Hertz Foundation names 19 fellows for 2026, funding top PhD talent in science and engineering 

The Hertz Foundation has selected the 19 recipients of its 2026 Hertz Fellowships, one of the most competitive graduate awards in the U.S. supporting PhD study in science, engineering, mathematics, and biology. Fellows receive up to five years of funding up to $250,000, along with mentoring and access to leading research networks. The cohort spans disciplines including astrophysics, robotics, chemistry, neuroscience, and materials science with plans for doctoral study at top research universities including Harvard University, Stanford University, and MIT. Established in 1957, the fellowship has produced more than 1,300 alumni, including two Nobel Prize winners as well as leading innovators across science, engineering, and technology.