NASA Hubble Fellowships 2027 Opens for International Researchers
The NASA Hubble Fellowship Program 2027 is open for early-career astrophysics researchers worldwide who completed, or will complete, a relevant PhD from January 1, 2023 onward. This is not a degree scholarship for Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD students. It is a paid postdoctoral fellowship allowing selected researchers to lead an independent NASA-relevant project at an eligible U.S. institution. NASA expects to offer up to 24 fellowships for the 2027 cohort.
What Is the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program?
The NASA Hubble Fellowship Program, or NHFP, is a prestigious U.S. postdoctoral research opportunity for scientists working in astrophysics. It supports independent theoretical, observational and instrumental research that contributes to NASA Astrophysics.
Selected candidates are named Einstein, Hubble or Sagan Fellows according to the central scientific question their research addresses. These are not separate fellowships, separate funding packages or separate application routes. Applicants submit one NHFP application, and the programme assigns the final designation after selection.
- Einstein Fellows: “How does the Universe work?”
- Hubble Fellows: “How did we get here?”
- Sagan Fellows: “Are we alone?”
What Does NASA Hubble Fellowship 2027 Cover?
The NHFP provides paid employment-level research support, not tuition funding for a university degree. The official programme confirms salary support and benefits for up to three years, plus an allowance for travel and other research costs.
- Salary support through the U.S. host institution;
- Benefits, including health insurance coverage for the fellow and eligible dependents under programme policy;
- Funding for professional travel and research-related costs;
- An initial one-year appointment with up to two annual renewals;
- Independent research experience at an eligible U.S. host institution.
NASA has not published one universal public salary figure for every host institution in this call. Applicants should therefore avoid relying on unofficial stipend estimates. Funding is administered through the successful fellow’s host institution and remains subject to available NASA funds.
Who Can Apply for NASA Hubble Fellowship 2027?
You can apply if you are an English-speaking researcher of any nationality with a recent doctorate in astronomy, physics or a related discipline. The fellowship is globally open, but the research must be conducted through an eligible U.S. host institution.
- You must have earned your PhD on or after January 1, 2023, or complete all doctoral requirements before starting the fellowship.
- Your doctorate must be in astronomy, physics or a related field.
- You must select and justify eligible U.S. host institutions.
- You must be able to complete the PhD before beginning the appointment.
- Current or former NHFP fellows are not eligible to apply again.
International applicants may apply, but a fellowship offer does not remove U.S. immigration requirements. Non-U.S. awardees must obtain and maintain a valid visa for the fellowship period. NASA fellowship funding does not cover visa application, renewal or legal costs.
Documents Required for NHFP 2027 Application
The NASA Hubble Fellowship application is evaluated primarily on your independent research potential, research record and ability to explain why your project matters to NASA Astrophysics. Submit the following through the official online application form:
- Completed NHFP application form;
- Curriculum vitae;
- List of publications;
- Research overview with a summary of previous and current research;
- Research proposal clearly connected to NASA Astrophysics;
- References at the end of the research overview;
- Reference letters submitted separately by your referees.
The research overview is limited to eight pages including tables and figures; references placed at the end do not count toward that limit. Do not upload reprints, preprints, cover letters, cover sheets or extra unrequested documents.
How to Apply for NASA Hubble Fellowship Program 2027
Start by selecting a U.S. host institution where your project can be supported, then develop an independent proposal rather than simply adapting your PhD supervisor’s research plan. The practical application process is:
- Read the official 2027 NHFP Announcement of Opportunity and eligibility rules.
- Review the list of eligible and verified U.S. host institutions.
- Choose a first-choice and second-choice host institution.
- Contact an appropriate faculty researcher or prospective faculty contact at your preferred host institution.
- Prepare a proposal that explains both your specialized research plan and its wider relevance to NASA Astrophysics.
- Upload your CV, publication list and research overview as PDFs through the official NHFP application portal.
- Enter clear justifications for your first- and second-choice host institutions in the required application fields.
- Ask referees early to submit their letters before the separate deadline.
For 2027, applicants are also asked to disclose any use of AI while preparing their materials. The programme states that this disclosure is for NASA awareness only and will not be used to review or rank applications.
When Will NASA Hubble Fellows Be Selected?
NASA expects to make fellowship offers in early February 2027 after applications are reviewed between November 2026 and January 2027. Appointments can begin from August 1, 2027, with September 1 expected to be the usual starting point. The latest permitted start date is January 1, 2028.
Application Deadline for NASA Hubble Fellowship Program 2027
The last date to apply for the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program 2027 is October 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (4:00 PM Pacific Time / 23:00 UTC). Reference letters are due separately by November 4, 2026. Applicants should not wait until the final week because host-institution discussions, proposal refinement and referee coordination require substantial preparation.