Schmidt Science Fellowships
The programme is designed for applicants who wish to broaden their horizon, move away from their doctoral (PhD) research area, and pursue studies in another field with world-leading scientists. The proposed research should represent a genuine and innovative disciplinary departure from the doctoral studies, with the clear goal of acquiring new skills in a new field and establishing field-leading interdisciplinary lines of research that have the potential for high reward and societal impact.
The fellowships are a postdoctoral research stipend for 1 to 2 years (up to 220,000 USD) awarded by Schmidt Futures.
Applicants can choose a world-leading laboratory anywhere in the world.
Successful fellows will participate in a Global Meeting Series where new research ideas, techniques, and questions will be presented, as well as a tailored training programme.
For more information, please visit the external page Schmidt Science Fellows website.
- Applicants must be studying for a PhD in natural sciences (Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics), Engineering, Mathematics, Computing – or any of the sub-disciplines.
- Applicants are expected to have completed all requirements for the conferral of their Doctorate (PhD) and have received the definitive confirmation of the doctoral title from ETH in one of these fields within the specified time period, e.g., between 15 May 2025 and 30 June 2026 for the 2025 call (i.e., for the 2026 Fellows). See also the website with the final steps.
- Applicants must be nominated by the institution where they received their doctoral degree (PhD), e.g., ETH Zurich.
- Applicants must be able to start their Fellowship in July 2026 or October 2026 and be available from April 2026 to July 2027 to attend virtual onboarding activities, and from October 2026 to attend in-person convenings.
I. ETH Zurich will select up to seven candidates to be nominated for the Schmidt Science Fellowship.
II. Schmidt Futures: Nominated candidates may register and submit their full proposal to Schmidt Futures who will decide on the successful applicants/fellows.
The required application documents for the ETH Zurich nomination process are:
- cover page (1 page; Name of fellowship; applicant name; expected completion date of PhD; name of main doctoral advisor/s and department; brief personal statement that the PhD is on course to be completed between 15 May 2025 and 30 June 2026)
- your CV (max. 2 pages; incl. publications)
- your major academic achievements (0.5 page; key research results and any impact they might have had, etc.)
- outline of current scientific field and explanation on how the proposed project/fellowship will be a change from the PhD discipline and a change in application area (0.5 page; i.e. the intended move into a new research field and new application, note the move into a new research field and application is one of the key assessment criteria of the Schmidt Science Fellowship)
- explain briefly (0.5 page) why you think you are an ideal candidate for the Fellowship programme, especially how you see your research make a lasting impact in the sciences and society.
Submit the application as one PDF file to by 22 April 2025 at 17:00 Swiss local time.
ETH Zurich nomination process:
- Apply by 22 April 2025 (17:00 Swiss local time) to .
- Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the ETH Zurich selection process by 18 May 2025.
Schmidt Futures selection process:
- Nominated candidates must register on the Schmidt Science Fellow online application portal by 29 May 2025.
- The full proposal must be submitted via the Schmidt Science Fellow online application portal by 14 July 2025.
- The candidates will be informed about the result around April/May 2026.
Questions and contact
ETH Zurich
Grants Office
Rämistrasse 101
8092
Zurich
