Published in the Research School of Physics Event Horizon
Vol43 Issue76 2–6 July 2018

Dear Marnie, 

The Schmidt Science Fellows Program has just launched the nomination and application process for the next round of Fellows for commencement in 2019-2020.  

The quality of nominations and applications was outstanding and we were thrilled to be able to announce the first Fellows in April at a ceremony in New York.

We have now opened the nominations process for the second class of Schmidt Science Fellows, for commencement in 2019-2020 and we are aiming to increase the number of fellowships we award. The selection of initial applicants will continue to take place through nomination from the world’s leading science institutions and the Schmidt Science Fellows Program would value nominations from Australian National University. We are inviting your institution to nominate your 5 most outstanding PhD graduates in the natural sciences, mathematics, and computing with high potential for scientific excellence and leadership.

Our aim is to provide the world’s best emerging scientists with new perspectives, skills and networks so they can develop novel solutions to society’s challenges. Global problems do not follow discipline boundaries and, therefore, require interdisciplinary science approaches to find solutions. The Schmidt Science Fellows Program has a unique interdisciplinary emphasis and aims to expand the horizons of the next generation of leaders and innovators in the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, and computing. We want to enhance the ability of the world’s most promising new scientists to develop cutting-edge research, and equip them with the skills to serve as leaders in their fields and in society. 

Nominations are welcome for your most outstanding, intellectually first-rate PhD students in the natural sciences and computing due who will complete their PhDs by July 2019. Successful Fellows are expected to combine scientific curiosity with extraordinary academic achievement. They should have demonstrated a collaborative spirit and have the ambition to make a lasting impact in science and in society, conducting research and pursuing knowledge that will benefit the world.

Fellows receive a stipend of $100,000 and are supported by the Program to undertake a full-time, 11-month or longer postdoctoral study in a world-leading laboratory in a field different from their existing area of expertise. Fellows also spend five weeks during their fellowship year at four residential meetings around the globe. In these meetings the fellows are introduced to new research ideas, techniques and questions and are exposed to a wide-range of leading thinkers and institutions. The meetings also begin to foster a lifelong Schmidt Science Fellows community.

The Program is supported by the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, in partnership with the Rhodes Trust. 

The institutional nominations process is open1 June to 31 August 2018. This will be followed by a window for nominated candidates to make individual applications by 30 November 2018. We expect to undertake candidate shortlisting, screening, and selection in early 2019.

Last year I was in touch with Karen Warnes the Executive Director for Research and Innovation. I have sent her an email two weeks ago and I am yet to hear from her. 

I will be grateful if you could help me get in touch with the appropriate authority, who will be possibly be handling the nominations for this year. Your email address was given to me by Mr. Alasdair Maclay, the Director of Strategy and Development at the Rhodes Trust.

Please do not hesitate to contact myself or our team with any questions – email:info@schmidtsciencefellows.org,

Kind regards,

Fafa

Director of Strategy & Development

The Rhodes Trust, Oxford OX1 3RG

Tel:     + 44 1865 270 956

Mobile: +44 7950 235 110

Read the latest from Rhodes Scholar Blog

UK Registered Charity Nos. 232492, 314199, 1159648