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University of Wisconsin–Madison

Schmidt Science Polymaths 2024

Posted June 29, 2023
To:Chairs and Administrators; Departments in the Biological, Physical and Social Sciences; Associate Deans for Research; College/School Research Administrators
From:Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Education
Date:June 29, 2023
Subject:Schmidt Science Polymaths 2024

Deadline

Deadline for Internal Review:July 27, 2023

Project Description

The Schmidt Science Polymath program bets on recently-tenured professors with remarkable track records, promising futures, and a desire to explore interdisciplinary research. The program aims to encourage the best “polymath” scientists to expand their research portfolios by exploring a substantive disciplinary shift soon after achieving tenure.  Each professor will be awarded $500,000 per year, paid through their institution, for up to five years to help support a research group through talent, such as three to four students or postdocs, and resources. These grants are intended to make possible the exploration of new ideas across disciplines, using emerging technologies to test risky theories that may not otherwise receive funding or support. They are not intended to relieve the researcher of pursuing other grants to continue their mainstream work, nor to be large enough to fully support a modern lab.

Amount per Award: $500,000
Duration of Award: up to 5 Years
Number of Awards: 10 in 2022

Eligibility

Schmidt Futures is looking for the most promising and innovative researchers who have a track record of thinking across disciplinary boundaries and who have recently achieved tenure. Eligible candidates should be innovative researchers who have:

  • Achieved tenure or equivalent status within the past three calendar years,
  • A remarkable record of accomplishment in area(s) of science and engineering,
  • A demonstrated history of pursuing and publishing results in more than one field,
  • A need for additional funding to enable exploratory experiments, innovative new lines of inquiry, and shifts of new research directions.

Applications will be judged based on:

  • The breadth and depth of the candidate’s work,
  • The quality, impact, and innovation displayed in the candidate’s work,
  • The candidate’s track-record of high variance thinking and approaches, as well as their capacity
    for creative new research or shifts in research directions given flexible resources
  • The candidate’s proposed research directions and projects as outlined in their application,
    including likelihood of success and significant impact, and expectation that the candidate’s
    research directions will change over time.

UW–Madison may nominate 2 candidates.

Website

The following link contains additional information on the program and specific application instructions:
https://www.schmidtfutures.com/our-work/schmidt-science-polymaths/

Internal Competition Application Instructions

Applications for Internal Review

To submit your application, attach a single PDF to an email to grants@research.wisc.edu

Please include the following:

  • Brief (3-page maximum) personal statement outlining the applicant’s history and how they meet the qualifications as outlined in the Nominator Guide and website. Please include past accomplishments and a description of potential problems or projects you might pursue if awarded. Please also reference the nomination form requirements and include any relevant information with your internal submission: https://web.miniextensions.com/RvtJm193I9iOq3XJmwwk
  • CV explicitly listing the year applicant received tenure (should be 2020 or later)

Sponsor Deadlines

Applications are due to Schmidt Futures by September 01, 2023.

Questions?

Contact grants@research.wisc.edu.