Join us
We welcome curious people from physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Prior experience with programming or simulation helps, but motivation and a strong background in math and science matter most. Below is how to join as a Ph.D. or master's student, postdoc, undergraduate or visitor, with MSU programs and their deadlines, and the external fellowships that can support you.
Ph.D. students
Admission to Ph.D. programs at MSU is handled by the departments, so the first step is to apply to one of the MSU graduate programs below and to mention your interest in the Mendoza Lab in your statement of purpose. Our home programs are Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, but students from Physics, Chemistry, CMSE, Mathematics and other programs have joined or worked with the group.
When you apply, you are welcome to e-mail Prof. Mendoza-Cortés with your CV and a short description of your interests. Admitted students can arrive early to start research in the summer before their first fall semester. Current MSU graduate students interested in joining should e-mail to set up a meeting. Fellowships you can apply for yourself, such as the NSF GRFP, are listed with their deadlines under External fellowships.
MSU graduate programs
| Program and department | Degrees | Apply by |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Ph.D. | December 1, 2026Priority review and fellowship nomination; later applications are reviewed as space permits |
| PhysicsPhysics and AstronomyOpenings for fall 2027 are very limited; the department suggests contacting faculty first. | Ph.D. | December 15, 2026December 1 for fellowships |
| Astronomy and AstrophysicsPhysics and Astronomy | Ph.D. | December 15 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Ph.D., M.S. | December 15Review of applications starts |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | Ph.D., M.S. | December 30 |
| Computer ScienceComputer Science and Engineering | Ph.D., M.S. | December 31For full fellowship consideration; applications close January 15 |
| Environmental EngineeringCivil and Environmental Engineering | Ph.D., M.S. | December 31 |
| Computational Mathematics, Science and EngineeringComputational Mathematics, Science and Engineering (CMSE)A dual Ph.D. with another department is possible. The CMSE master's is not open to outside applicants; see the M.S. in Data Science. | Ph.D., dual Ph.D. | January 2, 2027Also the fellowship deadline |
| Chemical EngineeringChemical Engineering and Materials Science, our home department | Ph.D., M.S. | January 5 |
| Materials Science and EngineeringChemical Engineering and Materials Science, our home department | Ph.D., M.S. | January 5 |
| Mathematics and Applied MathematicsMathematicsUnlike most programs here, the GRE General test is required. | Ph.D. | January 20, 2027December 1 for fellowships |
Admissions and fellowships at MSU
- MSU Graduate School admissionsStart here: the list of MSU graduate programs, the online application and requirements for international applicants.
- How to apply to MSU graduate programsStep-by-step application instructions, with links to the application portal.
- University Distinguished FellowshipRecruiting fellowship for newly admitted Ph.D. students, by department nomination only: $10,000 a year on top of an assistantship.
- Graduate School funding resourcesThe Graduate School's list of MSU and external funding for graduate students, such as the NSF GRFP, Fulbright and DOE SCGSR.
- College of Engineering graduate admissionsHow to apply to the College's M.S. and Ph.D. programs, with links to every department's program page.
- Graduate School fellowships for current studentsFellowships that MSU graduate students can apply for once enrolled, such as the Klomparens Endowment award and the Humphrys Fellowship for research on Great Lakes water quality.
- College of Engineering: graduate funding opportunitiesConference travel grants, emergency and child-care funding, and the Accelerator Science and Engineering Traineeship (ASET) at FRIB.
Master's students
Several MSU master's programs fit the work of the group. In a thesis M.S. (Plan A) you can do a research project with us; in programs outside our home department the thesis usually needs a co-adviser in that program, and in course-based programs a capstone or independent project may be possible. Before you apply, e-mail Prof. Mendoza-Cortés with your CV, transcripts and a short description of your interests.
Funding for master's students is limited. Our home department (CHEMS) does not fund M.S. students, so most master's students pay their own tuition or bring a scholarship, for example from their government; some programs consider strong applicants for teaching or research assistantships. Scholarships for master's study are listed under External fellowships.
MSU master's programs that admit new students
| Program and department | Format | Apply by (fall 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Online M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering or Mechanical EngineeringMSU Engineering OnlineFor working professionals, with focus areas in micro- and nanoelectronics, materials and devices, energy and computational modeling; no assistantships. See also the online M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. | Online professional degrees, 30 credits; the ECE degree has a thesis option | December 11, 2026For the spring 2027 start; fall 2027 dates are not posted yet |
| Mechanical Engineering (M.S.)Mechanical EngineeringOverlaps through computational modeling and thermal and energy topics. All applicants are considered for assistantships. | Thesis (Plan A) or Plan B, 30 credits | December 15Review of applications startsSpring entry: review starts September 15 |
| Engineering Mechanics (M.S.)Mechanical EngineeringSolid mechanics and multiscale modeling of materials. | Thesis (Plan A) or Plan B | December 15Spring entry: apply by September 15 |
| Accelerator Science and Engineering (M.S.)Physics and Astronomy, with research at the Facility for Rare Isotope BeamsA thesis M.S. in accelerator physics; the overlap with our group is in modeling superconducting and accelerator materials. | Thesis required (Plan A), 30 credits | December 15, 2026December 1 for University fellowships |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.S.)Electrical and Computer EngineeringOverlaps with the group through semiconductor materials, devices and energy. Admission is linked to an assistantship, a fellowship or a scholarship, or to proof of your own funding. | Thesis (Plan A) or Plan B, 30 credits | December 30Spring entry: apply by September 15 |
| Computer Science (M.S.)Computer Science and EngineeringStrong training in machine learning and high-performance computing. A thesis with the group needs a topic approved by the department or a co-adviser there. | Thesis (Plan A) or course-based (Plan B), 30 credits | December 31For full fellowship consideration; applications close January 15Spring entry: apply by September 15 |
| Environmental Engineering (M.S.)Civil and Environmental EngineeringOverlaps through environmental and energy materials. Support depends on research assistantships from individual faculty. | Thesis (Plan A) or project (Plan B), 30 credits | December 31Spring entry: apply by September 30 |
| Chemical Engineering (M.S.)Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, our home departmentThe most direct route to a thesis in our group. The department does not fund M.S. students. | Thesis (Plan A) or course-based (Plan B), 30 credits | January 5 |
| Materials Science and Engineering (M.S.)Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, our home departmentA thesis in computational materials is a natural fit. The department does not fund M.S. students. | Thesis (Plan A) or course-based (Plan B), 30 credits | January 5 |
| Data Science (M.S.)Statistics and Probability, with CMSE and Computer Science and EngineeringProgram tuition is $39,000; assistantships are competitive. The capstone could be a project with the group, if approved. | Professional degree with a capstone project (no thesis), 30 credits | About January 15Priority date, then rolling until mid-March; fall 2027 dates are not posted yet |
| Statistics or Applied Statistics (M.S.)Statistics and ProbabilityA Statistics thesis on statistical machine learning or uncertainty quantification for materials data is possible with a Statistics adviser. | Statistics: thesis (Plan A) or Plan B. Applied Statistics: course-based | February 1, 2027Fall entry only |
| Artificial Intelligence (M.S.)Computer Science and EngineeringA new program. The thesis credits can be taken in CMSE, so a thesis on AI for materials or chemistry is possible with the program director's approval. Strong applicants are considered for assistantships. | Course-based, with an optional thesis or capstone of up to 6 credits, 30 credits | March 31Spring entry: apply by December 15 |
Programs that do not admit outside master's students. Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics admit only Ph.D. students, and the M.S. in Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering is open only to MSU students in the B.S./M.S. track and to current Ph.D. students. The professional M.S. in Industrial Mathematics is in a moratorium through summer 2027.
Graduate certificates that pair well with a degree: Computational Modeling and High-Performance Computing from CMSE, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Processing, and Devices from Electrical and Computer Engineering (on campus or online), and Foundations in Chemical Engineering, bridge courses for students without a chemical-engineering degree.
Applying. All programs use MSU's online application. Department pages list an application fee of $65 for U.S. applicants and $75 for international applicants. International applicants should check the Graduate School's English-language requirements; some programs ask for higher scores.
Postdoctoral researchers
Send your CV, a research statement and three references to Prof. Mendoza-Cortés. We look for training in computational materials science, theoretical or computational physics and chemistry, computer science, applied mathematics or computational chemical engineering. Open positions are posted on MSU Careers and announced on this site.
Bringing your own fellowship gives you independence and is a strong addition to your CV. Federal, national-laboratory, foundation and international fellowships that can support a postdoc in our group are listed with their deadlines under External fellowships. Most have deadlines between September and January, and programs change from year to year (for example, NSF's MPS-Ascend fellowship was archived in 2025).
At MSU
| Program | Who can apply | Support | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jenison Fund research continuity supportMSU Office of the President, Office of the Provost and Office of Research and InnovationFaculty apply; bridge funding can pay postdocs whose positions depend on disrupted federal grants. | MSU faculty and academic staff whose federal funding was disrupted; postdocs cannot apply themselves. | Bridge funding for up to a year, and grants of up to $50,000 for pre-tenure faculty. | November 9, 2026Rounds are usually held in mid-fall. |
| Postdoctoral Excellence in Research Award (PERA)MSU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs | MSU postdocs with one to five years at MSU; self-nomination with a letter from the supervisor. | $1,200 and a certificate; two awards a year. | May 18, 2026 (last cycle)The call is usually announced in January. |
| Postdoctoral Excellence in Teaching and/or Mentoring Award (PETMA)MSU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs | MSU postdocs whose teaching or mentoring of MSU students goes beyond their regular duties. | $1,000 and a certificate; two awards a year. | May 18, 2026 (last cycle)Same call and dates as PERA. |
| MSU Research Foundation Postdoctoral Scholars ProgramMSU Research Foundation and MSU Office of Research and InnovationFaculty apply, to hire a new postdoc in research aligned with the priorities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NIH, ARPA-H). | A recent Ph.D. recruited through an open search; current MSU postdocs and the PI's own Ph.D. graduates are not eligible. | Two years of salary at the NIH NRSA level plus benefits; the PI pays for supplies and travel. | July 15, 2026 (first call)The next call has not been announced. |
| MSU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)MSU Office of Research and Innovation | MSU postdocs (most are appointed as Research Associates) and their faculty mentors. | Career development, awards, resources and the Postdoctoral Association; no funding of its own. | Year-round |
| MSU Postdoctoral Association (MSU-PDA)MSU postdocs, with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs | Every MSU postdoc, automatically. | Community and career events: monthly socials, a summer picnic, Postdoc Appreciation Week and an awards luncheon. | Year-round |
| MSU Certification in College TeachingMSU Graduate School | MSU graduate students and postdocs who teach or plan to teach. | A teaching credential (coursework, workshops, a mentored teaching project and a portfolio); no funding. | Year-round |
| MSU Office of Research and Innovation: Find FundingMSU Office of Research and Innovation | MSU researchers; some databases need an MSU NetID. | MSU's portal for federal, foundation, internal, international and corporate funding, including limited-submission calls. | Year-round |
| OPA Postdoctoral Travel SupportMSU Office of Postdoctoral AffairsOn hold in 2026. | MSU postdocs traveling to present research. | Spring and fall travel awards. | On hold |
Searchable lists of fellowships
- MSU Research and Innovation: funding databasesFunding search tools licensed by MSU, such as Academic Analytics and Foundation Directory Online; sign in with your MSU NetID.
- MSU Libraries: guide to grants and funding resourcesLibrary guide to funding searches, including Foundation Directory Online and Grants to Individuals Online.
- Pathways to Science: postdocsInstitute for Broadening Participation. Free directory of postdoc positions, postdoctoral fellowships and early-career funding in STEM.
- ECRcentraleLife Ambassadors (community-maintained). Free directory of about 700 fellowships and grants and 120 travel grants for Ph.D. students, postdocs and junior faculty, updated in 2026.
- Fellowship FinderUniversity of Illinois Graduate College. Searchable database of external grants and fellowships, filtered by stage (master's to postdoctoral) and citizenship.
- GRAPES: Graduate and Postdoctoral Extramural SupportUCLA Graduate Division. Free directory of about 540 external awards, grants and fellowships for graduate students and postdocs.
- Our group's list of fellowshipsMendoza Lab wiki. Notes and advice collected by the group; the deadlines listed there date from 2020 to 2024.
Selected fellowships from these lists
Picked from these lists for computational materials science, chemistry, physics and AI; more postdoctoral fellowships are in the table under External fellowships.
| Program | Who can apply | Support | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP)NASA, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities | Recent and senior Ph.D.s (U.S. citizens, permanent residents or J-1-eligible foreign nationals) for research at a NASA center with a NASA advisor. | Stipend from $70,000 a year, $10,000 a year for travel, health insurance and relocation. | November 1, 2026Three rounds a year: March 1, July 1 and November 1. |
| Rothschild FellowshipsYad Hanadiv (Israel) | Permanent residents of Israel with a recent Ph.D. from an Israeli institution, nominated by their university, for a first postdoc abroad. | NIS 210,000 for a year, plus relocation and family allowances. | November 1, 2026Universities set earlier internal deadlines. |
| Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship ProgramU.S. Air Force and Space Force, administered by the National Academies | Recent doctorates and experienced researchers, for research at the Air Force Research Laboratory and other Air Force sites; U.S. citizenship required. | Stipend from $95,000 a year, higher with experience. | November 2, 2026Reviews also start February 1, May 1 and August 1. |
| Argonne J. H. Wilkinson Fellowship in Scientific ComputingArgonne National Laboratory | Recent Ph.D.s in applied mathematics, scientific computing and computational science, including machine learning, with a research proposal. | Competitive salary and a travel allowance; one year, renewable for a second. | November 10, 2025 (last cycle)The 2026 call is not posted yet. |
| Army Research Laboratory Distinguished Postdoctoral FellowshipDEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, administered by the National Academies | A Ph.D. in science or engineering within the last five years and an exceptional record, for independent research at ARL. | $115,000 a year for up to three years. | July 9, 2026 (last cycle)The next window is expected in spring 2027. |
| Swedish Research Council International PostdocSwedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) | Researchers with a recent doctorate from a Swedish university, employed by a Swedish university that pays them while they work abroad. | SEK 1,300,000 a year for salary, housing abroad and costs, for 18 to 36 months. | September 15, 2026 (last cycle) |
| AAUW American Postdoctoral Research Leave FellowshipAmerican Association of University Women | Women who are U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents, with a recent doctorate, doing full-time postdoctoral research. | $50,000 for one year. | September 30, 2026 (last cycle)The window opens in mid-August. |
| Flatiron Research FellowshipsFlatiron Institute, Simons FoundationIncluding the Center for Computational Quantum Physics and the Initiative for Computational Catalysis, in New York. | Postdoctoral researchers with a Ph.D. in a relevant field. | $95,000 a year (2026); two years, renewable for a third. | October 16, 2026 (last cycle)Postings appear each August and September. |
Undergraduate researchers
MSU undergraduates interested in research for credit, an honors project or a paid position should e-mail Prof. Mendoza-Cortés a short statement of goals and interests, an unofficial transcript and a resume. Before starting, it helps to have taken calculus and linear algebra and to have some programming experience. We ask for a commitment of two to five semesters, with the goal of publishing original results; several of our undergraduates have co-authored papers, including first-author articles.
Students from other universities can join us through summer programs such as the NSF REU Site in semiconductor materials that our lab mentors in.
Programs and funding at MSU
| Program | Who can apply | Support | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldwater Scholarship: MSU nominationMSU Distinguished Student Awards Office | MSU sophomores and juniors headed for research careers in science, mathematics or engineering; U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents; MSU asks for a GPA of 3.7. | MSU nominates up to four students; the scholarship pays up to $7,500 a year for the last one or two years of college. | November 15, 2026 (MSU)National nomination deadline: January 29, 2027. |
| College of Natural Science Undergraduate Research ScholarshipsMSU College of Natural Science | Full-time MSU students whose primary major is in the College of Natural Science, with an MSU mentor from any college. | $1,000 for fall or spring, $3,500–$4,000 for summer; $750 exploration awards for beginners. | January 15, 2027 (spring)Also September 15 (fall) and March 15 (summer). |
| Pathway to Research (PTR)MSU Undergraduate Research OfficeA free four-week program, in person or online, for finding a mentor and a research position. | MSU undergraduates with no research experience. | Peer advising and workshops; limited funding for students who finish and land an unpaid position. | January 22, 2027Spring cohorts run in February 2027. |
| College of Natural Science Dean's Research ScholarsMSU College of Natural Science | Undergraduate researchers in College of Natural Science majors. | A cohort of student research ambassadors who present their work to alumni and at college events. | February 2, 2026 (last cycle)The 2027–28 application opens in January 2027. |
| MSU Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)MSU Graduate School (Big Ten Academic Alliance SROP) | Students at a U.S. college who plan to earn a Ph.D.; the Big Ten application asks for U.S. citizenship or permanent residence and a GPA of 3.0. | Summer research with an MSU mentor (May 15 to July 24, 2027), a stipend, room and board, travel and graduate-school preparation. | February 10, 2027One Big Ten application, open from November 1, plus a short MSU form. |
| NSF REU Site: Early Engagement in Semiconductor Materials and TechnologiesMSU with Fraunhofer USA Center MidwestOur lab is one of the mentoring groups. | U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents in a STEM degree who have finished their first year; first- and second-year students and students from colleges with few research options have priority. | Ten weeks of summer research in semiconductor materials at MSU, a $6,000 stipend, housing and travel help. | February 13, 2026 (last cycle)Summer 2027 is not announced yet; the last cycle opened December 15. |
| Undergraduate Research Office: fundingMSU Undergraduate Research Office | MSU undergraduates who travel to do or present research; research-abroad scholarships need a GPA of 2.75. | Up to $250 in matching travel funds; $500 scholarships for research abroad. | February 15, 2027 (research abroad); February 19 (travel)Also rounds in October and May each year. |
| University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF)MSU Undergraduate Research Office | Current MSU undergraduates and December 2026 graduates. | Present a poster, talk or creative work; $100 first prizes in each category and two $500 grand prizes. | March 5, 2027Registration opens January 19; the forum is on April 23, 2027. |
| MSU Physics and Astronomy REU Summer Internship ProgramMSU Department of Physics and Astronomy (NSF-funded) | U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents, preferably sophomores or juniors, who have finished introductory physics. | Ten weeks of research with MSU faculty, a $7,000 stipend, room and board, and up to $600 for travel. | April 24, 2026 (last cycle)Review began April 24 and continued until the group was full; 2027 dates are not posted yet. |
| Honors College Research Scholars ProgramMSU Honors College | Honors College members in good standing who can work about 10 hours a week; second-year students have priority. | A paid research-assistant position with a faculty mentor during the academic year. | June 15, 2026 (last cycle) |
| Mid-Michigan Symposium for Undergraduate Research Experiences (MidSURE)MSU Undergraduate Research Office | Undergraduates doing research at MSU or any other institution. | Free summer poster symposium, in person and online, with graduate-school recruiters (no prizes). | July 8, 2026 (last cycle)MidSURE 2027 is on July 28, 2027; registration dates are not posted yet. |
| MSU Undergraduate Research Office (URCA)MSU Office of Undergraduate Education | MSU undergraduates in any major. | Help finding mentors and paid or unpaid positions, peer advising, workshops, lists of summer programs and places to present. | Year-roundIts own programs have dates: Pathway to Research January 22, 2027; UURAF March 5, 2027. |
| Honors College Professorial Assistantship (PA) ProgramMSU Honors College | About 200 incoming first-year Honors College students a year, by invitation. | Paid research assistantship with a faculty mentor for two years, 8–10 hours a week, about $4,200 the first year. | By invitationOffers go to admitted high-school seniors in winter and must be accepted by May 1. |
| College of Engineering: undergraduate researchMSU College of Engineering | MSU engineering undergraduates, including chemical engineering and materials science majors. | A guide to research workshops, Pathway to Research, Honors research and summer programs. | Year-round |
| MSU Distinguished Student Awards Office (DSAO)MSU Distinguished Student Awards Office | MSU students and recent alumni applying for national awards. | Advising, draft review and campus nomination for awards such as the Goldwater, Churchill, Udall, Hollings, NSF GRFP and DOE CSGF. | Year-roundMSU deadlines: Goldwater November 15, SMART early December, Hollings late January, Udall February 2. |
| Research for academic creditMSU departments and Honors CollegeIndependent study, Honors thesis and Honors Research Seminars. | MSU undergraduates with a faculty mentor; Honors Research Seminars (UGS 200H) are for first- and second-year Honors students. | Course credit for research, with requirements set by each department; UGS 200H gives 3 credits. | Before each semesterArrange it with your mentor and department before you enroll. |
| Research positions on HandshakeMSU (Handshake career site) | MSU students. | Paid or volunteer research-assistant positions posted by MSU faculty. | Year-round |
National programs
| Program | Who can apply | Support | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPS Summer Internship ProgramSociety of Physics Students and American Institute of Physics | Undergraduate members of the Society of Physics Students who can work in the U.S. | Ten-week paid internship in the Washington, DC area, with housing and travel. | January 5, 2027One SPS page says January 15; apply by January 5 to be safe. |
| DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science | U.S. citizens or permanent residents, 18 or older, full-time undergraduates or recent graduates, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. | $650 a week for 10 weeks in summer (16 in a semester) at a DOE laboratory, with housing help and travel. | January 6, 2027For summer 2027, 5 pm ET. SULI is also the summer route into Argonne, Brookhaven, ORNL, PNNL and NLR. |
| DOE Community College Internships (CCI)U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science | U.S. citizens or permanent residents, 18 or older, at a community or two-year college, with a GPA of 2.7 or higher. | $650 a week for a 10-week internship at a DOE laboratory, with housing help and travel. | January 6, 2027 |
| NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)National Institute of Standards and Technology | U.S. citizens or permanent residents, full-time undergraduates, 18 or older. | Paid summer research at NIST (June 2 to August 13, 2027): $6,390–$7,810, plus up to $4,500 for housing and $500 for travel. | January 26, 2026 (last cycle)The 2027 calls are open on USAJobs; their closing date is not shown. |
| Barry Goldwater ScholarshipBarry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation | Sophomores and juniors nominated by their college; U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. | Up to $7,500 a year for one or two years. | January 29, 2027 (nominations)MSU's campus deadline is November 15, 2026. |
| NASA Internship Programs (OSTEM and Pathways)NASA Office of STEM Engagement | U.S. citizens, 18 or older, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (2.9 for Pathways), in STEM or other majors. | Paid 10-week summer or 15-week semester internships; Pathways internships can lead to a NASA job. | March 1, 2027For summer 2027; fall 2027: May 24, 2027. |
| Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) ScholarshipsGreat Minds in STEM | Undergraduate and graduate students in STEM or health fields at U.S. colleges and universities, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (2.5 for some donor scholarships). | $500 to $5,000, with registration for the GMiS Conference. | May 8, 2026 (last cycle) |
| NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)U.S. National Science Foundation | U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents working toward an associate or bachelor's degree. | Paid summer research at sites across the country; many sites also cover housing, meals and travel. | Usually January to MarchEach site sets its own deadline; many take applications on NSF ETAP. |
| TEAM-UP Together Undergraduate Research Fellowship (TURF)TEAM-UP Together: AIP, AAPT, AAS, APS and SPS | Physics and astronomy majors (or related) at U.S. colleges, and recent graduates, with limited access to paid research. | $8,000 for a summer or $5,000 a semester; the mentor also receives a stipend. | Not yet announcedThe 2026 round is closed and 2027 dates are not posted. |
Find more programs
- Pathways to Science: undergraduatesInstitute for Broadening Participation. Free directory of more than 600 paid summer research programs, REUs, internships and scholarships in STEM, with pages for materials science, chemistry, physics, computational science and AI.
- NSF directory of REU SitesU.S. National Science Foundation. Search REU Sites by research area, place and keyword; site deadlines usually fall from January to March.
- MSU Undergraduate Research Office: summer research listA list of campus, national and international summer programs; most deadlines fall from late January to early March.
Selected programs from these lists
Picked from Pathways to Science, the NSF REU directory and MSU's summer list for students interested in computational materials science, chemistry, physics and AI.
| Program | Who can apply | Support | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argonne Seasonal Internship ProgramArgonne National Laboratory | U.S. citizens or permanent residents, 18 or older, undergraduate or graduate students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. | $650 a week plus $250 a week for housing; travel paid for students who live more than 50 miles away. | October 30, 2026 (spring term)For summer 2027 at Argonne, apply through SULI by January 6, 2027. |
| DAAD RISE GermanyGerman Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) | Science and engineering undergraduates at four-year universities in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. or Ireland, with two years completed. | Summer research in Germany with a doctoral student, 992 euros a month and help with housing. | November 30, 2026Applications open October 15; letters about December 15. |
| Brookhaven National Laboratory: SULI and CCIBrookhaven National Laboratory | U.S. citizens or permanent residents, 18 or older, full-time undergraduates or recent graduates with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. | $650 a week, housing, transportation on site and travel home. | January 6, 2027 |
| Pacific Northwest National Laboratory internshipsPacific Northwest National Laboratory | Undergraduate and graduate students; rules depend on the program. | Paid research internships through SULI, CCI and PNNL's own programs. | January 6, 2027 (SULI and CCI)PNNL's own positions have their own dates. |
| Princeton Center for Complex Materials REUPrinceton University (NSF MRSEC) | U.S. citizens or permanent residents, 18 or older, rising sophomores to seniors. | Nine weeks of materials research with a monthly stipend and free housing. | January 15, 2027The application opens in early November 2026. |
| LLNL Data Science Summer InstituteLawrence Livermore National Laboratory | Advanced undergraduates and graduate students in machine learning, mathematics, computer science or statistics; some nationalities face restrictions. | Paid 12-week internship in Livermore, with pay competitive with industry. | January 15, 2027 |
| LLNL Computing ScholarsLawrence Livermore National Laboratory | Undergraduate and graduate students in computer science and related fields, 18 or older; U.S. and foreign nationals, depending on the position. | Paid 10–12-week internships in high-performance computing and computational science. | January 15, 2027Positions fill as applications arrive. |
| C-CAS Summer Undergraduate Research FellowshipNSF Center for Computer Assisted Synthesis (University of Notre Dame)Computation and machine learning for chemical synthesis. | Undergraduates at U.S. institutions, or U.S. citizens and permanent residents, interested in the center's research. | $7,000 for 10 weeks and $3,000 for housing at one of 13 partner universities; travel not covered. | January 30, 2026 (last cycle)The summer 2027 round is not announced yet. |
| Northwestern MRSEC Summer REUNorthwestern University (NSF MRSEC) | U.S. citizens or permanent residents who will not have graduated by the program; mostly rising juniors and seniors. | $6,000, housing and a travel allowance for materials research (June 14 to August 13, 2027). | February 12, 2027 |
| REU: Computational Methods with Applications in Materials ScienceMississippi State University (NSF REU Site) | U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents; community-college students welcome. | $7,700 stipend, housing, a meal allowance and up to $550 for travel. | February 15, 2026 (last cycle)Pathways to Science lists February 15, 2027 for the next round. |
| SHPE ScholarSHPESociety of Hispanic Professional Engineers | SHPE members in STEM majors with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. | One application for many scholarships (245 awards, more than $1 million, last year). | February 16, 2026 (last cycle)Dates for 2027–28 are not posted yet. |
| LLNL Materials and Chemistry Institute Summer ProgramLawrence Livermore National Laboratory | Undergraduate and graduate students; citizenship rules depend on the posting. | Paid 10–12-week summer internship in materials science and chemistry. | February 19, 2027Undergraduates apply to posting REF8874X. |
| ORNL Research Student InternshipsOak Ridge National Laboratory | U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a GPA of 3.0 or higher: students, recent graduates and recently separated veterans. | $750–$950 a week, a $250 housing allowance and up to $1,000 for travel. | February 26, 2026 (last cycle)Summer 2027 dates are not posted yet. |
| Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)Caltech Student-Faculty Programs | Undergraduates at any college with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, with a proposal written with a Caltech mentor. | $8,110 for ten weeks of research at Caltech (2026 amount). | March 1, 2027The application opens November 1, 2026. |
| SPS scholarshipsSociety of Physics Students and American Institute of Physics | Undergraduate members of the Society of Physics Students. | Leadership Scholarships of $2,500–$6,000 and up to five $10,000 SPS Google Scholarships. | March 15, 2027Moved to the next Monday when March 15 falls on a weekend. |
| REU: Regional Initiative in Experimental and Computational Materials ResearchUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham (NSF REU Site) | U.S. citizens or permanent residents who will return to undergraduate study and can work all 10 weeks. | $7,000 for 10 weeks (May 16 to July 23, 2027), dorm housing and travel. | April 1, 2027Reviewed as applications arrive, so apply early. |
| Churchill ScholarshipWinston Churchill Foundation of the United States | U.S. citizens aged 19–26 in science, engineering or mathematics, seniors or recent graduates, nominated by MSU (GPA of 3.7 or higher). | A year of graduate study at the University of Cambridge, fully funded (about $60,000). | August 1, 2027 (MSU)National nominations are due November 2, 2026; MSU's 2026 campus deadline has passed. |
| Fulbright Canada–Mitacs GlobalinkMitacs and Fulbright Canada | U.S. citizens, 18 or older, full-time at a U.S. university with one to three semesters left. | 10–12 weeks of research at a Canadian university, with CA$4,000 from Fulbright Canada and up to CA$5,000 from Mitacs. | September 16, 2026 (closed)The summer 2028 round opens in August 2027. |
| NSF REU in Physics and Artificial IntelligenceCarnegie Mellon University | Undergraduates interested in AI and physics (NSF REU rules: U.S. citizens, nationals and permanent residents). | Eight-week residential summer program with a stipend; travel and housing paid. | Not yet announcedNo 2027 dates are posted; earlier rounds closed in early February. |
| Los Alamos Computational Physics Student Summer WorkshopLos Alamos National Laboratory | Graduate students and advanced undergraduates (at least one year of college) in the U.S. | Ten-week summer research fellowship paying about $9,000–$17,000 by level; travel and housing not covered. | Not yet announced2027 dates are not posted. |
| Sandia student internships, including the Computer Science Research InstituteSandia National Laboratories | Full-time students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher for research positions; some positions need U.S. citizenship. | Paid internships in summer or year-round, in Albuquerque or Livermore; the institute covers AI, computer science and mathematics. | RollingEach posting has its own closing date. |
| National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly NREL) internshipsNational Laboratory of the Rockies | Undergraduate students; SULI and CCI rules apply to those programs. | Paid internships year-round or in summer, on site, hybrid or virtual. | RollingThrough SULI or CCI: January 6, 2027 for summer. |
| SMART Scholarship-for-Service ProgramU.S. Department of Defense | U.S. citizens, 18 or older, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, in a STEM field. | Full tuition, a stipend, paid summer internships at defense laboratories, then civilian work for the department. | Early DecemberThe exact 2026 date could not be confirmed. |
Changed recently. The ACS Scholars Program ended in 2025 and was replaced by an ACS scholarship for undergraduates in chemistry; NREL is now the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR); and the Astronaut Scholarship accepts nominations only from partner universities, which do not include MSU.
Examples of past undergraduate projects (2018): artificial photosynthesis, design of artificial enzymes, a force-field generator for molecules and materials, in-silico design of materials for clean-energy storage, materials for capturing sunlight and biocompatible chemicals and materials.
Visiting faculty, scientists and students
We host visiting faculty, postdocs and students for stays of a few weeks to a year. Visits are usually funded by the visitor's home institution or by a fellowship, and most programs need applications 6 to 12 months in advance, so please write early with a short description of the project you have in mind. Programs that fund visiting faculty and scientists, such as the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, are listed under External fellowships.
External fellowships
A fellowship of your own pays your stipend or salary, lets you choose your project and is a strong line on your CV. This table lists fellowships that can support Ph.D. students, master's students, postdocs and visiting faculty in our group, and some for the next step after it, such as named postdoctoral fellowships at national laboratories. Use the buttons to show one group, or search by country or field. To find more, search ECRcentral, the Illinois Fellowship Finder or UCLA's GRAPES directory, listed with other search tools under Postdoctoral researchers. We are happy to help with your application: please write to us at least a month before the deadline.
Show fellowships for
| Fellowship | Who can apply | Support | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Immigrants and children of immigrants, 30 or younger, starting or in the first two years of a U.S. graduate program. | Up to $25,000 a year plus half of tuition, for up to 2 years | October 29, 2026 |
| Hertz FellowshipFannie and John Hertz Foundation | Ph.D. students U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are seniors or first- or second-year Ph.D. students in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics or engineering. | Up to 5 years of support, worth up to $250,000 | October 30, 2026 |
| National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) FellowshipU.S. Department of Defense | Ph.D. students U.S. citizens and nationals (not permanent residents) applying to or in the first two years of graduate school, in fields relevant to defense. | $43,200 a year, tuition, fees and health insurance, for 3 years | October 30, 2026 |
| NVIDIA Graduate FellowshipNVIDIA Research | Ph.D. students Ph.D. students worldwide, usually after their first year, in computing research such as AI, quantum computing and parallel programming; includes a summer internship at NVIDIA. | Up to $60,000 for one year | October 30, 2026 |
| Berkeley Lab Computing Sciences Fellowships (Luis W. Alvarez; Admiral Grace Hopper)Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Computing Sciences AreaHeld at Berkeley Lab. | Postdocs Ph.D. by October 1, 2027 and no more than 3 years of postdoctoral work, in computing, modeling and simulation, applied mathematics or data science. | $146,000 to $151,000 a year | October 30, 2026 |
| Fulbright Colombia Visiting Student Researcher ProgramFulbright Colombia | Ph.D. students Colombian Ph.D. students at Colombian institutions, for a 4- to 10-month research stay with a U.S. host. | Monthly stipend, university costs, airfare, visa and health coverage | October 31, 2026 |
| BAEF Research Fellowships for postdocsBelgian American Educational Foundation | Postdocs Belgian nationals within 2 years of the Ph.D., for 12 months at a U.S. institution. | $55,000 plus health insurance | October 31, 2026The host's invitation letter is due November 15 |
| Fulbright Colombia Visiting Scholar ProgramFulbright Colombia | Visiting faculty and scientists Colombian researchers with a doctorate at a Colombian university or research center, with a U.S. host. | Monthly stipend, airfare, visa and health coverage, for up to 6 months | October 31, 2026 |
| NRC Research Associateship Programs (RAP)National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and MedicineHeld at a federal laboratory; useful for joint projects. | Postdocs Recent doctorates (within 5 years) and senior scientists, at participating federal laboratories such as NIST; citizenship rules vary by laboratory. | Stipend set by the laboratory, plus travel | November 2, 2026Reviews four times a year: February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 |
| DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) ProgramU.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science | Ph.D. students U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have reached Ph.D. candidacy, to do part of their thesis research at a DOE national laboratory. | Monthly stipend and travel for 3 to 12 months at a national laboratory | November 4, 2026 |
| COGS Conference AwardMSU Council of Graduate Students | Conference travel MSU graduate students presenting research; once per graduate career. | Up to $300 | November 6, 2026Spring 2027 rounds close February 5 and April 9 |
| Faculty for the Future FellowshipsSLB (Schlumberger Foundation) | Ph.D. studentsPostdocs Women from low- and middle-income countries doing a Ph.D. or postdoc in STEM at a university abroad, who plan to return home. | Varies | November 7, 2026 |
| Michigan Space Grant Consortium Graduate FellowshipMichigan Space Grant Consortium (NASA Space Grant); MSU is an affiliate | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students U.S. nationals at a consortium member such as MSU, with a faculty mentor and MSU's approval. | $5,000 | November 12, 2026MSU's approval comes first: contact the MSU campus representative early. |
| GEM FellowshipNational GEM Consortium | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students U.S. citizens and permanent residents in applied science or engineering, for an M.S. or Ph.D. at a GEM member university, with paid internships. | Ph.D.: tuition and at least $16,000 a year plus university support; M.S.: tuition and $16,000 | November 13, 2026 |
| Beca Generación del Bicentenario (Peru)PRONABEC, Ministerio de Educación del Perú | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Peruvian professionals with high academic performance and limited resources, for a master's or doctorate at an eligible university abroad. | Full scholarship | November 13, 2026Extraordinary 2026 call for 20 scholarships (17 master's, 3 doctoral); opens October 30. |
| APS Division of Computational Physics Travel AwardsAmerican Physical Society | Conference travel Students and postdocs giving a talk in a computational-physics session at the APS Global Physics Summit; one award per group. | Up to $800 | November 15, 2026For the 2027 Global Physics Summit in Atlanta (April 11–16). |
| CAPES Doutorado-Sanduíche no Exterior (PDSE, Brazil)CAPES (Brazil) | Ph.D. students Ph.D. students in Brazilian programs, selected first by their university, for a 4- to 9-month research stay abroad. | Monthly stipend, travel, settling-in and health-insurance allowances | November 18, 2026Selection at the home university comes first |
| Sandia John von Neumann Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Computational ScienceSandia National LaboratoriesHeld at Sandia. | Postdocs U.S. citizens, permanent residents, asylees and refugees with a Ph.D. in applied or computational mathematics or a related field, earned in 2023 or later. | 1 year, with an option for a second | November 18, 2026 |
| LLNL Sidney Fernbach Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Computing SciencesLawrence Livermore National Laboratory, ComputingHeld at Livermore. | Postdocs Ph.D. in applied or computational mathematics, computer science, data science or a related field by the start date; U.S. citizenship is not required. | 1 year, renewable to 2 | November 20, 2026 |
| APS Braslau Family Travel GrantAmerican Physical Society | Conference travel Students and early-career physicists presenting at the APS Global Physics Summit. | Registration waiver and up to $1,750 for travel | November 23, 2026 |
| Sandia S. Scott Collis Fellowship in Data ScienceSandia National LaboratoriesHeld at Sandia. | Postdocs Ph.D. in a data-science area within the past 3 years and no earlier national-laboratory postdoc; U.S. citizenship is required for the clearance. | 2 years, with a possible third | November 30, 2026 |
| NWO RubiconDutch Research Council (NWO) | Postdocs Researchers who recently earned a Ph.D. in the Netherlands, for research at a foreign institution. | 1 to 2 years abroad | December 1, 2026The rounds may change in 2027 |
| SMART Scholarship-for-Service ProgramU.S. Department of Defense | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Students in approved STEM fields who agree to work at a defense laboratory after graduating, one year for each year of support. | Full tuition and a stipend of $30,000–$46,000 a year, plus internships and a mentor | December 4, 2026The first Friday of December; date from a secondary listing. |
| Link Foundation Energy FellowshipLink Foundation | Ph.D. students Ph.D. students of any citizenship at U.S. or Canadian universities, doing energy research. | $45,000 a year for 2 years | About mid-December (last cycle December 14) |
| P.E.O. International Peace ScholarshipP.E.O. International | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Women from outside the U.S. and Canada studying for a graduate degree in the U.S. or Canada, who plan to return home. | Up to $12,500 | December 15, 2026Eligibility form first; full application by February 1 or March 15, 2027 |
| Microsoft Research FellowshipMicrosoft Research | Ph.D. studentsPostdocs Ph.D. students and postdocs at universities in eligible regions, including the U.S., with proposals that answer posted Microsoft Research challenges. | A one-time $47,000 gift to the university (U.S. and Canada) | About December 16 (last call)The next call has not been announced |
| Sandia Gil Herrera Fellowship in Quantum Information ScienceSandia National LaboratoriesHeld at Sandia. | Postdocs Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science or engineering, earned in 2023 or later (or by September 2027). | 2 years, with a possible third | December 31, 2026 |
| DOE NNSA Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship (SSGF)U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, administered by the Krell Institute | Ph.D. students U.S. citizens who are seniors or first- or second-year graduate students in materials under extreme conditions, nuclear science or high-energy-density physics. | $45,000 a year plus tuition and fees, for up to 4 years | January 5, 2027 |
| DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF)U.S. Department of Energy, administered by the Krell Institute | Ph.D. students U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are seniors or first-year graduate students in computational science, including chemistry, materials and physics on supercomputers. | $45,000 a year plus tuition and fees, for up to 4 years | January 7, 2027 |
| Fulbright-García Robles graduate scholarships (Mexico)COMEXUS, the U.S.-Mexico Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Mexican citizens living in Mexico and not yet admitted to a U.S. program; STEM is a priority, with a separate track for applicants from outside Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. | Up to $25,000 a year for a Ph.D. (3 years) or $37,000 a year for a master's | January 15, 2027For studies starting in August 2028 |
| ECS Summer FellowshipsThe Electrochemical Society | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Graduate students who are ECS members and will continue their studies after the summer; any citizenship. | Up to $5,000 for summer research | January 15January 15 each year; the 2027 date is not confirmed yet. |
| RSC Researcher Development and Travel GrantRoyal Society of Chemistry | Conference travel RSC members who are Ph.D. students or researchers within 10 years of finishing their education. | Up to £500 | January 25, 2027Further 2027 rounds close April 26, August 2 and October 18 |
| SNSF Postdoc.MobilitySwiss National Science Foundation | Postdocs Researchers with ties to Switzerland, within 3 years of the Ph.D. | About 24 months abroad plus a return grant | February 2, 2027The final call closes August 3, 2027; a new scheme starts in 2028 |
| DOE NNSA Laboratory Residency Graduate Fellowship (LRGF)U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, administered by the Krell Institute | Ph.D. students U.S. citizens with at least 18 months of Ph.D. study left, who spend two or more 12-week residencies at Livermore, Los Alamos, Sandia or the Nevada National Security Site. | $45,000 a year plus tuition and fees, for up to 4 years | February 16, 2027The application opens later this fall |
| NRF Post-Doc Overseas Research Fellowship (Korea)Ministry of Education and National Research Foundation of Korea | Postdocs Korean nationals with a doctorate from a Korean university earned in the past five years, for a year of research abroad. | KRW 60 million for one year | February 24, 2026 (last cycle) |
| José Castillejo grants for young doctors (Spain)Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain | Visiting faculty and scientistsPostdocs Teaching or research staff at Spanish universities and research centers with a doctorate earned after January 1, 2014. | €2,150–3,100 a month, travel and installation, for 3 to 6 months | February 27, 2026 (last cycle)Up to 30 grants for the U.S. through Fulbright. |
| Stays of senior faculty and researchers abroad (Spain)Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain | Visiting faculty and scientists Permanent faculty and researchers at Spanish public universities and research centers with a doctorate earned before 2014. | €2,150–3,100 a month, travel and installation, for 3 to 6 months | February 27, 2026 (last cycle)Formerly the Salvador de Madariaga program; up to 70 stays in the U.S. through Fulbright. |
| Link Foundation Modeling, Simulation and Training FellowshipLink Foundation | Ph.D. students Full-time Ph.D. students of any citizenship at U.S. or Canadian universities, with dissertation research that applies to simulating complex, interactive (human-in-the-loop) environments or to training for them. | $35,000 for 1 year, renewable | About March 1 (last cycle March 1, 2026) |
| Colfuturo Crédito-Beca (Colombia)Colfuturo | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Colombian professionals admitted to a full-time master's or Ph.D. abroad. | Loan of up to $50,000; up to 65% becomes a scholarship if you return to Colombia | March 4, 2027The call opens January 4, 2027 |
| Royal Society Newton International FellowshipsThe Royal Society (UK)For the next step after the group: two years of research in the UK. | Postdocs Researchers of any nationality except British who work outside the UK, with at most 5 years of postdoctoral experience and a UK sponsor. | Salary, research, relocation and visa costs for 2 years, up to £280,000 | About mid-March (last round January 15 to March 11, 2026) |
| Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of ResearchSigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Students worldwide, for research expenses; members of Sigma Xi receive larger awards. | $500 to $5,000 (up to $1,000 for non-members) | March 15, 2027A second round closes each year on October 1 |
| NSTC Dragon Gate program: research teams abroad (Taiwan)National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan | Visiting faculty and scientistsPostdocsPh.D. students Taiwanese universities and institutes apply for a team (PI, co-PIs and trainees) to work 1 or 2 years at a leading institution abroad. | Up to NT$4 million per project per year | March 17, 2026 (last cycle) |
| Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship ProgramOffice of the Director of National Intelligence, administered by ORISECan be held at MSU with an MSU advisor. | Postdocs U.S. citizens within 5 years of the Ph.D., with a joint proposal and a university advisor on a posted research topic. | $85,000 to $90,000 a year plus travel and laboratory allowances | About March 31 (last cycle)Topics are posted on February 1 |
| National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly NREL) Director's FellowshipNational Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), U.S. Department of EnergyHeld at the laboratory in Golden, Colorado. | Postdocs Ph.D. earned within 2 years of the deadline, with a project proposed with an NLR mentor. | 2 years, with a possible third | March 31, 2027The window opens January 1 |
| China Scholarship Council study-abroad programsChina Scholarship Council | Ph.D. studentsPostdocsVisiting faculty and scientists Chinese citizens at Chinese universities and institutes, selected through their institution: joint or full Ph.D. abroad, visiting scholars and postdocs, with an invitation letter from the host. | Round-trip airfare and a living stipend | April 1, 2026 (Ph.D. programs, last cycle)The visiting-scholar and postdoc call also opens each spring (April 10–15 in 2025); institutions set earlier deadlines. |
| Minciencias doctorate abroad, Becas para el Cambio (Colombia)Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, Colombia | Ph.D. students Colombian professionals in the first year of a doctoral program abroad, or in the admission process. | See the call | April 23, 2026 (last cycle)Call 975 of 2026. |
| Google PhD FellowshipGoogle Research | Ph.D. students Ph.D. students nominated by their university (up to four per university), in areas such as machine learning, algorithms and quantum computing. | Up to $85,000 a year for 2 years (U.S. and Canada) | About April 30 (last cycle)By university nomination; ask the Graduate School for MSU's internal deadline |
| Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) ScholarshipsGreat Minds in STEM | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Undergraduate and graduate students in STEM or health fields at U.S. colleges and universities, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (2.5 for some donor scholarships). | $500 to $5,000, with registration for the GMiS Conference | About early May (last cycle May 8, 2026) |
| JSPS Overseas Research FellowshipsJapan Society for the Promotion of Science | Postdocs Japanese nationals and permanent residents of Japan within 5 years of the doctorate. | About ¥5.2 to 8.0 million a year plus airfare, for 2 years | About May 11 (last cycle) |
| BASF North American Research ForumBASF | Ph.D. studentsPostdocs Ph.D. students and postdocs in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, biosciences, materials science or polymer science. | An all-expenses-paid, three-day forum at BASF in Wyandotte, Michigan, to present your research and meet BASF scientists | About mid-May (last cycle May 15, 2026)The 2026 forum was held July 13 to 15; BASF has run it every year since 2020 |
| Schmidt Science FellowsFellows from partner universities can choose a placement in a lab such as ours. | Postdocs New Ph.D. graduates in the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics or computing who move into a new field, nominated by their Ph.D. university; the university must be a nominating partner (MSU is not). | See the program page | About May 15 (university nominations, last cycle) |
| SECIHTI Becas de Posgrado en el Extranjero (Mexico)SECIHTI (Mexico; formerly CONAHCYT) | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Mexican nationals admitted to a graduate program abroad. | See the call | About May 22 (last call)The next call is expected in the spring |
| Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships (India)U.S.-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) | Ph.D. students Indian citizens registered for a Ph.D. in India, for 6 to 9 months of research in the U.S. | Monthly stipend, airfare, visa and insurance | July 1, 2026 |
| Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships (India)U.S.-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) | Visiting faculty and scientists Indian faculty and researchers with a Ph.D. and at least 5 years of teaching or research experience. | Monthly stipend, airfare, visa and insurance, for 4 to 9 months | July 1, 2026 |
| NASA FINESST (Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology)NASA Science Mission Directorate | Ph.D. students Graduate students at U.S. universities who write and lead their own research proposal in a NASA science area, with their advisor as PI. | Set in each year's call | July 14, 2026 (last cycle)The 2027 date is not posted yet. |
| Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (India)U.S.-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) | Postdocs Indian researchers who earned their Ph.D. within the last 4 years, for research at a U.S. institution. | Monthly stipend, airfare, visa, insurance and allowances, for 8 to 24 months | July 15, 2026 |
| SECIHTI Estancias Sabáticas (Mexico)SECIHTI (Mexico; formerly CONAHCYT) | Visiting faculty and scientists Faculty at Mexican institutions, for sabbatical stays in Mexico or abroad. | See the call | About July 31 (last call) |
| NSTC program for doctoral students and postdocs abroad (Taiwan)National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan | Ph.D. studentsPostdocs Doctoral students and postdocs at Taiwanese universities and institutes, for a research stay abroad, through their institution. | Living allowance and airfare | July 31, 2026 (last cycle) |
| Fulbright-García Robles research stays (Mexico)COMEXUS, the U.S.-Mexico Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange | Visiting faculty and scientistsPostdocs Mexican researchers with a doctorate at a Mexican institution, on a senior track (5 or more years after the Ph.D.) or a postdoctoral track; an invitation from a U.S. host is required. | $3,164 to $4,805 a month plus settling-in support, for 3 to 9 months | August 28, 2026 |
| Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral FellowshipsArnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation | Postdocs U.S. citizens, permanent residents and DACA recipients in the chemical sciences, within 18 months of the Ph.D., with a mentor at a U.S. nonprofit institution. | $224,000 over 2 years, with an optional third year | September 4, 2026 (letter of intent)Invited full applications are due December 11, 2026 |
| Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Postdoctoral FellowshipsEuropean Commission, Horizon Europe | Postdocs Researchers from the EU or Horizon Europe associated countries, up to 8 years after the Ph.D.: 1 to 2 years at a host outside Europe, such as MSU, then a year back in Europe. | Living, mobility and research allowances | September 9, 2026The 2027 call has not been announced |
| TÜBİTAK 2214-A research abroad for Ph.D. students (Türkiye)TÜBİTAK BİDEB | Ph.D. students Turkish citizens in a Ph.D. program at a Turkish university, after the qualifying exam, for thesis research abroad at a highly ranked host. | Monthly stipend for up to 12 months and a round-trip ticket | September 15, 2026 (last cycle) |
| TÜBİTAK 2219 International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (Türkiye)TÜBİTAK BİDEB | PostdocsVisiting faculty and scientists Turkish citizens with a doctorate, including faculty on leave, invited by a host at a highly ranked institution abroad. | Monthly stipend for up to 12 months and a round-trip ticket | September 15, 2026 (last cycle) |
| AAUW International FellowshipsAmerican Association of University Women | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, for full-time graduate study in the U.S. | $20,000 (master's) or $25,000 (doctorate) | September 17, 2026The window opens in mid-August |
| RSC Researcher Collaborations GrantsRoyal Society of Chemistry | Visiting faculty and scientistsPostdocsPh.D. students Members of the Royal Society of Chemistry at any career stage, including Ph.D. students, for research visits and reciprocal hosting. | Up to £5,000 | September 21, 2026The 2027 round is expected from June 21 to September 6 |
| Royal Society International ExchangesThe Royal Society (UK) | Visiting faculty and scientists UK-based researchers with an overseas partner, such as our group; the grant funds visits in either direction. | Up to £3,000 for one visit, £6,000 for 1 year or £12,000 for 2 years | September 24, 2026Several rounds a year; 2027 dates are not posted yet |
| ACS COMP Chemical Computing Group Excellence Award for Graduate StudentsAmerican Chemical Society, Division of Computers in Chemistry | Conference travel Graduate students presenting a poster in the award session at an ACS national meeting. | Travel award | September 28, 2026 (abstracts for ACS Spring 2027)The ACS Fall 2027 abstract deadline is expected in spring 2027. |
| AAUW American Doctoral FellowshipAmerican Association of University Women | Ph.D. students Women who are U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents in the final year of a first doctorate. | $25,000 for one year | September 30, 2026 (last cycle)Replaced AAUW's American Fellowships, together with the postdoctoral fellowship. |
| Argonne LDRD Named Fellowships (Maria Goeppert Mayer; Walter Massey)Argonne National LaboratoryHeld at Argonne. | Postdocs Within 5 years of the Ph.D., with an Argonne sponsor and a self-proposed project. | Up to 3 years | October 1, 2026 |
| Sandia President Harry S. Truman Fellowship in National Security Science and EngineeringSandia National LaboratoriesHeld at Sandia; self-directed research. | Postdocs Ph.D. completed between October 2024 and October 2027; must be able to hold a DOE security clearance. | $123,300 a year plus up to $100,000 a year for research, for 3 years | October 1, 2026 (idea phase)Invited full proposals are due November 17, 2026 |
| LLNL Lawrence FellowshipLawrence Livermore National LaboratoryHeld at Livermore. | Postdocs All technical disciplines; highly competitive, with two to four awards a year. | Starting salary $12,663 a month | October 1, 2026Registration opens in late July |
| NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF)U.S. National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences | Postdocs U.S. citizens, nationals and permanent residents within 5 years of a doctorate in astronomy and astrophysics. | $75,000 a year plus a $35,000 allowance, for up to 3 years | October 15, 2026The window opens August 15 |
| Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA)NSERC, CIHR and SSHRC | Postdocs Canadian citizens and permanent residents; those with a Canadian doctorate can hold the award abroad (up to 30% of awards). | CAD 70,000 a year for 2 years | About October 17 (NSERC)University internal deadlines are earlier |
| NSF Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF)U.S. National Science Foundation, Division of Mathematical Sciences | Postdocs U.S. citizens, nationals and permanent residents within 2 years of a doctorate in the mathematical sciences, including the mathematics of AI; the fellow chooses the host. | $190,000 over up to 4 years | October 21, 2026The third Wednesday of October each year |
| NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)U.S. National Science Foundation | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students U.S. citizens, nationals and permanent residents: college seniors, graduates not yet in graduate school, and first-year graduate students (second-year students are no longer eligible). | $37,000 a year plus $16,000 for the cost of education, for 3 years | October 22 or 23, 2026, by fieldEngineering October 22; chemistry, mathematics, physics and astronomy October 23; materials research closed October 20 |
| APS Forum on Graduate Student Affairs Travel AwardsAmerican Physical Society | Conference travel Graduate students who are members of APS and the forum, presenting at the APS Global Physics Summit. | Up to $1,000 (U.S. institutions) or $1,500 (abroad) | October 25, 2026 |
| APS Division of Materials Physics Ovshinsky Student Travel AwardsAmerican Physical Society | Conference travel Students presenting in materials-physics sessions at the APS Global Physics Summit, with a letter from their advisor. | $750 | October 25, 2026 |
| Roberto Rocca FellowshipsRoberto Rocca Education Program | Ph.D. students Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, Romania, Saudi Arabia or Uruguay doing a Ph.D. abroad in materials science, engineering, the energy transition, hydrogen, data science or the environment. | Varies | See the program page |
| Fulbright Foreign Student ProgramU.S. Department of State, through Fulbright commissions and U.S. embassies | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students Graduate students and young professionals from about 150 countries, who apply in their home country. | Varies by country | Varies by countryOften more than a year before studies start |
| Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Postdoctoral Fellowship ProgramU.S. Naval Research Laboratory and the American Society for Engineering EducationHeld at the Naval Research Laboratory. | Postdocs U.S. citizens and permanent residents within 5 years of the doctorate. | About $87,000 to $108,000 a year, depending on the site | Rolling |
| Los Alamos (LANL) postdoc appointments and Distinguished Fellowships (Feynman, Oppenheimer, Reines, Hoffman)Los Alamos National LaboratoryHeld at Los Alamos, a close collaborator of our group. | Postdocs Within 5 years of the Ph.D.; Distinguished Fellows are nominated by a Los Alamos scientist. | Laboratory postdoctoral salary | By nomination; reviewed in DecemberContact a Los Alamos sponsor in early fall |
| ORNL Distinguished Staff Fellowships (Wigner, Weinberg, Liane B. Russell)Oak Ridge National LaboratoryHeld at Oak Ridge. | Postdocs Within 5 years of the terminal degree; the Wigner Fellowship covers materials, computation and physics. | Three years of funding | Opens in January 2027 |
| PNNL Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral FellowshipPacific Northwest National LaboratoryHeld at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. | Postdocs Ph.D. within the last 3 years in a field relevant to PNNL, with the right to work in the U.S. | Fully funded, self-designed research | Open since August 2026; see the posting |
| Brookhaven (BNL) Gertrude and Maurice Goldhaber Distinguished FellowshipsBrookhaven National LaboratoryHeld at Brookhaven. | Postdocs Within 3 years of the Ph.D., with a Brookhaven mentor. | $108,000 a year for 3 years | Next dates not posted |
| L'Oréal USA For Women in Science FellowshipL'Oréal USA, with AAAS | Postdocs Women postdoctoral scientists in STEM in the U.S. | $75,000 (five awards a year) | Next dates not posted |
| DFG Walter Benjamin ProgrammeDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) | Postdocs Early-career researchers with ties to German research, for their own project abroad. | Usually up to 2 years | Rolling |
| Humboldt Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship for postdocsAlexander von Humboldt Foundation | Postdocs German citizens or researchers working in Germany, within 4 years of the doctorate; the U.S. host must be a member of the Humboldt Network. | 6 to 24 months; the amount depends on the country and family situation | RollingThe committee meets in February, June and October |
| FWF Erwin Schrödinger ProgrammeAustrian Science Fund (FWF) | Postdocs Early-career postdocs with ties to Austria, with a host abroad. | 10 to 24 months abroad plus an optional return phase | Rolling |
| Fulbright Visiting Scholar ProgramU.S. Department of State, administered by IIE | PostdocsVisiting faculty and scientists Scholars from outside the U.S. with a doctorate, for 3 to 12 months of research or teaching at a U.S. institution. | Varies by country | Varies by countryFor example, Mexico closed August 28 and Colombia closes October 31, 2026 |
| Humboldt Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship for experienced researchersAlexander von Humboldt Foundation | Visiting faculty and scientists German citizens or researchers working in Germany, within 12 years of the doctorate; the U.S. host must be a member of the Humboldt Network. | 6 to 18 months, which can be split into up to 3 stays | RollingThe committee meets in February, June and October |
| MSU College of Engineering Conference Travel GrantsMSU College of Engineering | Conference travel MSU engineering M.S. and Ph.D. students presenting as first author. | Up to $450 a trip | RollingApply through your department 2 to 6 weeks before you travel |
| MSU Graduate School travel fundingMSU Graduate School | Conference travel MSU graduate students presenting at a conference, with endorsements from the advisor, department and college. | Varies | RollingApply before you travel |
| MSU Graduate School Research Enhancement AwardMSU Graduate School | Ph.D. studentsMaster's students MSU graduate students, for activities that strengthen their research. | Varies | RollingDecisions within three weeks of a complete request. |
| CNPq scholarships abroad: postdoc (PDE) and sandwich doctorate (SWE) (Brazil)CNPq, Brazil | Ph.D. studentsPostdocs Researchers and Ph.D. students in Brazil, selected through CNPq calls. | US$2,100 a month (postdoc) or US$1,300 a month (sandwich doctorate), plus travel, installation and health insurance | No call openNo current call was found on October 22, 2026. |
| CAPES Global.edu mobility awards (Brazil)CAPES, Brazil, through networks of Brazilian universities | Visiting faculty and scientistsPh.D. students Faculty and Ph.D. students in graduate programs that belong to a CAPES Global.edu network, living in Brazil. | CAPES monthly allowance, installation, travel and health insurance, for stays of about 2 to 10 months | Set by each networkExample: one network selected candidates by September 20, 2026, for stays from March 2027. |
No fellowship matches this search. Try a shorter word or show all.
Paused or discontinued in 2026. The IBM Ph.D. Fellowship is paused for 2026–27 (IBM expects to announce a new program in early 2027), as are the MolSSI Software Fellowships and the TACC Frontera Computational Science Fellowship; Meta has not run its Ph.D. fellowship since 2023. The Ford Foundation Fellowships made their last awards in 2024, NSF's MPS-Ascend fellowship was archived in 2025, and Canada's Banting fellowships were replaced by the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award listed above. Also not open in 2026: Burroughs Wellcome's Career Awards at the Scientific Interface (no call since 2023), the Quad Fellowship (closed after the 2025–26 cohort), the Leopoldina postdoctoral scholarships, India's ANRF overseas fellowships (not in the 2026 schedule) and Chile's Becas Chile doctorate abroad (no 2026 call). The Dreyfus Foundation no longer lists its postdoctoral program in environmental chemistry, and Ecuador's SENESCYT has no current scholarship for study in the United States.
Getting started and advice
New members start with our guide to getting started: the lab's authorship criteria, short courses on Unix, Python and MSU's supercomputers, and the tools we use every day. Our advice collects favorite pieces on writing papers and proposals, giving talks, applying for fellowships and faculty jobs, and staying well in graduate school.
Life at MSU
Michigan State University is a large research university with a beautiful campus in East Lansing, close to Lansing and within easy reach of Detroit, Chicago and the Great Lakes. Researchers have access to MSU's high-performance computing center, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams and many experimental collaborators.
See the campus in autumn, winter, spring and summer, or read why to come to MSU, with current facts and their sources.
A fun fact. Graduates of the group become academic descendants of Marie Curie and of Ralph Fowler, Paul Dirac's doctoral advisor, and anyone who publishes with us has an Erdős number of at most 6.