2026 Sloan Research Fellowships

Important Notes

FY 2026 Selected Candidates:

Note: Due to the competitive nature of this funding program, this selection process is running with an anticipated deadline. We will keep all applicants informed of relevant updates in the guidelines, submission deadlines, and eligibility as soon as more information becomes available.

The Sloan Research Fellowship Program recognizes and rewards outstanding early-career faculty who have the potential to revolutionize their fields of study. Successful candidates for a Fellowship generally have a strong record of significant independent research accomplishments that demonstrate creativity and the potential to become future leaders in the scientific community. Nominated candidates are normally several years past the completion of their Ph.D. in order to accumulate a competitive record of independent, significant research.

In keeping with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's longstanding support of underrepresented scholars in the sciences, the Foundation strongly encourages the nomination of qualified Black, Latinx, Native American, Alaska Native and women candidates.

Successful candidates receive a $75,000 fellowship awarded to the candidate's institution to be used over a two-year period for for any expense judged supportive of the fellow’s research including staffing, professional travel, lab expenses, equipment, or summer salary support. Fellowship funds may not be used for indirect costs or overhead charges.

Fellows are selected on the basis of their independent research accomplishments, creativity, and potential to become leaders in the scientific community through their contributions to their field.

Eligibility Requirements

• Hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) degree in chemistry, computer science, Earth system science, economics, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, or a related field.
• Be members of the faculty of a college, university, or other degree-granting institution in the U.S. or Canada;
• Be tenure-track, though untenured, as of September 15, of the nomination year
• And the candidate’s faculty position must carry a regular teaching obligation.

Sloan Research Fellowship Fields
Fellowships are awarded for scholars whose research is in one of the seven SRF fields. If you’re in an engineering department, but doing chemistry, you are eligible for a fellowship in chemistry. If you’re in a business school, but doing economics, you are eligible for a fellowship in economics.

• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth System Science
• Economics
• Mathematics
• Neuroscience
• Physics

For more information or questions, visit: https://sloan.org/fellowships/faq

Questions concerning the application process and other foundation-related questions should be directed to:

• Any faculty from IST and Engineering should consult with Andrew Kuhn, PhD.,(auk553@psu.edu) Assoc. Director of Foundation Relations
• Any from EMS and Eberly College of Science should consult with Karen Kemirembe, PhD., (kuk195@psu.edu) Assoc. Director of Foundation Relations
• Everyone else should consult with Jara Dorsey-Lash (jed72@psu.edu), Executive Director of Foundation Relations

This announcement provides only opportunity highlights. Please carefully review the program guidelines and the sponsor's website for any requirements and expectations related to eligibility, PI and Co-PI limits, budget, collaboration, priority research areas, letter of intent requirements, and review criteria before submitting to this internal competition.