Pivot Fellowship 2025 Application Guide
Are you a mid-career academic or researcher looking to take your career in an entirely new direction? If so, the Pivot Fellowship 2025 may be your opportunity to transform your research path. Supported by the Simons Foundation, this prestigious fellowship encourages exceptional scientists to explore new disciplines—opening the door to novel thinking, collaborative potential, and breakthrough discoveries.
To help you plan effectively, we’ve created a detailed guide with all the key dates, steps, and tips you’ll need to submit a compelling application.
Why the Pivot Fellowship Matters
First and foremost, the Pivot Fellowship is unique in its mission. Unlike many research fellowships that aim to fund ongoing work, this programme is designed to support a major change in academic discipline. That means if you’re curious about a new scientific domain, this fellowship gives you both the funding and mentorship needed to pivot confidently.
Moreover, by encouraging bold, interdisciplinary moves, the Simons Foundation fosters intellectual cross-pollination—a cornerstone of innovation.
Important Dates to Remember
Planning ahead is crucial. Be sure to mark your calendar with these critical dates:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | March 3, 2025 |
| Application Deadline (12 PM ET) | May 15, 2025 |
| Notification of Funding Decisions | Fall 2025 |
Importantly, no deadline extensions will be granted. Therefore, coordinate with your institution and references well in advance to ensure timely submission.
How to Apply for the Pivot Fellowship 2025
Applications must be submitted via the Simons Award Manager (SAM), where both fellows and mentors complete separate applications.
Let’s break it down for each party.
Fellow’s Application Steps
After logging into your SAM account, follow these steps:
- Click on “Funding Opportunities”
- Select Pivot Fellowship – Fellow – 2025
- Click Create Application
Proposal Tab
- Applicant Details: Update your profile, academic rank, and ORCID iD.
- Degrees & Application Info: Enter degree history and set your project’s proposed start and end dates.
- Scientific Narrative (6 pages):
- Explain why you want to switch disciplines
- Describe how this transition will impact your career and future research
- Use the provided template and upload the file correctly
- Summary of Previous Scientific Accomplishments (2 pages): Showcase your past work and expertise.
- Curriculum Vitae: Upload your most recent CV.
Contacts & Personnel Tab
- Add your Institution Signing Official and Financial Officer.
- Include project personnel who will appear in the budget.
Budget Tab
- Add one year of salary support, including fringe and indirect costs.
- Coordinate with your mentor on the $10,000 Fellow Research Fund—it must be listed only once.
Letter of Reference Tab
- Submit 2–3 confidential letters from independent research scientists (not your mentor).
- These should explain why you’re uniquely qualified to transition to a new field.
- Reference invitations will only be sent after you save the response date in SAM.
Final Steps
- Check Application Progress to resolve any missing items.
- Send for Sign-off to your institution.
- Submit your application before 12 PM ET on May 15, 2025.
Mentor’s Application Steps
Your mentor plays a vital role in your academic transition. Here’s what they’ll need to do:
- Log in to SAM and select Pivot Fellowship – Mentor – 2025
- Click Create Application
Proposal Tab
- Applicant Details: As with fellows, mentors must update all profile fields.
- Fellowship Mentor Plan (2 pages):
- Define the training plan for the fellow
- Highlight scientific culture, publication norms, and theory/experiment methods of the new field
- Explain how the fellow’s presence will benefit the new discipline
- Mentorship History (2 pages): Provide details on up to 10 past mentees.
- Curriculum Vitae: Upload your current CV.
Budget Tab
- Include the $50,000 mentor research fund, labeled as “Mentor research fund.”
- Coordinate on the $10,000 Fellow Research Fund, which should appear in only one budget.
Final Steps
- Complete Contacts & Personnel setup
- Check Application Progress, request Sign-off, and Submit the application
Pro Tips for a Strong Application
To maximize your chances of success, consider these proven strategies:
- Start early. This gives you ample time to coordinate with mentors, referees, and your institution.
- Use templates. The fellowship provides templates for narratives and mentorship plans—don’t skip them.
- Be specific. Clearly define how your work will transition and why the new field excites you.
- Focus on alignment. Make sure your mentor’s goals and your narrative show mutual understanding and shared purpose.
Final Thoughts: Is the Pivot Fellowship Right for You?
If you’ve ever considered stepping out of your academic comfort zone to explore new questions, new methods, or new communities, this fellowship is for you. The Pivot Fellowship 2025 isn’t just about funding—it’s about granting scholars the freedom to reinvent their intellectual identity.
So, whether you’re a physicist curious about neurobiology, or a computational scientist looking into climate change, now is the time to pivot.
Ready to begin your journey?
✅ Apply via the Simons Award Manager (SAM) by May 15, 2025, 12 PM ET.
