Empowering Scientific Excellence: The Two Sigma PhD Fellowship
The Two Sigma PhD Fellowship, now entering its seventh year, is designed to support PhD students driving breakthrough research in STEM.
Through significant funding and access to Two Sigma’s academic and collaborative community, the PhD Fellowship program is designed to help recipients push their innovative research forward.
In this article, we explore the PhD Fellowship program’s purpose and benefits, and how to apply to become a Two Sigma PhD Fellow.
Why We Created the Fellowship
At Two Sigma we believe in the transformative power of systematic research to address complex problems. This fellowship reflects our commitment to supporting exceptional PhD students whose ideas and work have the potential for real-world impact.
Our role is to ensure that the next generation of outstanding researchers will have the resources and support to pursue bold questions.
“Scientific excellence begins with opportunity, says Madalina Persu, a Two Sigma researcher who has served on the program’s review committee. “Our role is to ensure that the next generation of outstanding researchers will have the resources and support to pursue bold questions.”
Alumni of our program have distinguished themselves in academia and industry, holding prestigious positions at top universities, and pioneering tech and finance firms. These achievements underscore the program’s ability to amplify research careers.
What PhD Fellows Receive
The Two Sigma PhD Fellowship is designed to provide recipients with freedom and resources they will need to focus on their research. PhD Fellowship winners are awarded USD75,000 annually for two years to help cover tuition, fees, and living expenses, plus an additional USD10,000 allocated for personal use.
In addition to receiving financial support, PhD Fellows gain valuable opportunities to connect with TS researchers and mentors, who offer extensive expertise and rich career experience.
How to Apply
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled PhD students at accredited U.S. universities, entering at least their third year of study with two or more years remaining. We welcome students from a range of fields including applied mathematics/mathematics, computer science, finance/econometrics, physics, and statistics.
Applications open on August 15, 2025. Please submit your application by September 20, 2025, at 12:00 pm ET. A complete submission includes a research proposal
Next Steps
We are looking for researchers whose work exemplifies intellectual rigor, creativity, and the potential for meaningful contributions to their fields. Want to join the Two Sigma PhD Fellowship community? Apply here.
