Simons Fellows in Theoretical Physics: FAQs

You are eligible to apply for the Simons Fellows program if you are eligible for a leave equivalent to a sabbatical, you will be granted a yearlong leave and at least 50 percent of the year’s salary is provided by your university.

No, only those with tenured positions are eligible for the fellowship.

Yes, the fellowship can support this type of sabbatical.

Yes, this is allowable.

Yes, this is acceptable.

It is not our intention to support biological physics with this program. However, if your work is within the theoretical biophysics area, you would be eligible to apply.

Applicants will be evaluated as theoretical physicists and in terms of their potential contributions to physics, and they must fulfill all of the eligibility requirements, but there is no restriction on the home department.

It is not our intent to support computer science with this program.

No, the Simons Fellowship cannot be used to match another external fellowship.

Yes, as long as your total salary, including foundation support for the period of the leave, is less than or equal to your academic year salary.

No, there is no limit.

Retired and emeriti faculty are not eligible.

The intent of the program is to support scientists at academic institutions. A scientist whose primary appointment (as determined by source of salary and level of teaching commitments) is at a national laboratory or other research institute but who has an adjunct, courtesy or backup appointment at an academic institution is not eligible. An adjunct faculty member whose primary employer is an academic institution and who is eligible on the basis of his or her research is eligible for the Simons Fellowship.

U.S. or Canadian citizenship is not required, but a grantee’s primary appointment must be at a U.S. or Canadian institution in order to apply to or hold the grant.

There is no limit on the number of times one can apply, as long as one is eligible for a sabbatical.

The grant is awarded to the Simons Fellow’s home institution.

As the grant is made through the awardee’s institution, one should submit requests for reimbursement and purchases as prescribed by the awardee’s department.