Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering
The Packard Fellowships provide flexible funding to early-career faculty at top U.S. universities to pursue innovative, high-impact research in science and engineering.
Funder: David & Lucile Packard Foundation
Due Dates: March 15, 2026 (Nominations due) | April 20, 2026 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $875,000 total per Fellow over 5 years ($175,000/year; $157,500/year for research, $17,500/year for university admin costs)
Summary: Highly flexible, prestigious fellowship for early-career faculty in science and engineering at select U.S. research universities.
Key Information: Only 50 invited institutions may nominate; each may submit up to two nominations annually.
Description
The Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering provide substantial, flexible funding to the nation’s most promising early-career scientists and engineers. Established by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, the program encourages bold, innovative research by supporting Fellows with minimal restrictions and limited reporting requirements. Each year, 20 Fellows are selected from 50 leading U.S. research universities, with the aim of advancing fundamental science and engineering through creative, high-impact projects. The fellowship is designed to empower new faculty to pursue risk-taking and transformative research that might not be possible with traditional funding.
