PhD Fellowships

The faculty nomination process and online application period begins on August 19, 2024 and remains open until 12:00pm ET on November 6, 2024. Referrals have until 12:00pm ET on November 20, 2024 to submit their letters of recommendation. Fellowship awards will be decided by March 2025. Fellowship recipients and their universities will receive an email and a letter of congratulations in March/April 2025.

All nominations for the Two Sigma PhD Fellowship must be submitted by the designated faculty member or staff member electronically in order to be considered for the Fellowship. The application link will be available on the website until 12:00pm ET on November 6, 2024. 

A maximum of six nominations per department will be accepted. As one of the goals of the Two Sigma PhD Fellowship is to increase opportunities for students underrepresented in technology, we strongly encourage that nominations include dimensions of diversity that remain under-represented in technology.

Unfortunately, no. The Two Sigma PhD Fellowship is reserved for PhD students who are currently enrolled in an accredited university in the United States.

Yes, Two Sigma PhD Fellowship recipients and applicants are welcome to apply for internships and/or full-time opportunities at Two Sigma.  However, doing so is not required, nor is employment guaranteed, as part of the Fellowship program.

Yes. You must be in at least the 3rd year of a PhD program in a relevant discipline when the Fellowship commences in the Fall semester/quarter of 2025 to be eligible for the Two Sigma PhD Fellowship.

Two letters of recommendation are required for each student– one must be from their current academic advisor, and the other must be from a professor in the department or related department who is familiar with their research. The second letter may come from a professor at a different university from the student, but this university must be located in the United States.

Payment of the Fellowship award is made as follows: (i) an award for two consecutive Academic years (not to exceed $75,000 USD per Academic year) will be paid directly to the university per university guidelines and policies; and (ii) a one-time award of $10,000 USD will be paid directly to the Fellowship recipient, subject to the conditions specified above. Runners-up will receive a one-time award of $10,000 USD paid to the Fellowship recipient directly which, as a condition of the fellowship, may only be used for tuition, fees required to enroll at or attend their university, and/or books, supplies, equipment, and course-related fees for courses at their university. If the Fellowship recipient is no longer eligible to receive funding pursuant to their university’s guidelines and policies, for example if they transfer to a different university or graduate program, the Fellowship award may cease. The Fellowship award will also be subject to agreement between Two Sigma and the university, and Two Sigma and the recipient, regarding the terms of the Fellowship award, and any applicable university guidelines and legal and compliance restrictions.

Application materials will be reviewed by senior researchers from across Two Sigma covering a number of disciplines.

Fellowship recipients are not subject to any intellectual property restrictions with Two Sigma. If the fellowship recipient becomes an intern or employee of Two Sigma, then they would be subject to the same intellectual property restrictions as any other Two Sigma intern or employee.

Two Sigma does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors.

Yes, the references are confidential – all references must be submitted directly by the professor or advisor through the provided link to maintain confidentiality. The letters will be reviewed by the Academic Outreach team and our internal judging committee.

No, once submitted, all application materials are final (references, resumes, transcripts, research statements) – no updates are permitted.

No, unfortunately due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide updates. If you have not received the confirmation email that we have received both of your references, please connect with them to ensure they submit by the deadline.

There are no specific criteria we highlight regarding the recommendation letters. We advise that your referrals essentially answer why they think you should be a recipient of our fellowship. That can include points about class/project performance, technical and/or soft skills, financial need, or any other areas they may deem relevant to highlight.

If you have any questions regarding the Two Sigma PhD Fellowship, please contact us at academicoutreach@twosigma.com. Please be sure to read all FAQs before reaching out.