Brinson Prize Fellowship Program Grant

The Brinson Prize Fellowship Program, in partnership with The Brinson Foundation, offers support for early career astrophysicists and cosmologists pursuing innovative research in observational cosmology. This program emphasizes the importance of connecting science with society and provides up to three years of funding, including a stipend for independent research. Applicants must hold a PhD in relevant fields and can apply for fellowships starting in 2026, which include professional development opportunities.

About The Brinson Prize Fellowship Program
The Space Telescope Science Institute is collaborating with The Brinson Foundation to support the Brinson Prize Fellowship Program. These fellowships are awarded to early career astrophysicists and cosmologists who are committed to chasing bold ideas with creative, nimble, and innovative research. These awards focus on supporting research in observational cosmology, in particular that which complements and capitalizes on space science, including topics such as the first stars, the cosmic distance scale, and the development of large-scale structure. The proposed research can include a theoretical or instrumental component, but must have a clear link to observational activities from either ground or space. This may encompass the analysis of large survey datasets.
Brinson Fellowships are tenable at the U.S. institutions listed below. The fellowship provides up to three years of support for independent research, including an annual research stipend. The Foundation recognizes the importance and value of connecting science and society to maximize understanding and impact. It is the Foundation’s hope that Fellows will be inspired to reach their full potential, both as individuals and as contributing citizens of a greater community. The Fellowship program offers customized professional development workshops and trainings designed to help Fellows develop their communication skills with other scientists, as well as learn effective ways to educate and engage the public.
The program policies and guidelines are set by The Brinson Foundation, which administers the program. STScI provides logistical assistance for the program to broaden community access to this opportunity. Three fellowships are planned to be awarded this cycle, with starting dates in 2026. Fellowships will be held at a limited number of participating institutions.  A fellowship application consists of a research proposal and supporting documentation, as outlined below. Applicants must have received a PhD or equivalent doctoral-level research degree in astronomy, physics, or a related discipline. The date of the PhD award should be on or after January 1, 2022.

Eligibility

Graduate-student awardees who have not yet received their doctoral degree at the time of application must present evidence of having completed all requirements for the degree before commencing their fellowships.The Brinson Prize Fellowship is now available to citizens from all countries.