Hertz Graduate Fellowship Grant

The Hertz Graduate Fellowship is a prestigious program that supports exceptional doctoral students in applied sciences, engineering, and mathematics. With funding up to $250,000 over five years, it empowers students to pursue innovative research and solutions for pressing societal challenges. Alongside financial assistance, fellows gain access to a robust network of over 1,200 peers and lifelong professional support, enhancing their academic and career trajectories through valuable connections and opportunities.

The Hertz Fellowship is not a prize for past achievement—it’s an investment in the future.
The Hertz Fellowship provides financial and lifelong professional support for the nation’s most promising doctoral students in the applied sciences, engineering and mathematics. Awarded through a rigorous selection process honed over seven decades, Hertz Fellows receive up to five years of funding and join an influential community dedicated to solving our most pressing challenges.
What Makes the Hertz Fellowship Unique?
Freedom to pursue bold ideas.
You'll receive five years of funding, valued at up to $250,000, and the freedom to pursue innovative ideas wherever they may lead.
A powerful, connected community of peers.
You'll join a diverse community of more than 1,200 peers, creating lifelong connections that will accelerate your career.
Lifelong professional support.
You'll be invited to special events throughout your career, including scientific symposia, professional development workshops, and social networking opportunities.
Compensation
The Hertz Fellowship compensation package includes a cost-of-education allowance and a personal stipend valued at up to $250,000.
Fellows have two options for receiving their fellowship compensation.
Option 2: Coordination with Another Awarding Institution
If you receive a fellowship, scholarship, or grant offer from another funding entity, we’ll coordinate with that organization or institution to make sure you can take advantage of each offer and receive the maximum possible compensation.
Example: Three year fellowship with the National Science Foundation (NSF)
Hertz Foundation period: Full tuition equivalent and $44,000/nine-month personal stipend
NSF period: $9,000/year supplemental stipend from Hertz Foundation
Fields of Study
Hertz Fellowships are awarded to graduate students pursuing a PhD in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics or engineering.
We do not award fellowships based on an applicant’s particular field of study; however, we do require that applicants direct their work toward understanding and solving major, near-term problems facing society. For each applicant, that could mean something different — inventing a new technology, developing a business or applying their interests in innovative ways.
It’s up to the applicant to advocate for their specific field of study and demonstrate how it will be applied to address real-world challenges with the greatest impact. Visit the Hertz Fellows Directory to learn more about their interests.
Participating Schools
The Hertz Foundation has agreements in place with more than 50 universities to allow students to quickly and seamlessly accept their Hertz Fellowships while pursuing PhD studies at one of the following schools.
he Hertz Foundation has established a standard agreement with graduate schools at the following institutions to coordinate paying the stipend, tuition, and other costs for our fellows via a 9-month stipend model. If you’re awarded a fellowship and your school is not on the list of participating schools, you may ask to have it added to the list, and we’ll do our best to work with your school to negotiate an agreement. Fellows may also change to another participating school at any time during their fellowship.
IMPORTANT: You do not need to be currently enrolled in one of the participating schools to apply to the Hertz Fellowship.

Eligibility

All eligible applicants must:be college seniors, first-year graduate students, or in a gap period preparing to apply to graduate school;intend to pursue a full-time, in-person PhD in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics or engineering at an institution in the United States;intend to direct their studies toward understanding and solving major, near-term problems facing society; andbe citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Ineligibility

We do not award fellowships to applicants pursuing professional degrees other than a PhD, such as an MD, JD, MBA, DPH, or DVM. However, we will support the PhD portion of an MD/PhD program.We do not award fellowships based on an applicant’s particular field of study; however, we do require that applicants direct their work toward understanding and solving major, near-term problems facing society. For each applicant, that could mean something different—inventing a new technology, developing a business, or applying their interests in innovative ways.