Flagship Pioneering is offering a paid, 12-week summer fellowship in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for early-career scientists, technologists, engineers and physicians. Fellows work full time, in person, from 7 June to 27 August, and receive US$8,000 to US$9,000 per month. Applications close on 15 December.
This is not a normal lab placement. Fellows join teams that try to invent whole new companies, starting from a bold scientific question and shaping it into a plan for a new venture. If you enjoy asking “what if” and want to learn how science becomes a business, this fellowship is built for you.
Read this first: no visa sponsorship is promised
The official page does not state that visa sponsorship is provided for this fellowship, and you should not assume it is included. If you need a visa or work authorisation, check the rules before you apply, and ask the programme directly about your own situation.
Key details at a glance
| Organisation | Flagship Pioneering |
| Programme | Flagship Pioneering Fellowship |
| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States |
| Dates | 7 June to 27 August |
| Pay | US$8,000–US$9,000 a month |
| Who can apply | PhD or MD students or recent graduates |
| Deadline | 15 December |
What you will actually do
You will join a small team and work on one big, open question: could a new scientific idea become a company? You will read widely, talk to experts, run quick tests of the idea and argue about what the evidence means, with help from the venture-creation team. You will also use AI tools to search, summarise and test ideas faster, as part of Flagship’s “polyintelligence” approach to combining human and machine intelligence.
This is not a laboratory placement where you follow someone else’s project. You will be expected to ask the questions, shape the work and decide what is worth pursuing next, and to keep a record of what you tried and what you found.
Are you the right fit?
You are a strong fit if you:
- have deep knowledge in a scientific field such as biology, chemistry, physics or computer science.
- enjoy framing a problem from first principles and testing it.
- can work across disciplines, not just inside one specialism.
- are curious about how a scientific idea becomes a company.
- can explain complex work in plain language to people outside your field.
Think twice if you want a quiet research summer: this fellowship is about building a company, not running a single experiment for a supervisor.
What the pay means in real terms
The fellowship pays US$8,000 to US$9,000 a month, depending on your degree status, for 12 weeks. That is the gross figure, before tax. It is high for a summer fellowship, but Cambridge is an expensive city, so budget for housing, food and transport before you arrive.
How to apply
To apply, you need to complete a single online application. There is no fee, and no separate cover letter is required. The application asks for:
- Your CV, including your degree status and expected completion date.
- Your education and work history.
- Short answers to questions about your research and interests.
Read the full fellowship description on the official Flagship Pioneering page before you apply, so you can answer in its language. Apply early: the form closes on 15 December, and late applications are not accepted.
How to make your application strong
Your application should show that you can think from first principles and follow a problem where the evidence leads, even when the answer is not what you expected. Give one clear example, with a short description of what you did and what changed because of it.
Applications are stronger when the candidate has worked outside their home discipline, or has tried to turn an idea into something real, such as a prototype, a start-up or a public project. Say what you learned, not just what you did.
What happens after the summer
Flagship Pioneering does not promise a job at the end. Some fellows join a venture team full time, and others return to finish their degree. You should expect to be available for possible full-time employment by 1 June, and Flagship may contact you about roles after the fellowship ends.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a US citizen to apply?
The official page does not state that you must be a US citizen, and it does not promise visa sponsorship. Check the requirements for your own situation before you apply.
What degree do I need?
You need to be finishing a PhD or an MD, or to have recently completed one. The fellowship is for scientists at that stage, not for undergraduates.
Will I be paid?
Yes. Fellows are paid US$8,000 to US$9,000 a month, depending on degree status, for the 12 weeks.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. There is no application fee and no tuition charge.
Can I apply if I am not a scientist?
The fellowship is designed for scientists, and you need deep knowledge in a scientific field. If your background is in another field, this is probably not the right programme.
Related opportunities: EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships and Harvard W. E. B. Du Bois Fellows Program
