All eligible students are encouraged to apply for one of Brown’s nominations for the Schmidt Science Fellows.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Complete all requirements for the conferral of your Ph.D. between May 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
2. Availability to start the Fellowship in July 2027 or October 2027; available from April 2027 to July 2028 to attend virtual onboarding activities; available from October 2027 to attend in-person convenings.

Students must apply via their department’s nomination process. Departments are limited to nominating two students.

Nomination process

To be considered for one of Brown's nominations, the review committee will need the following from each student:

1. A letter of nomination of no more than two single-spaced pages from your advisor or other Brown faculty member.
2. A personal statement of no more than two single-spaced pages on your interest in the program. This statement should speak to the selection criteria for the Schmidt Science Fellows program:
   
   Intellect
   Extraordinary Achievement: Clear record of academic achievement of the highest quality in the sciences and an extraordinary degree of intelligence.
   Scientific Curiosity: High degree of intellectual curiosity combined with energy and creativity; a record of continuous innovation and/or use of new technologies.
   
   Programmatic Fit
   Alignment with the Program: Commitment to pursuing a year or more of postdoctoral study in a field different from your PhD discipline. A belief that interdisciplinary science and taking appropriate scientific risks are important components of discovery.
   Collaborative Spirit: Value the power of bringing people and perspectives together and have a track-record of effective collaboration with diverse team members. 
   
   Leadership
   Character and Leadership: Genuine and demonstrable potential for science leadership; perseverance, a moral compass, and a galvanizing force of personality.
   
   Global Ambition for Social Good:
   Driven by the need to use your talent to make a positive difference in society and the world. 
    
3. A CV
4. A brief (300 words or less) abstract of your dissertation research.
5. A note from your DGS confirming that you are on track to complete all the requirements for the conferral of you Ph.D., including a successful defense, between May 15, 2025 and June 30, 2026

To be included in the nomination process, your DGS or program representative must email these materials to graduate_dean@brown.edu by 11:55 p.m. on Friday, April 24.