gen therapies.
LEARN MOREFEBRUARY 2025
Francesmary Modugno
What if breakthroughs in data could help close the gap in women’s health? Explore how using big data and global collaboration can uncover the roots of disparities in women’s cancers—and drive a more equitable future for care and outcomes.
LEARN MOREJUNE 2025
Kathleen Alexander
What if your next croissant was crafted not from cow-butter or palm oils, but built molecule-by-molecule using carbon? Discover how this startup is reimagining food production to slash land and water use, and rewrite our planet’s food story.
LEARN MOREBIOSECURITY
TOPICAL FORUM
As biology becomes programmable as software, what will it take to prevent the next pandemic—or worse? The 2025 Hertz Topical Forum: Biosecurity united fellows and global experts to turn urgent scientific challenges into actionable safeguards for our shared future.
LEARN MORE LEARN MORE
“I envision the Hertz Foundation as a central hub that connects fellows to critical resources. I want to help remove barriers and unlock potential.”
AWARDS / HONORS
MANJUL
BHARGAVA
Infosys Prize Fields Medal
Infosys Science Foundation
DOLEV
BLUVSTEIN
Breakthrough of the Year Award
Physics World
MUNG
CHIANG
Sagamore of the Wabash
Governor of Indiana
JORDAN S.
COTLER
Sloan Research Fellow
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Alan S.
Edelman
Elected Fellow
American Association for the Advancement in Science
GRACE R.
KIM
Graduate Fellowship
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
ERIC K.
LARSON
Sloan Research Fellow
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
HANNAH
LARSON
Laureate
Mathematics Breakthrough Prize
RUPERT M.
LI
Soros Fellow
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americas
MARYA
LIEBERMAN
GUSTAVUS JOHN ESSELEN AWARD FOR CHEMISTRY
American Chemical Society
JULIUS B.
LUCKS
Elected Fellow
American Association for the Advancement in Science
CINDY A.
REGAL
National Brown Investigator Award
California Institute of Technology
JUSTIN M.
SOLOMON
Schmidt Polymaths
Schmidt Sciences
IN THE NEWS
Rubin’s First Snapshots Launch a Decade of Discovery
Jeremy M. Kubica – 2001 Hertz Fellow
Quantum fractal patterns visualized
Jonah Herzog-Arbeitman – 2022 Hertz Fellow
Is the AI Boom Leading to More Natural Gas-Powered Utilities?
William E. Weihl – 1979 Hertz Fellow
How do astronomers find distant planets … if we can’t see them?
Joshua N. Winn – 1994 Hertz Fellow
The Rise Of Collaborative Robots In The Workplace
Daniel Theobald – 1996 Hertz Fellow
The Tea Lady Experiment – Numberphile
Po-Ling Loh – 2009 Hertz Fellow
Can Quantum Gravity Be Created in the Lab?
Monika H. Schleier-Smith – 2005 Hertz Fellow
Kevin M. Esvelt – 2004 Hertz Fellow
Tsunamis, Landslides and Asteroid Impacts: GeoClaw Models Deadly Flows
Randall J. LeVeque – 1980 Hertz Fellow
MIT tool visualizes and edits “physically impossible” objects
Kartik Chandra – 2021 Hertz Fellow
Building AI Foundation Models to Accelerate the Discovery of New Battery Materials
Bharath Ramsundar – 2013 Hertz Fellow
Plastic Recycling Not Requiring Sorting Could Be Coming
Michael R. Wasielewski – 1972 Hertz Fellow
Po-Shen Loh to speak on adapting skills for artificial intelligence era
Po-Shen Loh – 2004 Hertz Fellow
Spotlight on the Community
Meet our Hertz Fellows whose accomplishments in service, scholarship, innovation, and leadership reflect the strength and impact of our community. These stories, along with a recap of the 2025 Summer Workshop, highlight the dedication, excellence, and commitment that define the Hertz Fellows experience.
RUBY
LAI
Raymond Sidney Volunteer Leadership Award
REUBEN
SAUNDERS
Hertz Thesis Prize
VIVEK
NAIR
Harold Newman and David Galas Entrepreneurial Initiative
JESSICA
SEELIGER
Robbee Baker Kosak Leadership Prize
2025 Hertz Summer Workshop
Recap Article and Video
“I think it’s extremely important to keep foundations like Hertz going because it provides support and independence to exceptional students of any background.”
The Make History Campaign
This year, the Hertz Foundation launched its first ever public fundraising campaign, supported by materials like the video shown here. With over $31 million raised, we are well on our way to reaching the campaign’s $40 million goal.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGNAs of June 30, 2025
FUNDRAISING OVERVIEW
A strong year of giving fueled new fellowships and expanded support and programming for Hertz Fellows, setting the foundation on a path for future growth.
HERTZ FUND HIGHLIGHTS
$651K
annual gifts raised, proof that every gift matters
133
donors made their first or largest-ever gift
4
Impact Areas for annual support: Critical Needs, Fellowship, Community, Diversity in STEM
Fellow Participation
Total Donors in FY25:
372
Total Contributions
As of June 30, 2025
Investment Strategy & Results
Strong, steady financial performance in FY25 reflected disciplined stewardship, preserving the foundation’s long-term stability and mission to fuel scientific excellence.
MORE INFORMATION
“The Hertz Fellowship and community has immeasurably enriched my PhD experience. I donate to the foundation because I want more young scientists to benefit from the fellowship like I have. I also want to ensure the future of the fellowship for future generations. It is up to us to maintain the vibrancy of this community and the impact of our mission going forward.”
Making Your Impact
Explore how you and our community of supporters advance our mission and support the transformative work of Hertz Fellows. Every contribution drives innovation, amplifies achievements, and strengthens the foundation’s long-term impact. Partner with us to turn bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Discover events, programs, and gatherings designed to spark conversation, collaboration, and connection across our community network. Join us in the year ahead as we help shape the future of science and technology.
VIEW ALL EVENTSHERTZ
LEADERSHIP
We are grateful to our Hertz Fellows, board of directors, fellowship and programs council, campaign advisory group and staff who make our work possible. This dedicated community sustains our mission, guides our fellowship program, and enables us to empower the nation’s most exceptional innovators in science and technology, fueling a lifelong community dedicated to solving our most pressing problems.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS FELLOWSHIP & PROGRAMS COUNCIL CAMPAIGN ADVISORY GROUP STAFF
