Mourning the passing of Professor Emeritus Bud Homsy

Schmidt Science Fellowships

The Schmidt Science Fellows program provides the world’s best emerging scientists with new skills and perspectives to develop novel solutions to society’s challenges, become scientific and societal thought leaders, and accelerate ground-breaking discoveries.  The program is looking for the brightest minds in the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computing who are interested in broadening their horizons.  Fellows receive a stipend of $100,000 USD per year and are supported to pursue a one to two year postdoctoral placement at a world-leading laboratory anywhere in the world in a disciplinary pivot from their PhD.  Fellows also benefit from a Global Meeting Series and personalized mentoring program.

UBC is one of select group of the world’s leading science and engineering institutions that are invited to nominate students to the international competition.  In 2023, 32 Schmidt Science Fellows were selected to be recipients globally.

Eligibility: In order to be eligible for nomination and potential selection as a Schmidt Science Fellow, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Must have completed, or expect to complete, all the requirements for the conferral of their UBC PhD, including a successful defense, between May 15, 2024 and June 30, 2025.  Please note that prospective UBC students are not eligible for nomination.
• 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
• Be available for the entire period of the 2025 program, from July 2025 to September 2026 including attendance of the Global Meeting Series (whether virtual or in person, as conditions allow, and including additional virtual programming).

Each UBC graduate program is invited to submit one nomination to the university-wide competition. Given the highly competitive nature of this opportunity, graduate programs should nominate only an exceptional individual who will stand out amongst top applicants from around the world.

Value: $100,000 USD per year, for up to two years

Application: A complete application will consist of the following, submitted as PDF documents attached to a single email, sent to admissions@mech.ubc.ca no later than Tuesday, April 10, 2024 at 8:00AM:

• CV, including publications (maximum three pages)
• A brief description of your PhD research (maximum one page)
• Personal Statement (maximum one page):
  • Description of your leadership qualities, addressing the following two points: (a) character and leadership (genuine and demonstrable potential for science leadership; displaying perseverance, resilience, a moral compass, and a galvanizing force of personality) and (b) global ambition for social good (desire to use your personal talents and science to make a positive difference in society and the world)
• Fellowship Research Proposal (maximum two pages), addressing the following points:
  • Description of your proposed postdoctoral research direction, that represents a genuine, ambitious and innovative disciplinary departure from your 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.
    • When writing your proposal, please include the following two points: (a) alignment with the Schmidt Science Fellows program (i.e., interest in pursuing 12-24 months of postdoctoral study in a field different from your PhD discipline and a belief that interdisciplinary science and the taking of appropriate scientific risks are important for the advancement of discovery) and (b) collaborative spirit (i.e., demonstrated history of effective collaboration with diverse team members.
• Options for placement (maximum one page):
  • Three short outlines of potential labs in which you may carry out this research.
    • Note that you do not have to contact the labs or secure a position at this time.
    • The options you present are not final and binding
• One letter of support (maximum 2 pages).  The letter should be signed and on letterhead (where possible).  The letter should address the evaluation criteria.
  • The referee should be able to speak convincingly to your future potential, not just your current abilities.

Presentation standards of documents: 10 point Arial font, or equivalent.

For further information about the opportunity, including detailed eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and application procedures, please visit our webpage: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/schmidt-science-fellowships.

Should you have any questions in regards to this funding opportunity, please contact Bree Wilson (bree.wilson@ubc.ca) and cc admissions@mech.ubc.ca.