The Simons Foundation invites applications for the Pivot Fellowship program. This fellowship supports researchers seeking to transition to a new discipline, fostering interdisciplinary exchange and impactful scientific contributions.

Key Dates and Application Process

The application period opens on March 3, 2025, and the deadline for submission is May 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in Fall 2025. All applications must be submitted through the Simons Award Manager (SAM) platform.

Both fellows and mentors must create and submit separate applications within SAM. Detailed instructions and informational videos on using SAM are available on the platform. Ensure you plan accordingly with your institution and references to meet the deadline.

For program inquiries, contact [email protected], administrative inquiries to [email protected], and technical assistance to [email protected].

Eligibility Requirements

• Fellows must hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, data science, or computer science and be faculty at an academic institution or hold an equivalent position.

• The fellowship must take place in a new discipline distinct from the fellow's current field within astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, neuroscience, physics, or mathematics.

• Fellows must secure approval for a full year of leave from their institution and cannot hold any other fellowship providing salary support during the training year.

• Mentors must also hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree and be faculty at an academic institution or hold an equivalent position.

The suitability of the mentor and the environment for mentorship will be strongly considered in the application process.

Foreign institutions are eligible to apply. There are no seniority requirements for the mentor.

Funding Details and Award Structure

The Pivot Fellowship provides one year of salary support equivalent to the fellow's academic-year salary, whether paid over nine or 12 months. Additionally, fellows receive a $10,000 research, travel, and professional development allowance during the training year.

Mentors receive a $50,000 research fund during the fellowship year, which can be used for various research-related expenses, including salary support for lab personnel and equipment. Indirect costs are limited to 20% of the modified total direct costs.

Funding must be activated within 18 months of award notification. At the end of the fellowship year, fellows may be eligible to apply for a research award in their new field for up to $1.5 million, plus indirect costs, over five years.

Application Components and Submission Guidelines

Fellows and mentors must each submit a unique application through SAM. The fellow's application requires detailed information, including applicant details, application details, a scientific narrative (up to six pages), a summary of previous scientific accomplishments (up to two pages), a CV, and two to three confidential letters of recommendation from research scientists who are not the applicant’s Mentor.

The mentor's application requires similar details, including a fellowship mentor plan (two pages), a mentorship history (up to two pages), and a CV. Both applications require the completion of budget and contact information tabs within SAM.

Proposals must use a legible 11-point font with 0.5-inch margins. The signing official must sign and submit the application. No extensions will be given. Contact [email protected] if you would like to un-submit your proposal for any modifications before the deadline.