Limited Submission Opportunity: 2026 Sloan Research Fellowships

Strategic Insights -

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is offering fellowships to early-career researchers who demonstrate outstanding promise and potential to make significant contributions to their fields. Vanderbilt University can nominate up to three tenure-track faculty per department for the 2026 Sloan Research Fellowships, which are awarded to 125 researchers annually. The fellowships provide a two-year term with a $75,000 stipend, allowing recipients to pursue their research interests.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2026 Sloan Research Fellowships aim to stimulate fundamental research by early-career scientists and scholars of outstanding promise.
  • The fellowships are awarded to 125 researchers annually, with a two-year term beginning on September 15 of the award year.
  • Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth System Science, Economics, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, or a related field.
  • Nominated candidates are usually several years past the completion of their Ph.D. and have a strong record of independent, significant research accomplishments.
  • The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation encourages the nomination of qualified Black, Latinx, Native American, Alaska Native, and women candidates to promote diversity in the sciences.
  • Faculty interested in being nominated must submit a one-page statement, CV/NIH Biosketch, and a list of scientific publications directly to their department chair and CC VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu by August 7, 2025.

Statistics:

  • 125 researchers are awarded the Sloan Research Fellowships annually.
  • The fellowships are awarded for a two-year term, beginning on September 15 of the award year.
  • The 2026 fellowship amount will be $75,000.
  • The Sloan Research Fellowship Program recognizes and rewards outstanding early-career faculty who have the potential to revolutionize their fields of study.
  • Successful candidates typically have a strong track record of significant independent research accomplishments.

Sources:

  • Vanderbilt University News: "Limited Submission Opportunity: 2026 Sloan Research Fellowships"
  • Alfred P. Sloan Foundation: "Sloan Research Fellowship Program"