Is this actionable now?

closed. Annual nomination-led cohort; the reviewed cycle is not open to unsolicited direct applications and no later deadline is published.

Researchers who achieved tenure (or equivalent) within the past three calendar years, with a remarkable record in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and/or engineering and a history of publishing across more than one field.

What burden and restrictions apply?

Selected researchers pursue an approved multi-year agenda and engage with the Polymaths cohort; detailed award terms are not public. Support is restricted to the approved work plan, eligible costs and award period; unsupported, unrelated, double-funded or noncompliant expenditure is excluded.

Schmidt Science Polymaths Program

USD 500,000 per year for up to five years, plus program community support, for selected Polymaths. · Schmidt Sciences

Schmidt Science Polymaths supports recently-tenured researchers with a strong record across multiple fields who want to make a substantive disciplinary or methodological shift in their research. Awards fund a research group to pursue risky, exploratory work that conventional funders overlook. Current lifecycle: closed. Real economics: USD 500,000 per year for up to five years, plus program community support, for selected Polymaths..

Tier 2 · ranked #2researchinterdisciplinarytenuregrant

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	Schmidt Sciences
Amount	USD 500,000 per year for up to five years, plus program community support, for selected Polymaths.
Decision time	Decisions shared in April (following an October application deadline)
Eligibility	Researchers who achieved tenure (or equivalent) within the past three calendar years, with a remarkable record in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and/or engineering and a history of publishing across more than one field.
Restrictions	Selected researchers pursue an approved multi-year agenda and engage with the Polymaths cohort; detailed award terms are not public. Support is restricted to the approved work plan, eligible costs and award period; unsupported, unrelated, double-funded or noncompliant expenditure is excluded.
Status	open

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Nomination through the invited network
Review of research independence and proposed disciplinary pivot
Selection and multi-year award administration

Background

Schmidt Sciences operates Schmidt Science Polymaths Program. This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. Schmidt Sciences publishes named Polymaths cohorts and research directions. Each fellow can receive five years of flexible research support. The program explicitly backs disciplinary pivots that conventional grants may not support.

How the application really works

Nomination through the invited network → Review of research independence and proposed disciplinary pivot → Selection and multi-year award administration

Tips

Show direct fit with natural sciences.
Show direct fit with engineering.
Show direct fit with computing.
Show direct fit with interdisciplinary research.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is closed.
Selected researchers pursue an approved multi-year agenda and engage with the Polymaths cohort; detailed award terms are not public.
Support is restricted to the approved work plan, eligible costs and award period; unsupported, unrelated, double-funded or noncompliant expenditure is excluded.

Track record

Schmidt Sciences publishes named Polymaths cohorts and research directions.
Each fellow can receive five years of flexible research support.
The program explicitly backs disciplinary pivots that conventional grants may not support.

The reviewed official corpus does not publish an applicant denominator and comparable selection rate.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: closed. Annual nomination-led cohort; the reviewed cycle is not open to unsolicited direct applications and no later deadline is published.
What is the real economic value?: USD 500,000 per year for up to five years, plus program community support, for selected Polymaths.
Who is eligible?: Researchers who achieved tenure (or equivalent) within the past three calendar years, with a remarkable record in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and/or engineering and a history of publishing across more than one field.
How does selection work?: Nomination through the invited network; Review of research independence and proposed disciplinary pivot; Selection and multi-year award administration. Decisions shared in April (following an October application deadline)
What burden and restrictions apply?: Selected researchers pursue an approved multi-year agenda and engage with the Polymaths cohort; detailed award terms are not public. Support is restricted to the approved work plan, eligible costs and award period; unsupported, unrelated, double-funded or noncompliant expenditure is excluded.
What evidence exists?: Schmidt Sciences publishes named Polymaths cohorts and research directions. Each fellow can receive five years of flexible research support. The program explicitly backs disciplinary pivots that conventional grants may not support. The reviewed official corpus does not publish an applicant denominator and comparable selection rate.

Sources

www.schmidtsciences.org/schmidt-science-polymaths — Official program design, economics and nomination model (checked 2026-08-10)
www.schmidtsciences.org/six-professors-named-schmidt-science-polymaths — Official cohort and funded research evidence (checked 2026-08-10)