Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering Grant

Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The David And Lucile Packard Foundation
Amount: US $875,000
Last Updated: March 04, 2026

Summary

The Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering provide essential funding to early-career scientists and engineers, enabling them to explore innovative research avenues without the constraints of traditional funding. Each year, 50 universities can nominate two promising faculty members for these fellowships, which support a diverse range of disciplines, including physics, biology, and engineering. Established in 1988 by the Packard Foundation, this initiative underscores the importance of academic research in driving societal advancements.

Overview

NOTE:  The "pre-proposal deadline" is the deadline for invited institutions to submit their two Packard Fellowship nominations to the foundation. Interested faculty: please ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and contact your university’s Office of Sponsored Research or Department Chair for inquiries about your institution’s internal nomination process & deadline. Once nominees have been identified by the foundation, the nominee must submit all application materials by the "full proposal" deadline above. Background Providing the nation’s most promising early-career scientists and engineers with flexible funding and the freedom to take risks and explore new frontiers in their fields of study. Each year, the Foundation invites the presidents of 50 universities to nominate two early-career professors each from their institutions. Disciplines that are considered include physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, astronomy, computer science, earth science, ocean science, and all branches of engineering. In 1988, the Packard Foundation established the Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering to allow the nation’s most promising professors to pursue science and engineering research early in their careers with few funding restrictions and limited reporting requirements. The program arose out of David Packard’s commitment to strengthening university-based science and engineering programs in recognition that the success of the Hewlett-Packard Company, which he cofounded, derived in large measure from the research and development in university laboratories. From unraveling the mysteries of aging, to studying emerging virus strains for rapid detection and prevention, to better understanding the physics of insect flight, research performed in university laboratories has the ability to profoundly impact our lives. Packard Fellows are encouraged to think big and look at complex issues with a fresh perspective. The Foundation has few paperwork requirements, and Fellows may use their funds in whatever way would best advance their research.

Eligibility

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