Overview
A postdoctoral fellowship for scientists developing astronomical instrumentation for astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology and planetary science, with research hosted at one of six specified U.S. institutions.
Complete fellowship details
The fellowship funds salary, benefits and a discretionary research fund for four years, with an optional one-year extension. Beginning in year two, fellows may apply for an Innovation Grant of up to US$150,000. The 2026–2027 host institutions are Carnegie Science (California or DC), W. M. Keck Observatory, University of Arizona, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego and UC Santa Cruz.
Eligibility requirements
Exceptional postdoctoral scientists pursuing astronomical instrumentation research. Applicants must plan a coherent research programme at one of the six host institutions listed by the Foundation for the 2026–2027 cycle. Consult the official guidelines for the complete degree timing and eligibility rules.
Tips for this fellowship
Practical Job and Scholarship guidance. These tips do not replace official rules or create new eligibility requirements.
- Confirm fit with one of the six eligible host institutions and align the proposal with instrumentation design, development, fabrication, characterization, testing or commissioning.
- Check eligibility, funding coverage, study/project level and every required document before investing time in the application.
- Prepare transcripts, references, language tests, proposal/motivation statement and proof documents early.
- Separate the scholarship deadline from any university/program admission deadline; they may be different.
- Treat “fully funded” as a source fact only when the official provider explicitly confirms the covered costs.
Verification notes
Verified on the Heising-Simons Foundation's official Astronova programme page and current 14 Jul 2026 application announcement on 2 Sep 2026. Deadline is 2 Oct 2026 at 2:00 PM Pacific Time. Exact base fellowship dollar total is not stated on the programme page, so no total funding amount is inferred.
Job and Scholarship is the discovery and verification layer. Confirm eligibility, dates, salary/funding and application instructions on the original source before submitting anything.
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