Are you an accomplished researcher looking to pivot into a new scientific discipline? The Pivot Fellowship 2025, offered by the Simons Foundation, provides a unique opportunity for distinguished faculty members to expand their expertise into a different field. This prestigious program is designed to support scientists with a strong track record in their current field who have a deep curiosity and drive to contribute to a new area of research.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, both fellows and mentors must:
- Hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, data science, or computer science.
- Be faculty members at an academic institution or hold an equivalent research position.
- Ensure that the fellowship focuses on a discipline distinct from their current field (within astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, neuroscience, physics, or mathematics).
- Obtain approval from their institution for a full year of leave to participate in the program.
- Not hold any other fellowship with salary support during the training year.
Fellowship Benefits
The Pivot Fellowship provides:
- One year of salary support covering the fellow’s academic-year salary (whether normally paid over nine or 12 months).
- A $10,000 allowance for research, travel, and professional development during the fellowship year.
- $50,000 in research funding for the mentor, which can be used for salary support, equipment, supplies, travel, tuition, and other research expenses.
- An opportunity to apply for a post-fellowship research award of up to $1.5 million (plus indirect costs) over five years.
Application Process & Important Dates
The application process for the Pivot Fellowship 2025 begins on March 3, 2025 here https://www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/pivot-fellowship/. Interested candidates must submit their applications by the final deadline of May 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in Fall 2025. Once awarded, the fellowship must be activated within 18 months of the award notification.
