Michelson Fellowship Program

The 2008 Michelson Fellowship call has been suspended.  We hope to issue the next call, pending NASA funding, in 2009.

The Michelson Fellowship Program invites applications for postdoctoral and graduate student fellowships in exoplanet research at a US institution.  Fellowship applications are encouraged for a topic related to exoplanet science or detection technology, including:

• Astronomical interferometry & coronography

• Comparative exoplanetology

• Exoplanet transit detection and characterization

• Exoplanet atmosphere modeling

• Radial velocity exoplanet detection

• Other advanced exoplanet detection & characterization techniques

Proposing technology development and/or astronomical applications of optical/IR interferometry and/or coronagraphy is particularly encouraged; proposals relevant to the technology development or science of Navigator projects, both experimental and theoretical, will also be considered.

Postdoctoral fellowships are awarded for two years with an optional third year, and must start no later than December 2007.  A Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, engineering or related discipline is required prior the start of the funding period.

Graduate student fellowships are awarded for three years and will start no later than October 2007. Applicants must be enrolled in a US graduate program in astronomy, physics, engineering, or related discipline.  Students who are accepted for enrollment by the proposed host institution for the academic year 2006-2007 are also eligible.

Michelson Graduate Student fellowships are awarded annually. The current application deadline is 2 November 2006 for start of funding no later than October 2007. Graduate student fellowships cover three years of graduate research at a university in the United States of America. The fellowship will cover a graduate student stipend, an education allowance of $10,500 per year, and a small research budget (up to $7,500 per year for 2007 Fellows) to cover page charges, travel, equipment and other research related expenses.

Fellowship awards will be funded through cost-reimbursable contracts between the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the host institution.

Current and previous recipients of the Michelson Graduate Student Fellowship are listed here.

Potential applicants, please see the detailed Michelson Graduate Student Fellowship announcement of opportunity for application instructions, and consult the Michelson Fellowship Program Guidelines for additional information.

Michelson Postdoctoral fellowships are also awarded annually, and cover a competitive stipend (approximately $54,500 for 2007 Fellows) at a research institution in the United States of America. The current application deadline is 2 November 2006 for start of funding no later than September 2006. Michelson Postdoctoral Fellowships are initially awarded for two years with an optional extension for one additional year (subject to review and available funding). In addition to the research stipend (which also covers benefits and institutional overhead) postdoctoral fellow will receive a research budget ($15,000 per year for 2007 Fellows) to cover publications charges, travel, equipment and other research related expenses.

Current and previous recipients of the Michelson Postdoctoral Fellowship are listed here.

Fellowship awards will be funded through cost-reimbursable contracts between the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the host institution.

Potential applicants, please see the detailed Michelson Postdoctoral Fellowship announcement of opportunity for application instructions, and consult the Michelson Fellowship Program Guidelines for additional information.

The Michelson Educational Awards are aimed at supporting undergraduate and graduate education, and specifically educators and institutions in the preparation and presentation of educational material relevant to Navigator Program science (e.g. exo-planet research) and/or technology. Awards are anticipated to be in the range of $35,000 -- $75,000.

Michelson Educational Awards will be funded through cost-reimbursable contracts between the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the host institution.

Potential applicants, please see the detailed Michelson Education Award announcement of opportunity for application instructions, and consult the Michelson Fellowship Program Guidelines for additional information.