Heising-Simons 51 Pegasi b Fellowship Application

Page 1

About the Fellowship
To learn more about the Pegasi-b Fellowship, please visit this link.

This application is open until 2pm Pacific Time, October 1, 2026.

Questions? Reach out to science@hsfoundation.org.
Applicant Contact Information








Applicant Degree, Institution, and Advisor Information



NOTE: Applicants must receive their PhD between 1/1/2025 and 12/31/2027. Exceptions due to extenuating circumstances (i.e., family or medical leave that extend this window by up to one year) may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Please email science@hsfoundation.org.



If you are currently in a post-PhD position, please complete the following:





Page 2

Application Packet Requirements
General:
  • Each Application Packet should be 12 pages long, no larger than 10MB, and contain the following:
    1. Page 1: Cover Sheet (NOT a cover letter; please see instructions section below)
    2. Page 2: Proposed Host Institution Rationale (max 1 page)
    3. Pages 3-7: Science Research Proposal (max 5 pages, including references and figures)
    4. Page 8: Abstract of PhD Dissertation (max 1 page)
    5. Pages 9-10: Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
    6. Page 11: Summary of Previous and Current Research (max 1 page)
    7. Page 12: Contributions Towards Building a Stronger Field (max 1 page)
  • You are required to upload an Application Packet containing all components listed above for each desired host institution as a single PDF. 
  • If you will be applying to two or three host institutions, keep in mind that all components in each application PDF must be the same except for the Proposed Host Institution Rationale.

Formatting Guidelines:
  • Please see the example application found here.
  • Each packet may not exceed 10MB
  • All components (excluding CV) should have 1-inch margins; 12-point font; single-spacing; and numbered pages.
  • Any components in the PDF packet that go beyond the stated page limit will be truncated to meet the page limit. The document should have 12 total pages.
  • All pages of all files should include the following two-line page header in BOLD ITALIC ALL CAPS: FIRSTNAME LASTNAME, DOCUMENT TYPE. 
  • Each application PDF should use the following file naming convention:
    LastName_FirstName_HostInstitutionName. For example, rubin_vera_darkmatterinstitute.pdf
Each PDF must include the following components in this order.
1. Cover Sheet
The cover sheet should list:
  • Your first and last name
  • Your PhD degree-granting institution
  • Your PhD discipline
  • The date your PhD was completed or is expected to be completed
  • If you are currently in a post-PhD position, it should also include the name of your current institution
  • The name of your proposed host institution for this application packet
  • The name of your proposed faculty mentor for this application packet
Note that this is NOT a cover letter. The cover sheet should simply list the above items with no other text.
2. Proposed Host Institution Rationale (max 1 page)
Applicants may select and rank up to three participating institutions as possible hosts for their 51 Pegasi b Fellowship research. The Foundation encourages applicants to take a holistic approach and select institutions by carefully weighing scientific, professional, and personal considerations. You will submit your ranking in the next section below.

For each ranked institution, please provide a one-page rationale about how you and your research fit at that institution. The Foundation encourages you to reach out to potential collaborators and faculty mentors at each host institution to help specialize research ideas and maximize the potential for success.

Applicants should include only ONE host institution rationale per PDF. If applying to three host institutions, applicants need to submit three PDFs, with each PDF including one rationale.

Each Rationale should:
  • State the proposed faculty mentor's name at the top of the document.
  • Describe the environment at the host institution and how it would support you and your fellowship research. For example: potential collaborators and mentors on the faculty; access to unique facilities; scientific collaborations or expertise; plans for contributing to an inclusive and equitable environment, and any other institutional resources available to you scientifically, professionally, or personally.
  • Describe any customization of your general research proposal based on the host institution. For example, would you emphasize different aspects of your research; reprioritize activities and adjust timelines; drop certain research activities or add new ones?
  • PLEASE DO NOT STATE YOUR INSTITUTIONAL RANKING IN YOUR RATIONALE WRITE-UPS.
3. Science Research Proposal (max 5 pages including all text, figures, and references)
All applicants are required to develop and submit a research proposal for a three-year fellowship term. The maximum length of the proposal is 5 total pages including all text, figures, and references. The proposal narrative should:
  • Describe the overall goals and objectives of your research project. What specific problems or questions are you addressing? Why are they important?
  • Discuss how the research compares to, contrasts with, or complements other current activity in the field. What distinguishes your approach?
  • Give a general outline of the anticipated activities, timelines, and key milestones.
  • Describe any project risks and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Describe the short-term research outcomes during the fellowship term, as well as the long-term outcomes beyond the fellowship term. How will your work impact the field and influence your future research directions?
Please Note: You will be asked to submit an abstract (350-word max) of this research proposal towards the bottom of this form.

Keep in mind that your proposals may be evaluated by scientists that are not in your direct area of expertise. While we recognize that certain details in your proposal may be best appreciated by experts in your field, please make the research proposal broadly understandable to an interdisciplinary committee.

For applicants who choose to submit applications to two or three host institutions, the Science Research Proposal should be the same across all application packets. Any institution-specific differences should be noted in the Proposed Host Institution Rationale.
4. Abstract of Your PhD Dissertation (max 1 page)
5. Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
The CV should include educational background, work/research experience, and a list of publications and presentations. Please limit CV to two pages. (If a longer document is submitted, only the first two pages will be seen by the committee.)
6. Summary of Previous and Current Research (max 1 page)
The summary should describe research you have previously completed or are currently conducting. Please summarize your research methods, sources, major findings, and impact on the field. Explain how these experiences have prepared you for your proposed fellowship project. You are welcome to provide information that contextualizes your research and achievements relative to your personal or professional circumstances and opportunities.
7. Contributions Towards Building a Stronger Field (max 1 page)
The Heising-Simons Foundation is dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces and celebrates a wide range of perspectives. The purpose of this part of the application is to identify applicants who have demonstrated personal experiences, professional skills, and/or a commitment to mentoring or leading initiatives that promote inclusivity and support historically underrepresented groups in the field of planetary sciences and astronomy. Here applicants can provide their thoughtful, specific, and actionable ideas for fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment, both through their own actions and by empowering others.

Activities you may wish to address include:
  • Any programs for underrepresented communities you have participated in and/or any prior activities you have done that work towards achieving equity, expanding inclusion, or enhancing diversity. Please be specific about the context, your role, scope or level of effort, and the impact.
  • How you plan to contribute to building a diverse and inclusive field as a 51 Pegasi b Fellow, including activities you would pursue and how they would fit into your research area, department, campus, or national context. Be as specific as possible, and realistic about your level of effort and time and commitment.
  • Your long-range career plan and goals for promoting inclusivity in the field and evidence of activities or commitments to date that supports this intent. Be as specific as possible, and realistic about your level of effort and time commitment.
  • Your background, interests, formative experiences, major challenges, sources of inspiration--anything that is not already covered in your application materials that informs your approach to fostering an inclusive environment and promoting equitable practices in planetary astronomy. For example, is there an experience from your personal history that has impacted your scientific career progression and your approach to advancing diversity and inclusion in the field?
A strong statement will focus on both the applicant's past activities toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment as well as their future plans for doing so as a 51 Pegasi b Fellow (consider focusing on 1-3 activities from both past and future depending on level of involvement).

Please note that future activities and programs to a particular host institution should be described in that host institution's institutional justification and not in this statement.


Rank Institutions & Packet Upload
Please indicate your ranked host institution choices and upload the corresponding packets (please select your choices from the dropdowns prior to uploading your files, as the filenames will include your selection):


Max file size 10MB


Max file size 10MB


Max file size 10MB
Certification

Additional Information
Science Research Proposal Title
Science Research Proposal Abstract (350 words)
Please write a short abstract of your proposed science research for the three-year fellowship term. This abstract should reflect the science research proposal described in your application packet.

Page 3

Demographic Information
The 51 Pegasi b Fellowship program began collecting basic demographic data from all applicants beginning with the 2018-2019 program cycle. This optional demographic information is kept confidential and is not reviewed until after the applicants have been selected. It is used solely as a retrospective data point to help the Foundation evaluate its outreach efforts and ensure the 51 Pegasi B Fellowship is communicated to a diverse range of individuals. Information provided in this section may be shared with the participating host institutions, Foundation staff, and consultants after the selection process is complete. Aggregated demographic statistics may be presented to the public via the Foundation website and other means.

Providing this information is entirely voluntary and does not affect an applicant's eligibility for the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship. Please click "decline to state' if you do not wish to participate in this section.







Letters of Recommendation
Applicants should arrange for two letters of recommendation to be submitted by individuals who are familiar with their scientific abilities and achievements. These letters should be submitted from the letter-writer directly to the Foundation via the following link no later than October 1, 2026 at 2pm PT: 

https://hsfoundation.tfaforms.net/f/51PegbLOR


Letters can be from the applicant's PhD or postdoc advisor, a senior collaborator, or a scientific mentor. Letters of recommendation should include: 
  • The nature of the recommender's relationship to the applicant
  • The applicant's qualifications, initiative, and achievements relative to their circumstances and opportunities 
  • An evaluation of the proposed research and contributions towards building a stronger field 
Letters must be no more than three pages in length including salutation and signature. Any additional pages will be discarded. Letters must also be in 12-point font, single-spaced, and include page numbering.

Before requesting a letter of recommendation, applicants should discuss with their letter-writers the fellowship opportunity, the content of their application packet, and the letter submission process and deadline.

Please note: Because all selected host institutions will see the same letter of recommendation, applicants should also advise their letter-writers not to mention specific host institutions.