Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships

Description: Graduate Fellowships of the Hertz Foundation are widely considered to be among the most prestigious offered anywhere. The Foundation's standing policy is that they will be structured to be the most attractive in their class in both material terms and duration of tenure. The Hertz Foundation's Graduate Fellowship award, which is based on merit (not need) consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a personal-support stipend. The cost-of-education allowance is accepted by all of the tenable schools in lieu of all fees and tuition. Hertz Fellows therefore have no liability for any ordinary educational costs, regardless of their choice among tenable schools.
Dollar Value: Successful applicants have the choice of two Fellowship options:
  • Option 1 - Five Year Hertz ~ $31,000/9-month personal stipend; Full tuition equivalent; Renewable annually for up to 5 years
  • Option 2 - Five-Year Coordinated: This option requires awardee to accept a 3-year Fellowship from another source. Hertz Period—Two Years—$36,000/9-month personal stipend; Full tuition equivalent; plus Other Fellowship Period—Up to Three Years—a $3,500/ year supplemental stipend from Hertz.
Number of Scholarships: Around 20 per year.
Eligibility:
  • U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • Graduating seniors wishing to pursue the Ph.D. degree as well as current graduate students
  • Students working towards the Ph.D. degree in the applied physical sciences and engineering sciences, as well as those aspects of modem biology which apply the physical sciences intensively.
  • The Scholarship does not support students pursuing advanced professional degrees other than the Ph.D., such as enrollees in M.D., LLD or MBA programs, although it will support the Ph.D. portion of a joint M.D./Ph.D. study program.
Application Procedures: The annual competition for Graduate Fellowships begins with the application period, which opens each year in August at which time a deadline consistent with those of NSF and other fellowship granting organizations will be posted. Applications are submitted through an online application process.
Deadline: Fall 2013
Contact:
Fannie and John Hertz Foundation
2456 Research Drive
Livermore, CA 94550-3850
Phone: 925-373-1642
Fax: 925-373-6329

Frequently asked questions

Are 1st year grad students eligible for the Fannie & John Hertz Fellowship?
Yes, they are still eligible to apply as a first year grad student. Please refer to the application for specifics on the tenable school choice.
Can a graduate student still apply if they cannot transfer schools?
They can still apply, but the system requires them list a tenable school choice. If the first choice of graduate school is not presently a Hertz tenable school, there is a point on the application where this school's name can be entered. Applicants can expected to concisely defend this unconstrained choice later in the application, indicating what this school offers that is not offered by any of the tenable schools.
Can letters written on the candidates' behalf in a non-Hertz format be submitted?
The Foundation expects each of the Referees will use the format to submit their information, answering all of the specific questions. The Foundation can accept the existing letters that are mention as supplemental information only. The applicant should register the four references using the system provided. If there are additional recommenders that would like to submit a paper application, contact the Foundation and a PDF form can be sent to the recommender.
Will additional recommendations be accepted after the deadline?
The Foundation will continue to accept recommendations after the deadline, but they may not be considered in the decisions of which applicants to interview. Those decisions are made in the first two weeks in November.
When can candidates expect to hear back from the foundation regarding their application?
Interviewees will be selected by mid-November. Applicants should hear from the Foundation regarding your status before the end of the year.
Is it OK to use GRE scores for the exam that will be taken in November?
The Foundation will continue to accept GREs after the deadline. Initial interview decisions will be made in mid-November. Every Fellowship applicant is required to take at least the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination and to have the results sent to the Foundation. The Foundation ID is #4366. We accept subject test scores, but do not require them.
Would an applicant have to finish the Masters before applying for a Fellowship?
The Master's work is a part of the Fellowship as long as it is an integral part of a program to obtain a PhD.
Is a first year PhD student still eligible for a Hertz Fellowship?
First year PhD students are generally beyond the first year of graduate school; unless the MS degree was awarded at the same time as your BS, BA, or equivalent. Note that Hertz Fellowships are rarely granted to students beyond their first year of graduate school, and then only in cases of "exceptional leverage" (Leverage meaning what difference the award of the Hertz Fellowship is likely to make in the kind, quality, and/or personal creativity of the student's graduate research.) The transcript page in the application, which asks for the degree(s) earned at the schools listed, is the place to enter the Masters degree information.
Are grants offered to non-Americans?
Eligible applicants for Hertz Fellowships must be students of the applied physical sciences or engineering who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States of America.