NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP)- 2026

On behalf of the NASA Astrophysics Division, the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) announces the call for applications for postdoctoral fellowships under the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) beginning in the fall of 2026.

The NHFP supports postdoctoral scientists performing independent research that contributes to NASA Astrophysics (see https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/ for more information). The research may be theoretical, observational, and/or instrumental. If your application is successful and you accept our offer, you will become an NHFP Einstein, Hubble or Sagan fellow depending on the area of your research. 

The NHFP is open to applicants of any nationality who have or will have completed all  requirements for their doctoral degree on or after January 1, 2022 in astronomy, physics or related disciplines.  The duration of the Fellowship is up to three years: an initial one-year appointment, and two annual renewals contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of NASA funds. The NHFP is administered for NASA by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) at the California Institute of Technology and the Chandra X-ray Center at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

We anticipate offering up to 24 NHFP Fellowships this year. The Fellowships are tenable at a U.S. host institution of the fellow's choice, subject to a maximum of two new fellows per host institution per year, and no more than five fellows at any single host institution, except for short periods of overlap.  Host institutions must have verified their compliance with the NHFP employment policy.  The policy and a list of those hosts can be found at  https://www.stsci.edu/stsci-research/fellowships/nasa-hubble-fellowship-program/nhfp-host-institution-employment-policy/host-institutions

The Announcement of Opportunity, which includes detailed program policies and application instructions, is available at the NHFP website: http://nhfp.stsci.edu. The application submission page will be open from September 2 until the application deadline on October 29, 2025.

Applicants should follow the instructions given in the Announcement of Opportunity and also examine the Frequently Asked Questions linked from the main NHFP page . Please send any further inquiries about the NHFP to [email protected].

Important dates:

Applications are due Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (7 PM EDT, 4 PM PDT, 23:00 UTC)

Letters of reference are due Wednesday, November 5, 2025. (Note that the applications are due one week before the letters.) **Applicants should emphasize to their letter writers that the letters must be uploaded as PDF files by the November 5th deadline using the submission form. Letter writers will not receive an automated email with a link to upload their letter.

Offers will be made in early February 2026 and new appointments should begin on or about September 1, 2026.  NHFP Fellowships are open to English-speaking citizens of all nations. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.