Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Predoctoral Fellowship Program
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Predoctoral Fellowship Program supports graduate students’ thesis research in astrophysics and related fields to advance doctoral work and encourage collaboration.
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Funder: Smithsonian Institution
Due Dates: November 1, 2026 (Application) | May 1, 2027 (Application)
Funding Amounts: Stipend matched to Harvard Astronomy graduate support; appointments of at least six months, typically one year
Summary: Supports doctoral thesis research in astrophysics and related fields under the guidance of Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory scientists.
Key Information: Applicants must secure SAO advisor sponsorship and funding from their home institution or SAO advisor.
Description
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) Predoctoral Program enables graduate students from external universities around the world to carry out all or part of their doctoral thesis research at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. Fellows work with SAO scientists while remaining under the supervision of their home institution thesis advisors. Established in 1985, the program encourages collaboration among future colleagues across astronomy, astrophysics, and related fields.
Supported research includes theory, observation, instrument development, and laboratory experiments. Research areas range from atomic and molecular physics, atmospheric physics, and the solar system to stars, galaxies, and cosmology. The research environment includes optical, infrared, and radio telescopes, computational resources, specialized laboratories, extensive libraries, and space-mission data, especially from the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
