Simons Foundation - 2024 Pivot Fellowships

The Pivot Fellowship program will support researchers who have a strong track record of success and achievement in their current field, and a deep interest, curiosity and drive to make contributions to a new discipline. The fellowship will enable today’s brightest minds to apply their talent and expertise to a new field and will consist of one training year where the fellow will be embedded in a lab of a mentor to learn the new discipline and its culture. Mentorship and support are essential for learning a new discipline and culture. In addition to the qualifications and potential of the applicant, the suitability of the mentor and the environment for mentorship will be strongly considered in the application process.

At the end of the fellowship year, fellows will be invited to apply for a research award in their new field for up to $1.5 million, including indirect costs, over five (5) years.

Duration:     12 months

Funding:       Salary support for the fellow +
                        $10K for fellow’s research/travel +
                        $50K for mentor’s research          

Eligibility: Fellows and mentors (any nationality) must hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree in the natural sciences (astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, neuroscience and physics), engineering, mathematics, data science or computer science — and all sub-disciplines therein — and be faculty (i.e. permanent, long-term positions at the level of faculty. Judged on a case-by-case basis) at an academic institution (any country) or hold an equivalent position. Fellows must demonstrate that the fellowship will take place in a new discipline, distinct from their current field of study, within astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, neuroscience, physics or mathematics — and all sub-disciplines therein. In order to receive the fellowship, fellows must be approved by their institution for a full year of leave. Fellows must not hold any other fellowship that will provide them with salary support during the training year of the Pivot Fellowship. Fellows and mentors can be at the same institution, incl. their home institution.

How to Apply: Applicants must apply through Simons Award Manager (SAM).

Application Deadline: 15 May 2024

Further information:

• Institutional approval will be required, please reach out to the Research Office
• More information about the program is available here and the FAQ is here
• The application portal can be found here.
• For any other questions, please contact the Research Office.