FUNDING MEMO

Title: 2022 Schmidt Science Fellows - Limited Opportunity - 7 Nominations

Funding Agency: Schmidt Science Fellows and Rhodes Trust

Internal Deadline: 05/07/2021 05:00 PM PDT

External Deadline(s):

07/01/2021 02:00 PM PDT (Pre-Proposal)
08/31/2021 02:00 PM PDT (Full Proposal)

Cognizant Office: Office of Foundation Relations

Description:

Note: Please see important information regarding the internal selection process for nominees to this limited opportunity in the Pre-proposal Requirements section below.

Schmidt Science Fellows is an initiative of Schmidt Futures, delivered in partnership with the Rhodes Trust. The program's vision is to give the world's best aspiring scientific minds a broader perspective, the ability to engage in an interdisciplinary way, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on society. Fellows are supported to pursue a postdoctoral placement at a world-leading laboratory anywhere in the world in a disciplinary pivot from their PhD. During their Fellowship, they also participate in a varied and challenging Global Meeting Series that introduces new research ideas, techniques, and questions, in addition to a tailored training program.

Frequency: Typically annual

Total Award: $100,000 to $200,000

• $100,000 per year stipend to support personal and living costs for the duration of the Fellowship placement

Indirect Costs:

• Fellows receive the stipend directly, and thus may be subject to tax liability

Duration: 1-2 years

• Effective from the 2021 cohort onwards, Fellows will have the option of a 12–24-month research placement from the outset
• Placement begins July - October 2022

Discipline(s): Biology and Biological Engineering; Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Engineering and Applied Science; Geological and Planetary Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy

Eligibility: Grad Student, Postdoc

• Candidates must have:
  • Have conducted their graduate degree in the natural sciences (Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Sciences), Engineering, Mathematics, or Computing – and all sub-disciplines therein
  • Have completed, or expect to complete, all of the requirements for the conferral of their
    PhD in one of these fields between 01 June 2021 and 30 July 2022
  • Be available for the entire period of the 2022 program, from July 2022 to September 2023 including attendance of the Global Meeting Series (whether virtual or in person, as conditions allow, and including additional virtual programming)
• The following are key qualities in a successful applicant: scientific curiosity; extraordinary achievement; scientific curiosity and innovation; alignment with the program; collaborative spirit; character and leadership; and global ambition for social good
• Research placements are not restricted to any group of institutions. Schmidt Science Fellows may choose to complete their Fellowship at a laboratory of their choice, subject to program approval and assurance that the host organization meets the Fellows individual training and research needs

Research Areas of Interest:

• Natural sciences (Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences), Engineering, Mathematics, or Computing
• Schmidt Science Fellows are encouraged and supported to take an ambitious scientific risk when considering their postdoctoral placement. Their proposed research pivot should represent a genuine, ambitious and innovative disciplinary departure from their PhD studies, with a clear goal towards gaining new skills in a new area and establishing field-leading interdisciplinary lines of research with potential for high reward and societal impact

Post-Award Obligations:

• TBD

Recent Caltech Recipients:

• Ahmad Omar (2019)

Guidelines & Other Information:

Overview (2021): https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/overview/ (2022 to be posted later this spring)

Selection (2021): https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/selection/ (2022 to be posted later this spring)

Past Recipients: https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/fellows/

Pre-Proposal Requirements:

This is a limited opportunity- Caltech may nominate up to seven candidates. Nominations should include the candidates' names along with a brief description of their qualifications. Please submit nominations to your Division Chair for consideration by May 7, 2021. Please submit nominations to the following:

Please direct any questions in advance of nomination to Nelly Khidekel in the Office of Foundation Relations at [email protected] .

Please notify the Foundation Relations team if you anticipate making a submission or if you have any questions regarding this opportunity. We are here to help ensure that Caltech’s proposals are competitive. We can assist with proposal development and advise you on the routing of your paperwork. Interested researchers should work with their division grant manager to prepare the budget, the MORA form, and the Division Approval Form (DAF). Submissions and awards for this grant program will be processed through the Office of Foundation Relations.

Opportunity ID: 689