Simons Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Evolution 2026

The Simons Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Evolution 2026 provide up to $265,800 in grant funding for Ph.D. students conducting research in ecology and evolution, with a focus on interdisciplinary projects.

What it offers

• Total award: $265,800, including indirect costs (limited to 20% of modified total direct costs).
• Duration: Maximum of three years of financial support usable over a five-year fellowship period.
• Fellowship must be hosted at a U.S. institution and the fellow must maintain enrollment throughout the award period.

Who can apply

• Applicants must be entering or applying for Ph.D. programs in biology or a life sciences subfield during summer or fall 2026, with matriculation starting no later than October 1, 2027.
• Applicants may already hold a master’s degree, and holding a master’s in physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering is encouraged.
• Individuals who already hold a Ph.D. or have enrolled in a Ph.D. program in ecology or evolution prior to summer 2026 are not eligible.
• No citizenship requirements; fellows must obtain and maintain appropriate visa status if applicable.
• Simons Foundation employees receiving a W-2 may not apply as principal investigators.

What you'll do

• Conduct research in ecology and evolution, with particular interest in interdisciplinary projects that link ecology and evolution to other STEM fields (e.g., physics, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, genetics).

How to apply

• Submit a letter of intent (LOI) by June 30, 2026, 12:00 p.m. Eastern time via the Simons Award Manager (SAM) system.
• Applications must be submitted by the prospective fellow.

Good to know

• Individuals may not receive salary support from this fellowship concurrently with salary support from any other source.