Physics funding

PhD in physics or a related field awarded within seven years.

Regular faculty in non-doctoral departments at eligible nonprofit institutions, with institutional PI certification and authority to supervise undergraduates. Appointment must cover the award. One eligible co-PI is permitted; applicants cannot hold another active PRF research grant.

Assistant professors or equivalent at US non-doctoral departments, normally within five years of their first regular faculty appointment, with PhD requirements completed. Institutional PI approval and authority to supervise undergraduates are required. Existing active PRF award holders cannot apply.

U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents pursuing an eligible research-based STEM master’s or doctorate at an accredited nonprofit U.S. institution. Eligible stages include final-year undergraduates, bachelor’s holders with no graduate enrollment, eligible joint bachelor’s–master’s students, and first-year graduate students with less than one academic year completed. Second-year graduate students are ineligible. Degree, field and proposed-research exclusions apply.

English-speaking applicants of any nationality with a doctorate in astronomy, physics or a related discipline completed on or after 1 January 2023, or completed before taking up the fellowship. A US host must meet NHFP employment-policy requirements and institutional allocation limits.

Open to any nationality with a completed PhD and no more than six years of actual postdoctoral research experience at the deadline, allowing career breaks and part-time adjustments. Applicants must show a current need for flexibility, such as primary caring responsibilities or a clinically diagnosed health condition. Tenure-track, permanent and proleptic postholders, and researchers who hold or previously held an equivalent UK independent-group fellowship, are ineligible. The host must be an eligible UK higher-education, research-council, nonprofit research or public-sector research institution.

US citizens or permanent residents who will be first- or second-year PhD students in fall 2027, undertaking a full-time, in-person US PhD addressing major near-term societal problems. The PhD portion of an MD/PhD can qualify.

Senior scholars with a PhD and at least ten years of sustained research. This is not a postdoctoral programme.

PhD normally within four years, or the specified medical qualification/clinical pathway; at least 12 months of postdoctoral or post-medical research. Applicants must have Swiss nationality, a qualifying Swiss degree, or at least 12 months of qualifying post-degree research/clinical work in Switzerland. Full regulations and extension rules apply.

Applicants need a PhD or equivalent, a permanent post at a UK university or eligible nonprofit research institution, and a well-established independent research programme. They must not have received a total of one year or more of sabbatical or other teaching/administration relief in the three years before application. Other recent funding must not duplicate the requested relief. The fellowship is held at the applicant’s own UK institution.

Accredited US HBCUs apply and nominate up to four junior tenure-track faculty, including qualifying new recruits. Nominees need a position or formal offer by the full-application stage, evidence of an active research program and senior mentorship. This is an institutional application, not a direct individual fellowship application. Simons/Flatiron employees cannot receive funded personnel support.

An accredited US HBCU or academic institute within an HBCU applies. The director must be tenured, hold a PhD and have active scholarship comparable to associate/full professor level. Minimum center composition includes three faculty, two graduate students and two postdocs. Simons/Flatiron employees cannot receive funded personnel support.

Applicants must identify as Black heritage, including the specified mixed Black backgrounds, and be UK nationals or have completed part of a UK undergraduate, masters or PhD degree or held a UK postdoctoral position. A PhD must be completed by the fellowship start; final-year doctoral applicants may apply with supervisor support. Less than 24 months of full-time postdoctoral experience is permitted at the deadline, with career-break adjustments. An eligible UK higher-education, research-council, nonprofit research or public-sector research host is required; permanent posts are ineligible.

Canadian university applicants and co-applicants must hold an active NSERC peer-reviewed grant as primary applicant; overseas collaborators must be university faculty with their own funding.

The coordinator must hold a PhD and work at an Austrian member institution. Include at least one Austrian and one African member, all with 2026 fees paid. Participants must be PhD students or graduates. One proposal per coordinator; institutional endorsements and own funding are required.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents or Protected Persons; eligible research graduate programme at an allocated Canadian institution. Normally 0–12 months of study by December 31; specific transition rules apply. First-class grades normally required, with institutional discretion. Prior agency master’s awards and specified Indigenous master’s awards exclude eligibility; only one CRTAS application per academic year.

Researchers of any nationality with 5–15 years since their certified successful PhD defence, subject to the 2027 call reference date and permitted extensions. A committed host in an eligible EU Member State or associated country must support an independent research team.

Postdoc route: PhD within four years, or completion within six months. Experienced route: PhD within twelve years and an independent profile. Requires an eligible host and reviews. Previous Humboldt sponsorship excludes application; nationality, German-system integration and mobility conditions apply.

Habilitation or equivalent professorial qualification and an outstanding research record. German tenure-track professors, permanent W2/W3-equivalent postholders and researchers abroad already holding full professorships are ineligible.

Outstanding doctorate, normally two years of postdoctoral experience and application within four years of the PhD; six years for licensed medicine/psychology applicants and permitted extensions apply. Substantial international research experience is required. Applicants already qualified for a professorship or holding equivalent group funding are excluded.